Big 12 to interview 17 schools about expansion, sources say

[ponyinNC]

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17281618/big-12-commissioner-bob-bowlsby-interview-17-schools-expansion

....Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby will conduct video conferences with 17 schools that have contacted the league about being considered as expansion candidates, sources told ESPN.

Sources also said it's "becoming less and less likely" that the league will expand to 14 teams. The most likely scenario is that the Big 12 will stay at 10 teams or only add two schools for a 12-team league with two six-team divisions, sources said.

Last month, Bowlsby and Oklahoma president David Boren said Bowlsby would be in touch with the schools that initially contacted the Big 12. The league said it hopes to make a decision on expansion by the Big 12's regularly scheduled board of directors meeting in October.

The 17 schools that will make their presentations to the Big 12 include Cincinnati, Houston, BYU, South Florida, UCF, UConn, Memphis, Colorado State, Boise State, Tulane, Temple, East Carolina, SMU and New Mexico, sources said....


Am I correct, or is that essentially the entire American Conference sans Navy and Tulsa?

The B12 is a clown show - cannot believe they are being this public and taking this long.

[okcponyfan]

there are i believe 3 mystery teams.

I still don't think they add anyone, the big12 just wants to feel some love and put pressure on espn/fox to get more money before 2025

[ponyinNC]

You know.. those teams make up a pretty good conference on their own. Swap out NM for Navy, and maybe add an Army or AFA

[mustangxc]

You know.. those teams make up a pretty good conference on their own. Swap out NM for Navy, and maybe add an Army or AFA

They listed the American (minus Tulsa and Navy) plus BYU, Boise St, Colorado St, New Mexico. Looks like we are in a solid conference.

[PoconoPony]

You know.. those teams make up a pretty good conference on their own. Swap out NM for Navy, and maybe add an Army or AFA

They listed the American (minus Tulsa and Navy) plus BYU, Boise St, Colorado St, New Mexico. Looks like we are in a solid conference.

Yes, solid; but, everyone wants out.

[ponyinNC]

they don't necessarily want out...they want more money.

[MustangStealth]

Northern Illinois has been confirmed as #15, but let's be honest. They aren't getting picked.

I would guess Tulsa is probably one of the other 2.

[RGV Pony]

I think Wyoming is one of the others

[MustangStealth]

San Diego State confirmed as #16. Just one more unconfirmed.

[ojaipony]

Go to 12, add SMU and Houston.

Done.

Easy.

The big TWELVE, should have TWELVE teams. Add a championship game, bring back old rivalries (Houston is of course obvious and SMU will rise with the B12 money and Chad Morries - already on the rise but this will push us over and will add to the strength of B12 bball).

Seems obvious and easy to me.

[Pony Boss]

Go to 12, add SMU and Houston.

Done.

Easy.

The big TWELVE, should have TWELVE teams. Add a championship game, bring back old rivalries (Houston is of course obvious and SMU will rise with the B12 money and Chad Morries - already on the rise but this will push us over and will add to the strength of B12 bball).

Seems obvious and easy to me.

Hope the Big 12 sees it that way

[ponyboy]

I assume we've gone into these conversations with a plan to add seats to Ford.

[AusTxPony]

I believe we have a plan for expansion to 45,000 when warranted, designed when we built Ford.

[Pony Boss]

I believe we have a plan for expansion to 45,000 when warranted, designed when we built Ford.

It can go all the way to 52k. Closing horseshoe into a bowl, additional deck on East side.

[TidePony]