The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[All-American]

I was assuming the B12 had seen this, but it is starting to become obvious that people in the B12 might not understand how life works so someone should put this on a VHS tape and mail it to them. They really want Houston?

They don't want Houston. They want 12. And they might have to take Houston to get to 12.

[Uncle Ted]

Yeah, this thread might be dead soon... I am guessing no school has eight votes.

Who would be added if the Big 12 went ahead?


There's little momentum to add four schools. So for now, Houston and Cincinnati are still the perceived leaders behind the scenes. Both of them have what insiders are terming "neighborhood problems." Houston is in the odd position where many schools in the Big 12 don't really want to add it but are increasingly realizing they probably need to.


The issue with Houston is that smaller schools around the league are worried about enabling the Cougars, essentially propping them up at the expense of their own programs. (Why would a recruit from the Houston area go all the way to Texas Tech if he could play in the Big 12 in his home city?) This is a problem that appears more prominent on the coach and athletic director level than the presidential level. On a smaller scale, West Virginia isn't enamored with adding Cincinnati for this reason. (This could be why South Florida has gained some buzz the past few weeks.)


For now, Houston and Cincinnati are still the favorites. But as we know, this can all change in a blink.

[...]

What are the Little 8 thinking right now?


The schools not named Texas and Oklahoma are in a unique spot here. If the landscape does trend toward four 16-team leagues, there are essentially 10 spots available on the dance floor. The Pac-12 (4), Big Ten (2), ACC (2) and SEC (2) have 10 total spots. But there's zero chance those would simply go to the 10 schools in the Big 12, as geography, markets and common sense wouldn't allow it. After Oklahoma and Texas, there's no other no-brainer addition that provides value to a league.


Adding two more schools next month would likely add to the long-term stability of the Big 12. Everyone in the Little 8 can agree on more stability, even if they can't agree on the teams. (To clarify, the Little 8 are Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Baylor, Texas Tech and West Virginia.) Without clear-cut destinations, would those eight schools consider forming a voting block? How much can they trust Texas and Oklahoma since they could bolt after 2025? The voting block is highly unlikely, especially with Oklahoma State and Texas Tech so politically tied to the flagship schools in their state. As one Big 12 source put it: "All politics are local. It wouldn't be in Northwestern's active interest to agitate Michigan. N.C. State can't create an anti-UNC block in the ACC. Texas Tech may not trust Texas, but they aren't going to vote against them."

http://www.campusrush.com/big-12-expansion-oklahoma-sooners-texas-longhorns-david-boren-2018459914.html

So UT and Kansas to the B1G. OU and OU-lite to the SEC. IState, KState, TCU, TT, and WVU can go to the G5s. And Baylor can go to hell.

Maybe Boren is threatening the little 8 6 schools to get back in line (and vote with him) or he will blow up the only P5 they can live in.

[falafel]

Monty is claiming Texas and the other little "t" texas schools, along with AZ/ASU, CO and BYU are considering forming a new conference.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Monty is claiming Texas and the other little "t" texas schools, along with AZ/ASU, CO and BYU are considering forming a new conference.

[old_gregg]

Monty is claiming Texas and the other little "t" texas schools, along with AZ/ASU, CO and BYU are considering forming a new conference.

[old_gregg]

although, if we could take bsu and csu with us, it would be great to screw utah state yet again with regard to conference affiliation.

[jay santos]

AZ, ASU, CO, and Utah probably have the luckiest conference situation in the country. They are the only teams in the country not in Southern California that can promise recruits they'll play a game in Southern California every year. I'm sure they are all itching to get out of that situation.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Why can't these morons stop talking about Arizona or ASU going somewhere else? It's profoundly stupid that anyone would willingly leave a place of security and saddle up with the biggest asshole athletic program in the country -- Texas.

[lambdacoug]

Monty is claiming Texas and the other little "t" texas schools, along with AZ/ASU, CO and BYU are considering forming a new conference.

Would that be Full, or Python? perhaps both...

[Green Monstah]

Monty is claiming Texas and the other little "t" texas schools, along with AZ/ASU, CO and BYU are considering forming a new conference.

Don't forget Nebraska.

[falafel]

Don't forget Nebraska.

Oh yeah. Their brand has not been improved by being in the B1G.

[lambdacoug]

Don't forget Nebraska.

I wonder if MU or ATM would be interested as well.

[All-American]

I wonder if MU or ATM would be interested as well.

Also, ND. And Bama. And the Patriots.

[Green Monstah]

Also, ND. And Bama. And the Patriots.

I call BULLSHIT!

[The_Douger]

Monty is claiming Texas and the other little "t" texas schools, along with AZ/ASU, CO and BYU are considering forming a new conference.

Why would any PAC schools leave to a significantly less stable league with Texas leading it?

We're never getting in to the P5. I have lost all hope.