Since the Atlantic Coast Conference extended invitations to three Big East schools - Miami (Fla.), Syracuse and Boston College - earlier this month, conference shuffling has been the hot topic in college sports, especially in the Big Ten. Gossip says the Big Ten may look to expand the 11-team conference to an even dozen. But, according to Minnesota Athletic Director Joel Maturi, the speculation is just that - speculation.

"We like who we are," Maturi said. "It's a situation where we're not looking to expand. We like the Big Ten as it is."

Many believe that an addition to the Big Ten would force the conference to split into two six-team divisions for football. In this format, the conference season ends in a high-revenue conference title game - a staple to many of college football's biggest conferences, including the Southeastern Conference and the Big 12.

"We're not looking for divisions," Maturi said. "I don't think that's something that is exciting for us in the Big Ten."

The Big Ten Conference held its routine offseason meetings in Chicago two weekends ago, but expansion was not a big subject.

"We didn't have any formal session about that at all," Maturi said. "We did a lot of informal talking - more out of a curiosity of what's happening in the ACC than discussion of expansion for the Big Ten."

Rumors of possible expansion has involved teams including Big East members Notre Dame, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers and Big 12 member Missouri. The Irish compete in the Big East in every sport except football (in which they are independent). In 1999, Notre Dame rejected an offer to join the Big Ten, but many believe that the Midwest powerhouse may reconsider if the Big East trio bolts to the ACC. Although Syracuse has already received an invite from the ACC, the Orangemen have always been considered a possibility in the Big Ten. Pittsburgh, Rutgers and Missouri garner attention because of their respective sports-hungry markets.

Decisions from Miami, Syracuse and Boston College are expected in June. Though many feel this will spur the Big Ten into action, Maturi believes the conference won't seek addition.

"To be very honest with you, we in the Big Ten have not talked about expansion in the nine months I've been here," Maturi said. "I feel pretty confident with the formal discussions that I've been involved in."