One of Bowlsby's first duties is decide if the league should expand. With the addition of West Virginia and TCU, they have 10 members for the 2012-13 season. But there are several within the conference who want the league to expand to 11 or 12 for stability reasons and others who want the league to remain at 10 schools.

Industry sources told CBSSports.com if the Big 12 does expand Louisville would be its first target as a full member and the Cardinals would leave the Big East. The Big 12 also has hopes to try and sway Notre Dame to join the league, either as an all-sports member or just for as an Olympic sports member.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...y/18943073

I'd say Louisville is gone and congrats are in order. Notre Dame stays where it is, although where an everything but football invite is on the table they'll at least listen. Then its BYU, Cincy or Rutgers or other darkhorse for #12.

I believe 2012 is our last Big East season.

Louisville & Notre Dame as full sports members in the Big 12 would be nice....If Notre Dame goes olympic only then the Big 12 would need one more full member.....UC, BYU or Rutgers? Then they would need one more olympic member....Marquette, Depaul, Xaiver, ect.....Could Notre Dame shock the world and join as a FULL MEMBER? They should.

ND has its own seat at the table. There is 0% chance they take a B-XII full membership.

Then, what would be the point of having an 11-team conference for FB? Seems to me the only thing that would make sense for expansion is to 12, and a money-making CCG.

IF they do expand and "IF" they can't get FSU or Clemson then to me a "Nice" bridge would be Louisville-Cincinnati.

Glad I put this on this board...if I would have posted this on the main board it would have caused a "crap strom"...lol

Louisville and Rutgers could be the combination from The BEast that pushes the numbers, Maize. Gaining access to the NYC market would be huge for the Big XII...

The Cincy market, not so much. This isn't a slap at Cincinnati, or Bearcat fans. It's just a fact. The NYC market is worth far more than Cincinnati's...

WVU and Louisville's TV market almost match up. There's very little gap. WVU's TV broadcast footprint covers most of eastern Ohio and Kentucky to the west and south, and the jump to Rutgers broadcast area from WVU's isn't much different...

(05-03-2012 10:50 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  Louisville and Rutgers could be the combination from The BEast that pushes the numbers, Maize. Gaining access to the NYC market would be huge for the Big XII...

The Cincy market, not so much. This isn't a slap at Cincinnati, or Bearcat fans. It's just a fact. The NYC market is worth far more than Cincinnati's...

WVU and Louisville's TV market almost match up. There's very little gap. WVU's TV broadcast footprint covers most of eastern Ohio and Kentucky to the west and south, and the jump to Rutgers broadcast area from WVU's isn't much different...

That what I understand....was talking on more of a fan level. UC for myself is our chief rival...want to beat them @ every level but respect them & feel somewhat of a brotherhood with them.

(05-03-2012 10:50 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  Louisville and Rutgers could be the combination from The BEast that pushes the numbers, Maize. Gaining access to the NYC market would be huge for the Big XII...

The Cincy market, not so much. This isn't a slap at Cincinnati, or Bearcat fans. It's just a fact. The NYC market is worth far more than Cincinnati's...

WVU and Louisville's TV market almost match up. There's very little gap. WVU's TV broadcast footprint covers most of eastern Ohio and Kentucky to the west and south, and the jump to Rutgers broadcast area from WVU's isn't much different...

WVU is broadcast throughout the Western half of PA and right into Maryland/DC areas. Rutgers is broadcast in the Eastern half of PA, Delaware, NJ, and Southeastern NY. As you said there's little gap if any.

I say Louisville, Cincinnati, Rutgers, and FSU. No way ND joins any conference in the near future, BYU has too much Baggage, plus going West not feasible at present time. if to 16, then bring in two from Clemson, Memphis, Ga Tech or USF.
Football East division would be competitive and Basketball would Rival the current BE

Yes Louisville will more than likely be the 11th pick of the Big12, but WHO will be the 12th pick of the conference and WHEN??? I would absolutely love to see a FSU leave the ACC for the Big12, but I really don't think that will happen even though we are starting to see them state they are having issues amongst their finances amongst the athletic department. This is one thing that IMO would be a sure fix for sure for a financially strapped athletic department that has raised it's ugly head amongst the FSU officials of the ACC. Football is king amongst the Big12, and basketball is not far from from it IMO also unlike the ACC who could care less about the pigskin games on Saturdays, FSU would make their money back ten folds over in no time if they were some how persuaded to jump ship.

Also I don't know if Cincy has a shot for they might if others turn down the opportunity, but other than being a good gap filler amongst the conference it is hard to see Cincy getting the votes they would need. Rutgers is a legitimate candidate IMO laying right on the outskirts of NYC which is considered the granddaddy of all media outlets. It will depend IMO in what type of direction the Big12 will want to go for there are teams out there, but will they jump, and would the Big12 offer teams that might not appear to be on the radar as well???