Memphis did "not make the latest cut" for Big 12 expansion, as the conference "trimmed its group of potential candidates by one-third, leaving 11 schools" still being considered, according to sources cited by McMurphy & Trotter of ESPN.com. Memphis was "once considered a viable Big 12 expansion candidate in part because of its backing by FedEx." The 11 schools still being considered are Air Force, BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, UConn, Colorado State, Houston, Rice, USF, SMU and Tulane. The list does "not include Temple, which had been previously reported ... as still being in the mix." Sources said that reps from each of those schools will "make in-person presentations to Big 12 officials" this week in Dallas. The conference has said that it "hopes to make a decision on expansion by the Big 12's regularly scheduled" BOD meeting on Oct. 17. FedEx Chair Fred Smith, who was a "huge proponent" of Memphis' bid, declined to comment on the school "being out of the running" (ESPN.com, 9/2).
MAJOR SETBACK? In Memphis, Stukenborg & Williams wrote it "would be a major setback" for the school and for UM President David Rudd, who made a Power Five conference berth a "priority of his presidency." With the "support of FedEx, a rising football program, and multimillion-dollar upgrades to facilities, Memphis was seen as a strong contender, particularly if the Big 12 added four rather than two schools." However, it "appears the Big 12's finalist list places an emphasis on academics, a widely discussed weakness" of Memphis and "one that may have doomed its bid" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 9/3). Also in Memphis, Geoff Calkins wrote the school not being considered for Big 12 expansion is a "slap in the face to the university, to FedEx" and to Rudd. Calkins: "It's a public humiliation." The "best guess is that Memphis's academic reputation got in the way." It may also be "true that some were turned off by the open support of FedEx," as critics "turned that into an effort by Memphis to 'buy' its way into the conference." Now Big 12 school presidents can proclaim they are "above that sort of dirty commerce, even as they gouge ESPN and Fox for more television bucks." Calkins: "Rudd staked his reputation -- and the university's reputation -- on this effort. He ultimately lost big" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 9/3).
LOOKING FOR SUPPORT: Oklahoma State booster T. Boone Pickens said that he "got a phone call about expansion from former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, a BYU graduate." However, Pickens said that if he "got his wish," the Big 12 would add Houston and SMU -- not BYU (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 9/5).
PICKING UP THE PIECES: In Salt Lake City, Steve Luhm noted the Mountain West is "expected to consider expanding, with a possible eye on the state of Texas." MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson said, "There are still a couple of Mountain West institutions engaged, so we'll see what happens. But I can say this. ... We have a lot of people saying, 'If there's an opportunity to be in your league, we're interested.' So there are numbers there." He added, "If we're expanding, we're going east." Thompson said that in the end the MWC's goal "is to be the best Group of 5 conference in the country" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 9/4).
