Big 12 presidents plan to meet this weekend to "address issues related to league stability," including expansion, according to sources cited by Jimmy Burch of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. Missouri officials reportedly will “discuss realignment options at a Tuesday meeting of its board of curators, with a possible move to the Southeastern Conference among the alternatives.” Interim Big 12 Commissioner Chuck Neinas said that “he expects Missouri to remain in the Big 12.” But even if it does not, league administrators “plan to expand from an eight- or nine-team nucleus without Texas A&M, which will join the SEC in July.” Big 12 presidents “are expected to be presented with expansion-related feedback during this weekend's meeting, with multiple options for eastward and westward expansion still under discussion.” Neinas Wednesday said that league officials “were open to the idea of adding another school in Texas,” and sources Thursday indicated that “TCU would be at the head of that list.” TCU sources “have confirmed that the school, which is competing in its final season as a member of the Mountain West, could break its commitment with the Big East without facing legal ramifications” (FT. WORTH STAR TELEGRAM, 9/30). CBSSPORTS.com’ Dennis Dodd cites a source as saying that the Big 12 “should not expand in order to maximize its earning power.” The source said, "If it were me I'd try to stay where I am. Nine months ago they had the same money for 10 teams. Is anything going to change if they have nine?" The source added that “with nine teams … not only would the conference get an expected windfall for its primary rights fees following the 2015 season, it would provide nine more non-conference games as inventory” (CBSSPORTS.com, 9/30). In K.C., Sam Mellinger writes, “Mizzou is the Big 12’s last hope for positive change. ... If everyone involved can remove emotion and ego they’ll see that the Big 12 can still be the best spot of all” (K.C. STAR, 9/30).
MOVING DOWN THE FIELD: In Memphis, Phil Stukenborg reports Univ. of Memphis AD R.C. Johnson late Wednesday returned from the annual NCAA Division I AD meetings in Dallas “with the understanding a potential merger between Conference USA and the Mountain West Conference for football is gaining momentum.” Johnson said that TV consultants "were intrigued by the merger of two leagues that would not play conference games against one another, but meet in a title game." Johnson said that the merger, “which could represent as many as 24 teams, would cover ‘five time zones from Hawaii to Orlando.’” Johnson: ''It probably wouldn't be 2012, but we are trying to move as quickly as possible. Not all of the school presidents have been (briefed).'' Stukenborg notes a mega-conference “would likely lead to enhanced television deals and marketing opportunities” (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 9/30).
NOT DONE YET: Univ. of Tennessee AD Dave Hart said that the SEC “will expand again and officials at each school need to have a number of frank discussions before moving forward.” He added that the addition of Texas A&M as the SEC's 13th team "was a good one … but the league's leaders must take their next steps deliberately." Hart: “I think a lot of the conversation is just where we go from here, obviously, because at some point 13 will not be the number” (AP, 9/29). Meanwhile, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney said, "To expand, we must make a compelling case for it. Right now, we can't make a compelling case for it" (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 9/30).
