but is their bite louder than their bark? Let's take the Iowa-Iowa State example you mentioned early for discussion purposes. Let's say Iowa is included in this "new group" and is able to meet all the "minimum requirements." If Iowa State is unable to meet the "minimum requirements," then how much "barking" will the state govt be able to do? I am not even sure the Congressional reps for the state would be able to do much especially if it is no longer a federal issue (i.e. Dept of Education, potential violation of antitrust laws, etc).

I get what you are saying and I don't disagree that there may be some of that going on early on. However, I am not sure it will lead to anywhere or force the addition of the potentially "fringe" schools. Some states (i.e. LA and OH) are pretty much 1 (public) school states. I don't see those states keep their top dog (LSU and Ohio State) out of the group because other public schools are left out. Then there are states which are 2 school states. 2 school in the sense that they have 2 major public schools or 1 major public and 1 major private. I am not sure how much of a fight anyone will put up if a private school is excluded from the new group. For example, would IL govt be willing to keep Illinois out if Northwestern happened to be excluded from the new group? Would IN state govt be willing to keep Indiana and Purdue out if Notre Dame was excluded? Even the states with 2 public schools could be interesting to see play out.