The big 12 board of directors met in Irving, Texas yesterday to discuss a potential 2 or 4 team expansion. The directors authorized commissioner Bob Bowles to begin contacting schools to gauge their interest in joining the conference. Candidates being discussed include BYU, Houston, Colorado State, Memphis, Central Florida, Cincinnati and South Florida.
If the Big 12 does expand, its likely to be by 2 teams and not 4, and I think the only candidates with a real shot of being invited are BYU, Memphis and Houston.
BYU has boasted consistently successful college sports programs over the years, particularly in football and men's basketball. The football team has gone bowling each of the past 11 years, and has become a consistent figure in the top-25 polls. The basketball program has gone to the tournament 6 of the last 8 years, receiving substantial media attention thanks to superstars like Tyler Haws and Jimmer Fredette.
Considering football and men's basketball are the two highest revenue generators in college sports, BYU could be an attractive investment for the Big 12. The problem is they are not a great culture fit, as rowdy southern fans at schools like Oklahoma, West Virginia and Texas Tech likely won't mesh well with law-abiding Mormans from BYU. But BYU is still a serious contender, and will be examined thoroughly by the Big 12 in the coming weeks.
Memphis has had much less athletic success over the years, with the exception of a few good years in basketball under John Calipari. But the Tigers have made strides recently in sports like football, making bowl appearances the last two seasons and gaining national attention thanks to star quarterback and NFL-draftee Paxton Lynch. The Tigers also maintain a respectable basketball program under Josh Pastner.
Being in Memphis, they are a much better culture fit than BYU, and will be seriously considered if they improve their media market and athletic brand.
The most obvious choice for Big 12 expansion is Houston. The largest university in the nation's fourth most populous city, Houston has a great media market and would fit quite nicely alongside the other four Texas members. Houston boasts a strong football program, having risen to prominence under A&M coach Kevin Sumlin and continuing the trend under Tom Herman. Last season, the Cougars shocked ACC powerhouse Florida State in the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl.
Houston has the fundraising capabilities and recruiting power to compete in any sport. They are the clear expansion favorite, and should campaign aggressively on their own behalf.
-Beats