The Big Ten Conference started this expansion-talk mess but might not know how to end it.

Notre Dame is in play because it’s a player.

Texas fancies itself the “Ten Gallon Hat.”

Tom Osborne, Nebraska’s iconic and laconic athletic director, is Wyatt Earp — with a high noon deadline.

Kansas is screaming, “We can work this out … think of the kids!”

Baylor is the Waco Kid, Texas’ tag-along sidekick. When it comes to getting its story out, Baylor is also Gabby Hayes.

Colorado is, possibly, up the river without a paddle.

The Big Ten started it in December, dropping the bombshell that it was looking into expansion, possibly to 16 schools.

The Pac-10’s reported wish list of Big 12 teams is Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Colorado. Problem: Texas might not come unless it can take Baylor. This is pure state politics, but it could result in Baylor’s replacing Colorado in the equation.

Baylor’s new president, Kenneth Starr, the former special prosecutor once involved in the President Clinton-Monica Lewinsky case, this week reiterated Baylor’s resolve to keep the Big 12 together. About the same time, behind the scenes, Baylor officials were working to make sure they get to the Pac-10 instead of Colorado.

Academic integrity?

Oh yeah, that.

The Pac-10 for years has been dismissive in considering the likes of San Diego State and Boise State for expansion.

Scott said this week he “will not compromise” the Pac-10’s academic standards as he reportedly works toward a deal with Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.

Texas Tech is not a member of the Association of America Universities (AAU), an academic prerequisite for Big Ten inclusion. But is the Pac-10 OK with Texas Tech?

The Big 12 reportedly has given Nebraska and Missouri until Friday (or maybe next Friday) to decide whether they want to stay or go.

If Nebraska and Missouri waver, the Pac-10 will offer to take the Big 12 South. Parts or all of the Big 12 North (Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Colorado) could end up in the Mountain West — the reason that conference postponed inviting Boise State to become its 10th member.

So, the pressure is on Nebraska, and Osborne, the former legendary coach, who knows all about gambles — he once lost a national title to Miami by going for two instead of settling for a tie.

The stakes are huge.

We could end up with four 16-team super conferences — five counting the Mountain West.

Kansas is urging Nebraska to stay in the Big 12 because Kansas doesn’t want to be left orphaned by expansion. The betting money is that Nebraska won’t leave, but the odds are probably only 60-40.

Notre Dame, depending on whom you believe, could also save the Big 12 and the Big East by becoming the Big Ten’s 12th member, making unnecessary any expansion to 16.

Notre Dame maintains its priority is to remain independent, but that was a couple of minutes ago.

College football’s word of the week: “fluidity.”