PAC 12 Will Not Expand

[Dukie]

https://twitter.com/Aaron_Torres/status ... 4758115333

This really does feel like 1995 when the left-behind SWC schools wheeled through options (that were not really options).

[max the wonder dog]

But Big 12 plans to. Will we be part of a Big 12 2.0 or a crippled AAC?

https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/sports/college/football/2021/08/26/college-sports-kirby-hocutt-says-big-12-expansion-plans-under-way/5607522001/

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

But Big 12 plans to. Will we be part of a Big 12 2.0 or a crippled AAC?

https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/sports/college/football/2021/08/26/college-sports-kirby-hocutt-says-big-12-expansion-plans-under-way/5607522001/

If "The Athletic, citing an unnamed source, reported Wednesday that at least 15 schools, most from the American Athletic Conference and the Mountain West, have contacted the Big 12 to express interest in joining" is true it sounds like The American is potentially not as strong and united as it should be in this situation.

[shadowman]

This is terrible news for SMU.

The 8 schools left in the Big 12 now have no choice but to stick together and they are going to pick off the premiere schools from the AAC. We needed the PAC12 to have invited TCU, Tech, and Okie State, then the remaining 5 would have joined the AAC.

Now the Big 12 becomes the hunters. Make no mistake, these 8 schools with the Big 12 name and P5 designation is bargaining from strength not weakness.

It is being reported that search committees have already been formed and BYU, Cincy, and UCF are the targets.

SMU would be down in the pecking order. Houston is even hurt because they are in Texas. The Big12 will not want to add any Texas schools.

The most likely scenario at this point is that the Big 12 survives and expands and SMU is left in the AAC which will look much different (and weaker) without Cincy and UCF.

[ponyboy]

Assuming there are no irons still in the fire for the leftover 8 - which certainly appears to be the case -
I agree with you that the winds are not blowing in our direction now.

[EastStang]

As always the TV suits will call the shots as to who they invite. No history or rivalries count.

[ponyboy]

Politicians can be a factor as well.

[shadowman]

If the AAC is diminished and we don't get the call up, I would love to see some type of merger between the AAC and Mountain West.

Ideally, SMU, Houston, Memphis, and Tulane (perhaps even Tulsa) could break away and form a new conference with the top teams of the Mountain West. But a full on merger or alliance with all teams involved could work to.

[Water Pony]

If the AAC is diminished and we don't get the call up, I would love to see some type of merger between the AAC and Mountain West.

Ideally, SMU, Houston, Memphis, and Tulane (perhaps even Tulsa) could break away and form a new conference with the top teams of the Mountain West. But a full on merger or alliance with all teams involved could work to.

Although I admire Mountain West teams, e.g. San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State, Air Force, etc. and it could be fun, playing games on the West Coast, Pacific Time, might lower our game day visibility.

Sadly, if Big !2 poaches UCF, Cincinnati or others, P6 becomes even less likely for AAC with little promotion possibilities for the remaining schools.

[ponyboy]

Most of the schools you mention are Mountain Time, only one hour behind. But I get your point, WP.

[Topper]

I expected the Big 10 to poach Kansas and ISU. Now I don't think it will happen. BYU is the most attractive team out there so far as TV viewers are concerned. TCU and Baylor have no interest in another team from Texas, especially SMU. A wild card in this whole thing may be the date that UT and OU actually bolt. If they buy their way out right now wouldn't that put the Little Eight in a better bargaining position to keep Kansas, ISU, and possibly bring in BYU? If UT and OU wait it out for a couple of years, the Little Eight will have much less short term clout unless they vote in new members immediately.

[Charleston Pony]

I don't see any programs left in the "Little 8" that would add enough value to the PAC 12, Big 10 or ACC for any of those conferences to be excited about expansion. I do agree with those who have reluctantly admitted the remaining Big XII members are in the strongest position to cherry pick what's left of the G5 and Independents. If they are able to add BYU and any other AAC and/or MWC schools, I'd like to see the AAC truly become the "American" Athletic Conference by merging with the MWC and having a coast to coast group that could play regionally but ultimately crown conference champions with games played in Dallas, the logistical center of the conference.

[shadowman]

If we are left behind and the AAC no longer has UCF and Cincy, it makes more sense for us to look West. Memphis and Tulane could join in with SMU and Houston and align with the stronger teams in the Mountain West. Would make more sense geographically. If Cincy and UCF are gone, doesn't really make much sense to be in a conference with Temple, ECU, USF etc.

Would be open to a merger of both, but that would be a logistical nightmare. A more realistic scenario would be for us to leave the AAC with Houston and join the Mountain West. Hell, it worked out for TCU. Continue to grow and win in that conference, then the next time the deck chairs are rearranged, we could be in a position for the move up. Being centrally located is a huge advantage for us as long as we prove we can compete at a high level for a sustained period.

[Dukie]

If we are left behind and the AAC no longer has UCF and Cincy, it makes more sense for us to look West. Memphis and Tulane could join in with SMU and Houston and align with the stronger teams in the Mountain West. Would make more sense geographically. If Cincy and UCF are gone, doesn't really make much sense to be in a conference with Temple, ECU, USF etc.

Would be open to a merger of both, but that would be a logistical nightmare.

And it won't necessarily be the end of the world if that is the future--NIL has opened an opportunity for a school with the alumni wealth and engagement of SMU.

[EastStang]

If you could package Navy, Army and AF in the AAC with SDS, Boise, and UNLV, (BYU if Big XII is too stupid to offer) you might have a pretty attractive conference television wise.