[rmiller1959]

I'm tempted to make a bet that we still don't get an invite. The cards are stacked so high against us.

I'm counting on short memories and teams that have already made the move and see us as natural rivals, namely ODU in C-USA and Coastal in the Sun Belt. If the Big 12 raids the AAC for four teams, the reshuffling of the deck is going to be dramatic, and all else considered, we're more ready for the move up than just about any FCS program. We're certainly more ready now than Coastal is at present, and we are on par with ODU for stadium capacity and attendance.

[VAGolf]

I'll be honest...I don't think this means anything.

From what I've read, it only takes a majority of schools to request that Bowlsby explores options. However, eight of the current ten members are needed to vote any member into the conference. Last time a vote took place, three members voted against...TCU, Texas and Texas Tech. I have not seen or heard anything indicating that those schools have or would change their minds. Another-words, Bowlsby can explore all of the options he wants...but unless one of the above three schools suddenly supports expansion, none of this means anything.

I do believe that if nothing happens, Oklahoma will at least release a statement that they're exploring conference options. Not that it will happen. That statement may not actually come directly from OU either...it may just be leaked.

With all of that said, it is possible that OU has already privately mentioned this scenario to the conference and that discussion spurred the exploration.

[rmiller1959]

I'll be honest...I don't think this means anything.

From what I've read, it only takes a majority of schools to request that Bowlsby explores options. However, eight of the current ten members are needed to vote any member into the conference. Last time a vote took place, three members voted against...TCU, Texas and Texas Tech. I have not seen or heard anything indicating that those schools have or would change their minds. Another-words, Bowlsby can explore all of the options he wants...but unless one of the above three schools suddenly supports expansion, none of this means anything.

I do believe that if nothing happens, Oklahoma will at least release a statement that they're exploring conference options. Not that it will happen. That statement may not actually come directly from OU either...it may just be leaked.

With all of that said, it is possible that OU has already privately mentioned this scenario to the conference and that discussion spurred the exploration.

Most of the reports I've read since the announcement are making it sound like a reality. SI summed it up this way:

A source familiar with the Big 12’s thinking told SI.com on Tuesday that it looks “nearly definite” that the league will expand by two schools and “highly possible” the league could expand by four schools. This is major news, sparked in part by the revelation on Monday that the ACC will be launching its own network, leaving the Big 12 as the only Power 5 school without some type of television network. The Big 12 was getting left behind, and Tuesday’s decision is another definitive step to attempt to keep up.

All of the moves in conference realignment can be traced back to two things—money and television. And since the current cord-cutting cable climate isn’t conducive to the Big 12 adding a channel, the league decided instead to maximize its potential television revenue. When it came down to it, all the talk of the importance of round robins and one true champion seems kind of quaint.

[Purple Haize]

I don't know if Texas politics would allow it but I'd like to see SMU in the Big XII. It just makes sense. BYU would also be a nice add.
I'm still open to trade offers for WVU. Maybe swap Nebraska and WVU in The B1G? The Big XII affiliation is killing recruiting IMO.

[Sly Fox]

Not even Pony Fans believe SMU is under any type of consideration. But I wouldn't sleep on Coach Morris turning around that football program in the next year or two. Hopefully that starts after we leave Big D with a victory in our back pockets.

If they go the four team route, there is no way that BYU is not among them unless a miracle poaching from one of the other P5 leagues occurs. The Cougars joining the Big XII does nothing for us. So at most we are looking at three additions to make dominoes fall. rmiller1959's list is a pretty safe bet on the candidates. If they take two, my guess would be Cincy and either Colorado State or UCF. If they go four it would likely be BYU, CSU, UC & UCF/USF. They'll only take one school from Florida. Houston picked a bad time to be a major feud with UT. The Horns may be going along with exansion but any talk of the Coogs will be quickly extinguished.

All indications are that UT is not going to stand in the way of expansion as long as the Longhorn Network and its revenue remain intact. The leadership changes in Austin over the past year or so have really shaken up the school's perspective on the league.

[TH Spangler]

Interesting quote from the SI article.

“They’re going to open it up like an auction,” one Big 12 source said. “They don’t want it to be like they’re out there soliciting schools.

[Purple Haize]

Interesting quote from the SI article.

“They’re going to open it up like an auction,” one Big 12 source said. “They don’t want it to be like they’re out there soliciting schools.

LU to the Big XII in 2017

[alabama24]

Interesting quote from the SI article.

