Big 12 to interview 17 schools about expansion, sources say

by **Pony Boss** » Fri Aug 12, 2016 5:49 pm

SMU could actually just do that second deck and get to 40k and that still leaves the grassy knoll

by **DanFreibergerForHeisman** » Fri Aug 12, 2016 5:51 pm

Isn't there a fire lane issue now with the new dorms?

by **JasonB** » Fri Aug 12, 2016 6:17 pm

If they add any it is going to be 2. UH and Cincy.

We have to establish continued excellence in football before we are really going to be part of the conversation.

by **smupony94** » Fri Aug 12, 2016 6:31 pm

Air Force enters the mix

@McMurphyESPN
Now up to 18 on Big 12’s expansion list: AF ArkSt Boise BYU Cincinnati CSU UConn ECU Houston Memphis NIU NM SDSU SMU Temple Tulane UCF USF

by **Terry Webster** » Fri Aug 12, 2016 6:53 pm

Cool. It is going to be a 28 team league. Should be fun.

by **JasonB** » Fri Aug 12, 2016 10:56 pm

smupony94 wrote:Air Force enters the mix

@McMurphyESPN
Now up to 18 on Big 12’s expansion list: AF ArkSt Boise BYU Cincinnati CSU UConn ECU Houston Memphis NIU NM SDSU SMU Temple Tulane UCF USF

No shot: AF, ArkSt, Boise, BYU, ECU, Memphis, NIU, NM, Tulane, UCF, USF

by **smupony94** » Sat Aug 13, 2016 7:59 am

UNLV added

by **DiamondM75** » Sat Aug 13, 2016 9:10 am

Could actually go bigger than 52k by expanding the east side second deck to the north and south. I bet there is enough room to actually go to 65k.

By then, Ford will be more than 22 years old, and we could tear it down and build a new domed stadium on the east side of 75.

by **DanFreibergerForHeisman** » Sat Aug 13, 2016 9:18 am

DiamondM75 wrote:Could actually go bigger than 52k by expanding the east side second deck to the north and south. I bet there is enough room to actually go to 65k.

By then, Ford will be more than 22 years old, and we could tear it down and build a new domed stadium on the east side of 75.

Hopefully retractable.

by **mrydel** » Sat Aug 13, 2016 9:32 am

Well why don't we just apply for the NFL and get our big donors to buy Jerry's house and tell him to get the Cowboys out of town.

We have plenty of ways to expand but personally I would like to see us sellout one game with our fans before this discussion continues.

by **gostangs** » Sat Aug 13, 2016 9:40 am

If we ever get P5 and need to expand, It should be as small as we can get away with - probably 42k ish. Dallas responds to restricted supply.

by **MustangStealth** » Sat Aug 13, 2016 11:49 am

Ha! Arkansas State.

by **mrydel** » Sat Aug 13, 2016 11:55 am

Well they crushed us the last time we played. They went to 5 straight bowls with a new coach every year. This is the first time in 6 years they have the same coached they played with the previous season. Yet we can always use the excuse that a new coach has to have time to develop his style and players to fit. They compete with or beat P5 schools. They have won their conference championship. They would bring the same market as Memphis.

Tell me why "ha"?

by **MustangStealth** » Sat Aug 13, 2016 12:41 pm

mrydel wrote:Well they crushed us the last time we played. They went to 5 straight bowls with a new coach every year. This is the first time in 6 years they have the same coached they played with the previous season. Yet we can always use the excuse that a new coach has to have time to develop his style and players to fit. They compete with or beat P5 schools. They have won their conference championship. They would bring the same market as Memphis.

Tell me why "ha"?

Seriously? Let's look at the criteria the Big 12 has publicly laid out.

Athletic department strength: 128th in last years Directors' Cup final standings, behind South Alabama, Louisiana-Lafayette, Pepperdine, South Dakota St., etc. Basically they are a pretty good mid-major football team, decent women's b-ball and that's it.

Fan base size: 23K average attendance last year. That's not terrible, but not going to impress the Big 12. Virtually 0 "t-shirt fans". Not a huge enrollment, questionable potential for fan base growth.

Media market size: They aren't going to pull in the Memphis market, and even if they did, it's only the #50 TV market. The 6th or 7th biggest draw in Memphis is laughable in terms of TV.

Academic strength: According to US News, #53 among regional universities in the South, comparable to Morehead State, Tenn-Chattanooga, and University of North Georgia. Not particularly impressive.

Reputation: This would draw a "Who?" from most casual fans.

Sorry, but they are in the same boat as Northern Illinois.

by **mrydel** » Sat Aug 13, 2016 12:45 pm

I just do not think we have any place to say "ha" to anyone else.