According to the commissioner of the Big XII, Memphis is on the list of a possible expansion. But did not say when or if it'll happen. They seem to be 'happy" at 10, for now.

When asked if the University of Memphis would ever be considered a candidate if the league expanded again, he said, "I'm sure Memphis would be on the list of candidates considered viable."

And then there's this blurb (from the Memphis Commercial Appeal's sports writer).

2. Congrats to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl for securing an SEC-Big 12 matchup. Some Memphis fans may be miffed that there's not a tie-in to the new American conference. But make no mistake, the administrators at Memphis have every intention of improving football and someday getting the Tigers into the Big 12.

To top it off, Memphis' interim president Brad Martin, who is doing wonders on a temporary term, just unveiled a $40 million capital improvement to the athletic department. Most likely a new indoor football practice facility and the new men's & women's basketball practice facility. More news expected within the coming days or weeks.

cool story

(08-23-2013 06:13 PM)Psicosis Wrote:  cool story

And a true story.

Better than having him laugh, I suppose. Just kind of seems like a substance-free nicety that he'd have given for most schools mentioned.

So how long is that list? 30? 40 teams long? I'm sure half of FBS is on that list. Not a dig at memphis at all, just a big reach by the OP reading into the ambiguity of the statement.

(08-23-2013 06:24 PM)Kruciff Wrote:  So how long is that list? 30? 40 teams long? I'm sure half of FBS is on that list. Not a dig at memphis at all, just a big reach by the OP reading into the ambiguity of the statement.

I'm not reading into anything. Memphis may have been down in football the past few years but that's about to change. The atmosphere of Tiger football is at an all time high by the locals. All of the newly renovated suites at the Liberty Bowl Stadium (which has also been renovated) are sold out for the season. It's been pointed out by the doubters and even critics that there's a buzz around the football program for the first time in years.

Now, why would Memphis be on that list, which is most likely a short one at that?

- SEC territory

- Top 50 US market and a great recruiting market

- A major university of 20,000 students enrolled that is expected to grow to 21,000 by 2014

- A passionate fanbase (at least in basketball, but could also be in football)

- A major bowl tie-in (should Memphis be included) with the Liberty Bowl

- A growing academic and athletic endowment

(08-23-2013 06:36 PM)IofDaTiger Wrote:  

(08-23-2013 06:24 PM)Kruciff Wrote:  So how long is that list? 30? 40 teams long? I'm sure half of FBS is on that list. Not a dig at memphis at all, just a big reach by the OP reading into the ambiguity of the statement.

I'm not reading into anything. Memphis may have been down in football the past few years but that's about to change. The atmosphere of Tiger football is at an all time high by the locals. All of the newly renovated suites at the Liberty Bowl Stadium (which has also been renovated) are sold out for the season. It's been pointed out by the doubters and even critics that there's a buzz around the football program for the first time in years.

Now, why would Memphis be on that list, which is most likely a short one at that?

- SEC territory

- Top 50 US market and a great recruiting market

- A major university of 20,000 students enrolled that is expected to grow to 21,000 by 2014

- A passionate fanbase (at least in basketball, but could also be in football)

- A major bowl tie-in (should Memphis be included) with the Liberty Bowl

- A growing academic and athletic endowment

You're missing my point completely. Those are all valid reasons, but the article didn't say THE team on the list they said A team on the list. The list is not defined, so it is only right to assume that there is more than one team on that list, probably a great deal many more than one.

I can guarantee that Tulsa is not on the list, the only way they would be is if both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State were not in the conference. Tulsa was mentioned by the Big XII commissioner during their last expansion as a candidate and both put a stop to that real quick.

(08-23-2013 06:36 PM)IofDaTiger Wrote:  

(08-23-2013 06:24 PM)Kruciff Wrote:  So how long is that list? 30? 40 teams long? I'm sure half of FBS is on that list. Not a dig at memphis at all, just a big reach by the OP reading into the ambiguity of the statement.

I'm not reading into anything. Memphis may have been down in football the past few years but that's about to change. The atmosphere of Tiger football is at an all time high by the locals. All of the newly renovated suites at the Liberty Bowl Stadium (which has also been renovated) are sold out for the season. It's been pointed out by the doubters and even critics that there's a buzz around the football program for the first time in years.

Now, why would Memphis be on that list, which is most likely a short one at that?

