Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby yesterday reiterated that most Big 12 presidents and ADs "are content with the conference's current setup, specifically that there is no 'critical mass' for expanding beyond 10 schools," according to Max Olson of ESPN.com. Bowlsby, speaking at the conference's football media days, said, "It is my understanding at the present time that the majority of our presidents and chancellors believe 10 is the right number for us." He added, "I don't believe we are at a disadvantage relative to the playoff. I don't think one year makes a trend. We were very close to having two teams in last year." Bowlsby admitted that the Big 12 would "likely have to reassess its plans if the conference is shut out" of the CFP again (ESPN.com, 7/20). In Dallas, Kevin Sherrington writes instead of "forcing it, the Big 12 should wait to see if inter-conference politics wreck another league as they did the Big 12." For instance, if Florida State and Clemson "get tired of North Carolina and Duke running things" in the ACC and start looking around, Bowlsby "should show up on both doorsteps with roses" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/21). In Oklahoma City, Berry Tramel writes there is "no consensus" regarding expansion among Big 12 members and there "won’t be, at least not until some combination of Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas and LSU express a desire to board the Big 12." Tramel: "And you’re right. Fat chance" (OKLAHOMAN, 7/21). In Austin, Kirk Bohls writes realignment is "not on the Big 12's doorstep ... unless the league could pry a pair of schools from two power conferences where teams have not signed away their grant of rights." Neither the Big Ten nor the SEC "has such legal obligations, making them fair game." But the Big 12 is still "fighting perception that the league is down and a bit irrelevant" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 7/21).
WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH: In Waco, Brice Cherry wrote patience "isn't a bad virtue for the Big 12 to pursue." Expansion for the sake of expansion "is idiocy," and the league "can afford to be selective." With nine years left on its current TV contract, the conference "is relatively stable, some four years after its near extinction" (WACOTRIB.com, 7/20). In Iowa, Bobby La Gesse writes Bowlsby is "taking a pragmatic approach" by "not doing anything." He is "waiting to see if last year was a one-time deal or a trend," and it is the "right approach for the only 10-team league in the power five conferences." Bowlsby "is right," for now, as 10 teams "is working" (AMES TRIBUNE, 7/21). USA TODAY's George Schroeder writes the Big 12 "doesn't seem sure what it wants or confident of its position in the college football landscape." The "best thing that could possible happen for the Big 12 is to get back to playing football" (USA TODAY, 7/21).
A DIFFERENT DIRECTION: In Dallas, Kate Hairopolous wrote one of the "more notable elements of Bowlsby’s opening address didn’t come from his remarks." The slogan “Every game matters,” glared "predominately from the large video board behind him." It was "used instead of the controversial 'One True Champion' slogan of recent years, though the Big 12 has clarified that it still plans to use 'One True Champion.'” The '14 football season "infamously ended with TCU and Baylor as co-champions" (DALLASNEWS.com, 7/20). YAHOO SPORTS' Graham Watson wrote the new slogan is "a little more representative of what the conference is trying to boast with every team playing every other team in its round robin format" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/20). In Utah, Lafe Peavler noted the conference also added the slogan "Classic Rivalries with No Divisions" (DESERET NEWS, 7/21). In Oklahoma City, Erik Horne noted the conference "came under a lot of fire" last year for the "One True Champion" slogan, and as a result it "wasn't out front" yesterday (NEWSOK.com, 7/20).
