“I would say that we are looking for members that will grow over time as we grow”, Bowlsby said, “that will bring stability to the conference and that have a high top end, will benefit from an affirmation with the schools that are now in our conference”. Now conference leadership will be meeting with schools. This is not a small inconvenience.
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Even if the AAC angle falls apart, the expansion ripple effect will mean other openings in other conferences elsewhere as teams shift alliances.
BYU hasn’t been in a football conference since they were a member of the Mountain West from 1999-2010. I would say, yes, it’s a forward step, it’s a positive step…. Boise State is a good football team and not much else. The football was awesome a few years ago (BCS win against Baylor) and bad last year (0-12). Most of that money comes from a 13-year television deal with ESPN and Fox that runs through 2024-25 and is worth $2.6 billion or more than $20 million per school per year.
The Big 12 was down to 8 teams in 2012 after the departures of Missouri, Texas A&M, Colorado and Nebraska for the SEC, Pac-12, and Big 10 respectively.
And so the Big 12 suddenly saw itself as vulnerable and poor. “If an opportunity for candidacy in the Big 12 Conference presents itself, that is an opportunity we will certainly explore”.
The Big 12 has had no shortage of suitors as it navigates the perpetually murky waters of conference realignment. UConn has the best non-football offerings, in terms of other sports like basketball and academics.
The Mountain West, home of Colorado State, has an exit requirement of one year’s notice. Expanding stadiums, investing in facilities and coaches. School officials have taken a quiet approach, contacting the Big 12 through back channels rather than publicly lobby like other candidates.
Who will the Big 12 add? The football has been mostly irrelevant but is coming off a couple of excellent seasons. They want the Big 12 to work.
“We worked pretty closely with the Rams to figure out what’s in his best interest right now”, Holgorsen said. “The University of Memphis continues to gain national recognition for its advancements in research, teaching and student accomplishments, and the Athletic Department is one part of that winning combination”. They’ve got a great coach in Tom Herman and a great TV market in Houston. But will Herman be here longterm?
The Big 12 has already announced plans to reinstitute its conference championship game in 2017.
“I don’t know how many head coaches have taken over a program and kept all of the assistant coaches, but I felt like that was important for our players with our players’ welfare, first and foremost”, Grobe said.
Six weeks later: “It was a unanimous vote to move forward by asking the commissioner to follow up [with candidates] … that had contacted us and expressed interest and to evaluate their expressions of interest and level of seriousness as well as the level of preparedness to go forward with us in a meaningful discussion”. “Our mission will not change”.
One would think Houston is an obvious choice due to the emergence of the football program, but who knows how Texas, Baylor, TCU and Texas Tech would feel about another Power Five school in the state competing for the same recruits.
Tulane – Sounds a little insane considering recent athletic success.
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Big 12 leaders have acknowledged that none of the schools most likely to be added are a natural fit.
