Big 12 expansion news didn't change much on Thursday - happy with 10 is the conference stance - but Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds shed some light on how the league views Notre Dame.

The upshot, Notre Dame is desirable. Duh. But obtainable?

"I have a great relationship with Jack (Swarbrick, the Irish athletic director)," Dodds said. "I have really positive feelings about Notre Dame. The possibility of them being part of our conference would be a great discussion to have."

The Irish, members of the Big East in most other sports, prefer football independence. But the school undoubtedly will survey the landscape this summer when the new college football playoff structure is determined.

"That's going to impact their future," Dodds said. "They need to know what's going on there before they decide to make any kind of adjustment in their affiliation."

If Notre Dame wants to move, the Big 12 likely would welcome the Irish for all sports and offer a working relationship in football, games against Big 12 opponents and access to the Big 12 bowl lineup.

On other issues, Dodds voiced his support for a four-team college football playoff among the four highest rated teams.

"If you're doing a playoff, why not have the four best teams?" Dodds said. "If we don't have one from our conference, we don't have one from our conference. History shows that we generally do.

"Personally, I'm for doing these games outside the bowls, but it seems like the conversation is for using the bowls to get that done."

On the Champions Bowl, Dodds believes it should be anchored "stay there and build it." Where? "I have my preference, but I won't reveal it."

I'll take a stab. Cowboys Stadium.