- SEC territory

- Top 50 US market and a great recruiting market

- A major university of 20,000 students enrolled that is expected to grow to 21,000 by 2014

- A passionate fanbase (at least in basketball, but could also be in football)

- A major bowl tie-in (should Memphis be included) with the Liberty Bowl

- A growing academic and athletic endowment

Hmm by your own words you've described most of the Gang of 5 schools.

Just so you know, USF and UCF are hmm in florida, That's SEC / ACC territory. Both are top 50 markets and huge recruiting hot beds. They have double the students currently that Memphis has and are still growing. They both have passionate fan bases, Oh and their endowments and academics are both on the upswing in major ways. See how that works.

As for the Bowl Ties. I guess we all needed a laugh.

I have heard literally everybody in the AAC get mentioned as a Big XII candidate at one point or another with the exception of Navy, who have been thrown around about being a ACC or B1G candidate.

We should start a thread just for people to post hopeful stories about getting out of the American. These stories are going to come up all the time.

I just hope our AAC "land of misfit toys" family can all stick together awhile...I like this conference.

(08-23-2013 06:51 PM)mascotswinchampionships Wrote:  We should start a thread just for people to post hopeful stories about getting out of the American. These stories are going to come up all the time.

Most of the UCF / USF fans on this board hold the stance of "Hey! It makes sense! But ya right that would never happen" or "I'll believe it when they sign the dotted line"

There have been a lot of speculation dealing with BXII ucf and usf, but you won't see me tout it on this board. Louisville is enough to deal with as it is.

Every time a shool gets mentioned in an expansion rumor other schools are quick to jump in and pooh pooh it. Enjoy that you were mentioned Memphis. You have as good a shot as anyone else.

(08-23-2013 06:12 PM)IofDaTiger Wrote:  According to the commissioner of the Big XII, Memphis is on the list of a possible expansion. But did not say when or if it'll happen. They seem to be 'happy" at 10, for now.

When asked if the University of Memphis would ever be considered a candidate if the league expanded again, he said, "I'm sure Memphis would be on the list of candidates considered viable."

And then there's this blurb (from the Memphis Commercial Appeal's sports writer).

2. Congrats to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl for securing an SEC-Big 12 matchup. Some Memphis fans may be miffed that there's not a tie-in to the new American conference. But make no mistake, the administrators at Memphis have every intention of improving football and someday getting the Tigers into the Big 12.

To top it off, Memphis' interim president Brad Martin, who is doing wonders on a temporary term, just unveiled a $40 million capital improvement to the athletic department. Most likely a new indoor football practice facility and the new men's & women's basketball practice facility. More news expected within the coming days or weeks.

Expecting an announcement on Tuesday.

Seriously though, it sounds a lot like the commish is just saying what you want to hear. He was asked specifically about a school; why tarnish rep by outright saying no?

If I'm the Big XII I would want BYU and Air Force for 11 and 12...schools like Memphis, Cincy, Houston just don't fit in there...but that's just me.

Yes, I have heard Memphis mentioned from someone at UT, but they are one among about 7.

, we will get invited.... but..

when we get there the only teams left will be iowa state, tcu and northern oklahoma techinical college for women

(08-23-2013 07:12 PM)maccoog Wrote:  Every time a shool gets mentioned in an expansion rumor other schools are quick to jump in and pooh pooh it. Enjoy that you were mentioned Memphis. You have as good a shot as anyone else.

The Big 12 probably does want a championship game, their the only P5 without one. Also, the other P5 conferences probably want them to play 13 games like them.

The only question is will it be two or four teams from the east of the Mississippi?
Cincy
Memphis
UCONN
ECU
USF
UCF

(08-23-2013 07:15 PM)UofMemphis Wrote:  If I'm the Big XII I would want BYU and Air Force for 11 and 12...schools like Memphis, Cincy, Houston just don't fit in there...but that's just me.

BYU has already said no due to Sunday play among other things including the fact that they like having their own channel. (BYUtv)


Air Force already said no due to competition reasons.

Quote:Posted by Pony94 - Today 03:19 PM
Yes, I have heard Memphis mentioned from someone at UT, but they are one among about 7.

I believe you mentioned the seven as Houston, Tulane, Memphis, Cincy, Boise, Temple and UCONN. Correct me where I'm wrong.