“They’re going to open it up like an auction,” one Big 12 source said. “They don’t want it to be like they’re out there soliciting schools.

LU to the Big XII in 2017

THere's your travel partner, Haize.

[VAGolf]

Sly is right about SMU. Assuming this is actually a reality, the Big12 isn't adding another school from Texas.

Cincinnati and one Florida school seems like a given. I would be surprised if they add two more...right now. However, if they do expand by four teams, I would expect to see BYU, CSU, and Memphis on a short list. I also wouldn't be shocked if they wanted to add a west coast program. So, long shots would be San Diego State, UNLV and Boise State.

You will also want to keep an eye on East Carolina. I would be very surprised if the Big12 extended them an invite, but they will make a very strong push regardless.

[ballcoach15]

B12 should add Cincinnati UCF ECU and one other school. . That would enhance LU's shot at getting out of BSC.

[Humble_Opinion]

If they add 4 teams from P5 Conferences, and after all the dominoes fall we are still in the BSC/FCS... we will know our fate for good. Not trying to be melodramatic, but if this goes down and we don't receive that long awaited invite, that will say quite a lot.

[alabama24]

Maybe we should go all "Big 12 Ready" and thereby allowing Coastal to get in.

[Purple Haize]

Maybe we should go all "Big 12 Ready" and thereby allowing Coastal to get in.

We'd be a better WVU travel partner !!!

[thepostman]

We have more money than we can spend. Go big or go home!!

[rmiller1959]

Be afraid, Mike Aresco - be very afraid. The list of schools clamoring for an invite looks like an AAC conference schedule!

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.co ... nevitable/

[mtaylor22]

Interesting about the Big 12 but I don't think it'll impact LU. Sunbelt clearly doesn't want us. MAC is unlikely and doesn't make any geographical sense for us/them. I can't see us jumping to the next tier to a place like CUSA or AAC.

25 years now in an entry level DI conference and probably going to stay there for a while longer.

[rmiller1959]

Not that the coaches are going to make the decision, but if the Big 12 expands by two teams, they would prefer Houston and BYU. I think they are the best programs available, but Houston won't happen in a league with four Texas teams already competing for talent in that state. I can't imagine Dana Holgersen voted for either of them, since I think he wants a nearby team for easier travel.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/sto ... poll-shows

[Liberty22]

"The conference most likely to feel the brunt of Big 12 expansion is the American Athletic Conference. So what does all this mean for Conference USA?"

http://collegead.com/conference-usa-21/

[VAGolf]

Cool article from SportsDay Dallas News. http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college ... ig-12-gain

They mention ECU.

Also, the situation for Sunday games and BYU is discussed. Has JB called Bowlsby to let him know that we'll play Sunday games?

[rmiller1959]

Cool article from SportsDay Dallas News. http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college ... ig-12-gain

They mention ECU.

Also, the situation for Sunday games and BYU is discussed. Has JB called Bowlsby to let him know that we'll play Sunday games?

Here's another interesting quote from the article:

At this moment, the AAC should be afraid, very afraid, with a half-dozen schools in Big 12 discussion. Could it set off a domino effect with the AAC looking Conference USA or the Sun Belt for new members? You bet.

Thanks for sharing this!

[Liberty22]

Governor of Texas comes out swinging for Houston

Big 12 expansion is a non-starter unless it includes University of Houston. @UHouston

https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/statu ... 3947892736

[Sly Fox]

He is the Governor and one othe state schools is an candidate. He wouldn't be doing his job if he weren't giving at least a token lobbying effort. I still say that I will be shocked if UH is added even though they are clearly the best candidate. You don't peck a fight with a bull.

Carlton is just throwing a name out there with ECU. They have nothing to offer the Big XII. The only thing intriguing to me from Chuck is the concept of BYU & Boise State as football-only members. I was thinking of BYU in that light but hadn't even considered Boise in those terms. The only down side to BSU is they really don't bring market to the table. BYU check all the boxes for football and frankly the league could easily work around the Sundays issue if they wanted to do so.

[rmiller1959]

The lobbying has begun. Even Tulane and UNLV are vying for consideration.

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.co ... he-big-12/

[ballcoach15]

I say we just lobby for an invite from Big 12. Skip Sun Belt, Conference USA and the AAC.

[thepostman]

We do have that problem of having more money than we know what to do with. So what if our stadium isn't anywhere close to ready. Get it done. Pay for overtime. 24/7 construction!