Big 12 Getting Bigger
In 2012, four colleges left the Big 12 Conference for other conferences and in return, the Big 12 only added two teams (West Virginia and TCU) which would, in reality, only make them a Big 10...but that name is already taken by a conference now consisting of 14 teams. Conference names aside, the Big 12 has seemed less than big in recent years as the conference has been arguably overlooked on many fronts.
Notably in college football, the traditional powerhouses of Texas and Oklahoma State have faltered over the past few years, not living up to their own hype. Though Oklahoma has remained powerful and the likes of Baylor and TCU gaining ground, the new National Championship Selection Committee has overlooked the Big 12 already twice. Most pertinent was in the 2014 season with TCU and Baylor as legitimate one loss teams being passed up because of strength of schedule and no conference championship game.
Now the Big 12 is looking to do something about reclaiming their conferencial legitimacy first by beginning talks about including a conference championship game but now also by looking to expand back to a 12-team format (or possibly even 14 but that is uncited).
The main question on everyone's mind now is which teams the conference will include as they seek to expand. I have the answer.
The Big 12 is looking for teams that are highly competitive athletically and that will bring in a big market or fan base for increased profitability. The two teams that will best fit this model (thought Big 12 claims no team is a natural fit) are BYU and Memphis.
Currently BYU is an independent school (not in any conference) but has made it known loudly that they want to be a part of the Power 5. As a private institution based on religion, their recruiting occurs nationwide where most schools usually stick to regional hubs of recruitment. Thus, they can bring in highly talented players and increase their competitiveness. In fact, the only thing hurting their current recruiting is the fact that they are not in a conference making it more difficult to win championships. It's a win-win. Also, let's not forget the contract that BYU has with ESPN for televised games which lasts through the 2018 season with a possible extension for one more season. Televised games are money in the bank.
As far as Memphis is concerned, my sole basis on this pick is location. It has been talked about for years that the South has the best high school football players and that region produces great athletes in all sports (expect maybe skiing) and Memphis would provide an outlet for the Big 12 to dive into that athlete pool for recruitment, something top coaches from around the nation have been trying to do with satellite camps (cough, Jim Harbaugh). Don't forget also that their high flying offense seemed to tear through defenses this last season including the Big 12's own Kansas Jayhawks.
To be sure that these two teams could bring a bit of edge to the conference, let's not forget the bloody ending of the Miami Beach Bowl in 2014 between Memphis and BYU. You do remember that one, right? If not, find the YouTube video. It could be the beginning of a nice conference rivalry.
Honorable mentions for the Big 12: Cincinatti, Houston, and (as an outlier) Colorado State.
Notably in college football, the traditional powerhouses of Texas and Oklahoma State have faltered over the past few years, not living up to their own hype. Though Oklahoma has remained powerful and the likes of Baylor and TCU gaining ground, the new National Championship Selection Committee has overlooked the Big 12 already twice. Most pertinent was in the 2014 season with TCU and Baylor as legitimate one loss teams being passed up because of strength of schedule and no conference championship game.
Now the Big 12 is looking to do something about reclaiming their conferencial legitimacy first by beginning talks about including a conference championship game but now also by looking to expand back to a 12-team format (or possibly even 14 but that is uncited).
The main question on everyone's mind now is which teams the conference will include as they seek to expand. I have the answer.
The Big 12 is looking for teams that are highly competitive athletically and that will bring in a big market or fan base for increased profitability. The two teams that will best fit this model (thought Big 12 claims no team is a natural fit) are BYU and Memphis.
Currently BYU is an independent school (not in any conference) but has made it known loudly that they want to be a part of the Power 5. As a private institution based on religion, their recruiting occurs nationwide where most schools usually stick to regional hubs of recruitment. Thus, they can bring in highly talented players and increase their competitiveness. In fact, the only thing hurting their current recruiting is the fact that they are not in a conference making it more difficult to win championships. It's a win-win. Also, let's not forget the contract that BYU has with ESPN for televised games which lasts through the 2018 season with a possible extension for one more season. Televised games are money in the bank.
As far as Memphis is concerned, my sole basis on this pick is location. It has been talked about for years that the South has the best high school football players and that region produces great athletes in all sports (expect maybe skiing) and Memphis would provide an outlet for the Big 12 to dive into that athlete pool for recruitment, something top coaches from around the nation have been trying to do with satellite camps (cough, Jim Harbaugh). Don't forget also that their high flying offense seemed to tear through defenses this last season including the Big 12's own Kansas Jayhawks.
To be sure that these two teams could bring a bit of edge to the conference, let's not forget the bloody ending of the Miami Beach Bowl in 2014 between Memphis and BYU. You do remember that one, right? If not, find the YouTube video. It could be the beginning of a nice conference rivalry.
Honorable mentions for the Big 12: Cincinatti, Houston, and (as an outlier) Colorado State.
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