If this is true, then the Big 10 has been playing everyone. I certainly hope that is not the case. If Notre Dame is the only team to join, it would make it awfully hard on NU and MU in the Big XII for the future.
I honestly don't think this is a ploy to get ND. The luster of that program has dulled in the last 20 years. If the Big 10 is hinging everything on ND, then they are dumber than I ever thought.
I think the Big 10 is serious about expanding to 16 teams. If they really want ND to join, they need to float the idea that they have already filled all slots, and are on the verge of making offers. IMO, that is the only way to get ND to join. I think it would be great to see ND left out in the cold, but I think if pressed, ND will join the Big 10 as a 16th team, especially if the expansion of the PAC 10 occurs.