The movement toward Big 12 expansion is "going to ripple throughout the rest of the college sports world," as it "represents potentially the last major realignment for quite some time," according to Dan Wolken of USA TODAY. The opportunity for schools outside the Power Five to "jump the fence -- particularly as the financial gap has widened -- is going to create tremendous pressure on administrators." A source said that ADs and presidents "won't sleep until the decision is over because jobs will literally be on the line." Wolken: "It is also going to shake up several conferences" (USA TODAY, 7/20). In Dallas, Chuck Carlton writes for many schools, this "represents the potentially last chance" to join a Power Five conference. Big 12 BOD and Chair Oklahoma President David Boren "refused to identify specific candidates but said the Big 12 was not trying to actively recruit from other conferences" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/20). In K.C., Kellis Robinett notes no one "singled out any schools as favorites in the expansion debate." Boren said that all prospective schools will be "evaluated on six factors: strength of their athletic department, fan base, media market, reputation, integrity and academic standing" (K.C. STAR, 7/20).
WISH LIST: SPORTS ON EARTH's David Ubben writes the Big 12's decision to explore expansion "was a surprise worth celebrating" for schools like BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, Colorado State, UConn, UCF and USF. Sources said Cincinnati and UConn top the Big 12's "wish list" (SPORTSONEARTH.com, 7/20). FOXSPORTS.com's Stewart Mandel noted Cincinnati "has done nothing to hide its courtship," as it has "strong revenue programs and would make a logical geographic partner to current outlier West Virginia." UConn will "get more serious consideration than some imagine both because of its proximity" to the N.Y. media market and the "presence of its powerhouse men's and women's basketball program." Houston "may seem obvious to some," but Texas and TCU are "believed to strongly object" (FOXSPORTS.com, 7/19). SI's Pete Thamel wrote the leaders for Big 12 expansion remain BYU, Cincinnati and UConn. If the conference "does add four schools, there's really no standout candidate for that fourth slot." Houston has the "best program and television market of available schools, but there's still some hesitancy within the state of Texas" to allow UH to use the Big 12 to "potentially leap over current members" (SI.com, 7/19).
FLORIDA FOCUSED: In Tampa, Joey Knight writes while a "handful of schools (Houston, Cincinnati, Memphis) have made no secret of their desire to join the Big 12, others such as USF have taken a more covert approach with their lobbying efforts." USF administrators are "believed to be diligently working their Big 12 contacts behind the scenes" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 7/20). In Orlando, Matt Murschel writes UCF and USF "provide the combination of being located in a recruiting hotbed and are located in top 20 television markets." The schools already have "touted the value they can add to the Big 12 and will surely be doing their best to make strong presentations to Bowlsby" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/20).
FIGHTER'S CHANCE: Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby added that football-only members, like BYU, "are possible but not likely" (CBSSPORTS.com, 7/19). SPORTS ON EARTH's Ubben notes Bowlsby's comment eliminates "one big negative for BYU's inclusion into the league: a policy of not playing on Sundays that could have a big impact on several Big 12 sports and postseason championship schedules" (SPORTSONEARTH.com, 7/20). In Salt Lake City, Kurt Kragthorpe writes the "possibility exists" that BYU will "end up disappointed as the Big 12 sticks to its basic geography, but they have to be among the top contenders." When it "comes down to an evaluation of football tradition and the overall athletic programs, BYU should rise above the others -- or at least make the cut to two or four schools" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 7/20).
TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT: In Mississippi, Patrick Magee writes the AAC is the conference "most likely to feel the brunt of Big 12 expansion." But if schools from that conference go to the Big 12, it could create "an opportunity for multiple C-USA programs" to join the AAC if it "loses three or more programs." If the AAC "loses one, it may mean a chance for a single C-USA school." If the AAC "loses two schools, it may sit still at 10 members" (Biloxi SUN HERALD, 7/20).
