Current state of the conference
So the Big 12 needs at least two teams quick. There are quite a few viable options out there from conferences outside the power 5 (Big 12, Big 10, ACC, SEC, and Pac-12). I am going to break these down in order of who I think the Big 12 should extend an invite to. I'm typically going to be talking strictly football here but I might mention other sports. Let's start off with some honorable mentions.
The Oklahoma/Texas Grab Bag
The Big 12 is centered around Texas and Oklahoma. not just the teams, but the regions. Their headquarters is in Dallas. Their basketball championship frequents Oklahoma City. Six of the conferences 10 schools are located in those two states. It would make sense to add teams from the region. That being said the region is kind of tapped. Not many viable expansion candidates are left. I know certain people would love to revive part of the Southwest Conference and bring in Houston, Rice, and SMU I just don't see it happening outside of maybe Houston. Still though, given time a school from the region may just be a viable candidate.
UConn
UConn is interesting. They are almost like a major free agent without a home. Currently they reside in the American Athletic Conference after the Big East decided to drop football. UConn is a large school in a great market with a very strong basketball team. Adding them to the Big 12 would give the conference a huge basketball boost. The major problem is how far they are from the Big 12. If you thought West Virginia was out there UConn would be insane. This team seems like a better fit for the ACC, if it ever gets that invite it's after.
Notre Dame
Stop right there. I know what your thinking. Notre Dame is never going to become a full member of any conference. Notre Dame just signed a partnership with the ACC. Notre Dame would rather join them or the Big 10 before the Big 12. I know all of this. But if the Big 12 wanted to make a huge impact Notre Dame would be the biggest. Instant brand recognition, a national TV market, and a huge fan base. Not only that but Notre Dame would be ready to compete in every sport. It's not going to happen, but if it did I think it would be a very nice fit.
#10 Northern Illinois
Kind of out of left field, I know. Northern Illinois would be a nice addition to the conference in my eyes. I know most MAC teams are pretty content with where they are at. But this team could contribute pretty quickly. In football they bring a competent team that has more wins in the past couple years than Iowa State has maybe ever. All joking aside Iowa State is a team they have beaten recently. Plus they fit into my favorite motto when it comes to expansion. "They have to be better than Kansas right?" What I mean by that is this team would by no means be the bottom feeder in football and switch Kansas with TCU means the same in basketball. If they can out perform teams already in the conference what's keeping them from getting in? School size, probably. But a move east could not hurt the Big 12 at all. West Virginia's travel budget would like it.
#9 South Florida
Ok so, they're not quite a bottom feeder...right? This team has seen success in football, even though it's been a while. Also while holding a decent hold in basketball. Couple that with their large growth and TV market this would not be a bad addition. Plus as I've stated before a move east could be beneficial.
#8 East Carolina
It doesn't get much more east than this! East Carolina is a team on the rise in all major sports. Especially football where they have had a knack for knocking off ACC teams for years. Couple that with another decent TV market and you have another buddy for West Virginia.
#7 Memphis
Blah blah move east blah blah. I'm serious here, people! East is the way to go, fill in the area between West Virginia and the rest of the conference! Memphis is a team with a decent hold in football and a large following in basketball. If the Big 12 really wanted to bolster their basketball ranks here's a great fit. Once again you're looking at a good TV market and a great fan base.
#6 Colorado State
Oh NOW we're moving west. While I think the future of the Big 12 would be better off in the east I can't ignore teams in the west. Colorado State is primed for a move up. Both major sports perform very well. Colorado is a state the Big 12 has had success with before. Let's also not forget that with this addition the Big 12 would once again have the best team in Colorado.
#5 Marshall
You really want to help West Virginia out? Add a team they can get to on foot. Marshall is already a rival of West Virginia. They're in the same state. They have name recognition, and a pretty good football team. This would certainly be a step up from West Virginia's current rivalry week game with Iowa State. Marshall may seem out of the ordinary but I think if the Big 12 follows my lead they would be just fine in the "East" division.
#4 Boise State
Oh boy, Boise State. America's darling underdog who became America's thorn in the side when it turned out they weren't a flash in the pan. This team would be able to compete right away in football. Their basketball team is approaching respectability. They have a complete hold on their region. The only things against them are the small size of their school and the lack of a viable TV market. Speaking strictly sports, and not money, I would love to see this team get a shot at a power 5 conference. Pac-12 may be a better fit but they're not expanding...yet.
#3 UCF
Central Florida needs to move up and now. They have great teams in both major revenue sports. They have a great TV market in Orlando. They can recruit Florida, which is a state loaded with options. To be honest every compliment I've given above can apply here. And before you yell it at me..yes..it would be a nice move east.
#2 BYU
Well this must have been obvious. BYU is sort of like Notre Dame in a way. They are not a full member of any conference. They have a national fan base. They can recruit just about anywhere. What sets them apart though is they would benefit from a conference. BYU has been in conferences before and probably will be in the future. It would be mutually beneficial to the Big 12 and BYU to pair up. Plus, BYU has already stated they would love to join the Big 12.
#1 Cincinnati
Finally, everything I want for the Big 12 in one team. Excellent in many sports, in the middle of a recruiting pipeline, great fan base, large TV market. Not only that but they've been in a major conference in the Big East and won championships there. Cincinnati is ready to reclaim it's spot in the big time and the Big 12 is the perfect fit. Look back on this article in 2 years and tell me I called this one.
So, there you have it. Listen up Big 12! I could have kept going honestly. Maybe a team from a major conference would jump ship? Florida State and Clemson were rumored at one point. Maybe a team from FCS could make the jump. Like Northern Iowa, North Dakota State, Montana, or Montana State. I know it sounds absurd but give them a few years. It can be done, see: State, Boise and F, US. I hope you enjoyed my speculation as much as I did writing it. Who knows maybe I'll talk sports more in the future.
UPDATE: I wrote this article on December 17. Scheduled it to come out December 26. Well according to this article on December 19 I am totally right and handsome.
UPDATE: I wrote this article on December 17. Scheduled it to come out December 26. Well according to this article on December 19 I am totally right and handsome.
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