The last thing that the Big Ten teams want is Nebraska arising from the dead and becoming a real threat to win games every year. Nobody in the Big Ten wants to play a Nebraska team that is as good or better than Wisconsin, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, etc. If Frost, the hottest coach hire in the country, is successful in resurrecting Husker football, then every other program in the conference is threatened. The Big Ten wanted NU when we were NOT perceived to be a real challenger to the conference elites but did bring with it a strong national brand and big fan base and following to help the lessers sell lots of tickets etc. The Big Ten wanted Nebraska's image and fan appeal but without the real power. They wouldn't have wanted us in 1997 I am quite sure. So Yes, there are plenty of reasons or motivations for the Big Ten powers that be to manipulate things to keep Nebraska down. I feel the home and away schedule we've faced since we joined is strong evidence that the other members want every advantage over us that they can get.
Right now, the have us exactly where they want us in my view. We bought half the tickets to Northwestern's 'home coming' game for pete's sake. That is great. Nationally, we have lots of fans who will tune in to see the Huskers but wouldn't have cared if NW were playing Rutgers. Once the 'splash' of the Frost hire has dissipated, then it will benefit the Big Ten to have the Huskers make a few small waves now and then but don't bet on any titles anytime soon if the Ohio States, Michigans, Wiscy and PSU insiders have any say in it. Conspiracy theory: maybe but with literally billions of dollars at stake, for the conference elites, it seems unlikely they will leave anything to chance. We left the Big 12 because UT was 'fixing' things to their advantage.
As for bowl slots, the Big Ten is guaranteed so many and it matters little whether NU gets one as one of the other teams will gladly participate. It seems quite logical to me that the Big Ten will be quite pleased to keep the Huskers in the middle or back of the pack when it comes to football championships. I am sure it grinds on the Big Ten that we might keep Penn State and Wiscy and Minne from owning the volleyball titles but having NU keeping women's VB in the national spotlight is quite helpful.