RE: Big 12 Expansion
If the original premise is that Cincy is a lock for #11, then #12 chances I would rank in this order
1. Memphis
+ builds bridge to Cincy and WV.
+Good at basketball
+ adds a new market in Tenn and south
+ Big financial backer in FedEx
+ already existing big FB stadium
- traditionally bad at football and low FB attendance although had a good year in 2014
- will always be below Volunteers, Titans, Grizzlies in fan support, but have potential to be #2 school in state in fan support.
- low academic rating compared to other B12 schools
2. BYU football only
+ strong FB history, 60k attendance, national following,
- cultural issues, no play on Sunday, tv rights issues
3. UCF
+ strong market and recruiting area
+ big university with huge number of alumni
+ big stadium, 40k+ attendance
- not geographically close to any B12 schools.
- ar best 3rd in fan support behind Gators and FSU.
4. USF
same reasons as UCF, just UCF is more trendy pick right now.
5,6. Colorado State, New Mexico
Share a border with B12 schools.
7,8 Tulane, Rice
Private schools in the neighborhood with strong academics
9, 10. Houston, UTSA
Schools that would be good candidates except the B12 already has 4 schools in Texas
11, 12, Boise St, Uconn,
Geographic outliers that would be strong candidates if they were closer
13, 14, 15, 16, NIU, Mizzou St, La Tech, NDSU
Schools that make geographic sense but not ready for P5 football
17, 18 19 SDSU, Hawaii, ECU
Geographic outliers that would be considered if closer
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