USA TODAY International Edition
10 schools that expanding Big 12 should consider
The Big 12 has announced it would pursue expansion. The race is wide open because it could go in any number of directions.
Is it four or two? East or West? Does it make a play in Florida for recruiting purposes? How does Brigham Young, given its prohibition on competing on Sundays, figure in?
Nothing is certain, but here are some obvious directions for the Big 12 to look at in the coming weeks ( listed in alphabetical order):
Boise State: If this were a merit- based discussion on winning football over the last decade, the Broncos would win in a landslide. But Boise isn’t an attractive market, and it is geographically remote for most of the Big 12. The academic reputation of the school doesn’t help.
BYU: Has a strong brand, the best football history of any available school and a national following. But Brigham Young University would create another geographic island unless it’s paired with another school in the West. Not playing on Sundays is an issue in lots of sports besides football, though football- only expansion is on the table. Central Florida: This is a pure upside play, especially since its run of football success came to a screeching halt last year. Overall, the athletics department has underperformed and its fan base is not as strong as you’d like despite growing enrollment. Provides the Orlando TV market and Florida recruiting potential.
Cincinnati: Former school president Santa Ono spent a significant amount of time courting the Big 12. This former Big East member has lots of pluses and has been nationally competitive in football and basketball. Would provide a geographic partner for West Virginia. Colorado State: The university profile fits with the Iowa States and Kansas States of the world, but does the athletics program? Colorado State hasn’t been relevant nationally in much of anything for a long time, but it’s building a football stadium. Does geography here help or hurt?
Connecticut: Obviously the pedigree of its men’s and women’s basketball programs would be a big plus for the Big 12. How much does basketball matter in this decision? Does a foothold in New England or New York move the needle for a Texas- based league? If you thought Morgantown was a pain, sending nonrevenue sports from Texas to Storrs is even less ideal.
Houston: Made a major impression in football last year by winning the Peach Bowl and paying coach Tom Herman $ 3 million a year to stay. Has aggressively worked on facilities and fundraising. The major hurdle is whether Texas, TCU, Texas Tech, Baylor, etc., want to elevate another in- state school and add a potential recruiting competitor.
Memphis: Would plant a flag in Southeastern Conference country and bring a solid TV market and fertile recruiting area. Has had recent ( though not sustained) football success, a national basketball brand and the trump card: its affiliation with FedEx, which would like to be a major sponsor for the Big 12 if Memphis is included. Lack of academic heft might be a negative. South Florida: Has never really fulfilled its potential, but — like Central Florida — it’s in a major market. If the Big 12 doesn’t think adding the fourth- and fifth- most popular programs in Florida would significantly impact its recruiting in the state, it should probably look elsewhere.
Tulane: Here’s an interesting wild card. Why? Academics and market. New Orleans fits geographically, and the Tulane reputation could help offset another choice with lesser academic credentials. Plus, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby and current Tulane athletics director Troy Dannen are close, as they both started their careers at Northern Iowa.