OK, had a day to marinate over the CSU to Big10 "rumor." Since we are in the world of hypotheticals here, let's run with it for a small moment. Assuming UConn is 15 and CSU is 16, here's a Michigan fan's thoughts.
A fan perspective: Not exciting at all. No name brand recognition, no traditions that I know of, no history with any Big10 school at all. Adding 2 and staying at 2 divisions would push those original Big10 schools even further apart. only 2 crossover games? Either that or go to pods (not sure how that would be better). Giving that up for an Oklahoma, Texas, or even a Tennessee might be worth it. UConn wouldn't be worth it for football, but the basketball would more than make up for it. CSU? Eh, not so much. It would be worse for a Nebraska or Wisconsin. Very few games against Michigan, OSU, and PSU would make for a pretty lousy home schedule. Pods would be even worse: Nebraska would probably be put with Iowa, CSU, and Minnesota. Not a great slate. No, it would not excite me at all. I would rather have Houston for the recruiting territory.
Now, from a CR/money perspective: intriguing. If you are hell bent to expand by the next contract, CSU would be the a good partner with UConn. No GoR to get around, ready to go at a moments notice, and in a pretty good size market. There are many Big10 alumni in the Denver area (they are all over the place) that would make getting the BTN on Denver TV somewhat easy. CSU is a great research school mentioned in the same breath as VT, Georgia, ASU, Oregon St, and UConn as potential AAU members if they add. With The Buffalos being the hot mess athletically as they are right now, CSU has a chance to pull even with and even surpass them as the premier college athletic program in the state.
Who knows? They may be just what the doctor ordered. I just don't see it.