(10-17-2016 08:13 PM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote: I guess I just don't think any particular pair or quartet of schools is as important as the need to add strength to that conference.
Never underestimate the important of short-sighted self-interest.
Kansas State does not want to lose the visit every second year from Texas, they don't want to face increased competition from Houston in East Texas recruiting, they make a 3rd "no" vote in Houston. And, yeah, sure, in five to ten years the result may be that they regret that decision ... but this vote is being made now, the current President may well let the President in place ten years from now worry about that.
Some Big12 President doesn't want to hassle with the campus and in-state LGBT's and their allies, and joins UTexas and their TTech second vote to make a 3rd "no" vote for BYU. Doesn't really matter which one, stomach for a political fight is not a particularly abundant commodity among University Presidents in general.
Nobody in particular objects to UC, but Baylor, TCU, and OKState all object to flying their non-revenue sports teams to Florida, and so there are three votes against either of the U_Florida's as a pair with UC.
Not enough media value outstanding to add 14, and adding 12 does not yield any divisional alignment that 8 of the current 10 will vote for, especially with an inflated value being placed to shortsighed self-interest, and the result is a super-majority for "expansion" as a general concept, but no super-majorities in favor of any
specific expansion options available.