(09-03-2021 08:04 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 07:57 AM)GoBuckeyes1047 Wrote:  https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/big-...ttmcmurphy

Notes of Interest:

• BYU could join as soon as 2022
• All sports members prefered and not football only
• All 4 Teams could join before OU and UT leave for SEC
• Boise St., Memphis, SMU, and USF also considered
• Decision based 75% football, 25% basketball
• 16 team league not realistic, 10 team league not likely
  

To me, I think if BYU were to decline, Memphis should be the next team to be invited.

A few things:

1) I think an expansion announcement is coming sooner rather than later and that these are the targeted four. IMO there is too much smoke here.

2) Not surprising at all to me that BYU is the #1 candidate. Not sure why others doubt that.

3) If BYU declines, I do not think Memphis comes next.

4) If expansion announcements are made this month, this greases the skids for an early TX/OU exit to the SEC. Heck, it might be coming *because* there may already have been talks with TX and OU heading in that direction now.

Just MO.

They didn't seriously consider the military academies, Rice, Tulane, UConn or Colorado St. I guess they weren't into projects. Colorado St. has not performed in football on a consistent basis, so they probably have low TV ratings.

Its monetary. They aren't looking much at the intangibles, just "“...TV audience, football relevancy and certainly market size is a factor,” a source said. “Men’s basketball brand also is extremely important. ..."

(09-03-2021 11:34 AM)bullet Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:04 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 07:57 AM)GoBuckeyes1047 Wrote:  https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/big-...ttmcmurphy

Notes of Interest:

• BYU could join as soon as 2022
• All sports members prefered and not football only
• All 4 Teams could join before OU and UT leave for SEC
• Boise St., Memphis, SMU, and USF also considered
• Decision based 75% football, 25% basketball
• 16 team league not realistic, 10 team league not likely
  

To me, I think if BYU were to decline, Memphis should be the next team to be invited.

A few things:

1) I think an expansion announcement is coming sooner rather than later and that these are the targeted four. IMO there is too much smoke here.

2) Not surprising at all to me that BYU is the #1 candidate. Not sure why others doubt that.

3) If BYU declines, I do not think Memphis comes next.

4) If expansion announcements are made this month, this greases the skids for an early TX/OU exit to the SEC. Heck, it might be coming *because* there may already have been talks with TX and OU heading in that direction now.

Just MO.

They didn't seriously consider the military academies, Rice, Tulane, UConn or Colorado St. I guess they weren't into projects. Colorado St. has not performed in football on a consistent basis, so they probably have low TV ratings.

Its monetary. They aren't looking much at the intangibles, just "“...TV audience, football relevancy and certainly market size is a factor,” a source said. “Men’s basketball brand also is extremely important. ..."

As a USF fan I hate to admit it, but they are targeting the schools that right now are the best candidates.

Personally, if I was the L8 I would just add two schools, not four. I would invite BYU and either Houston or Cincy. Probably Houston.

But obviously they are thinking more not less.

(09-03-2021 08:58 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:43 AM)otown Wrote:  Why do people think that BYU would decline? It would make ZERO sense for them. The whole CFP expansion proposal is on life support after the Texas and Oklahoma news. Even if it goes through, those friendly G5 terms may not be there anymore.......cant chance that

I think BYU will accept, but I think it is possible that snags could prevent it. Possible snags:

- BYU pride in joining a reduced L8, cementing lower status than Utah

- Disagreement over revenue distribution (L8 might want a long phase-in)

- Problems with current BYU TV deal (does the ESPN deal have an "out" to join a conference?)

- Issues with days of athletic events

Overall, I think it likely that BYU will accept. That's what I expect. But I think snags are possible. Won't shock me if they do not join.

BYU pride is the notion that by adding BYU the Big XII remains a P5. With the new additions the Big XII will be much stronger than the Big East was when taking its dying breaths.

In conclusion: P5 or A5 labels aren’t going anywhere. But your “L8” label will go to the wayside where it belongs.

(09-03-2021 08:43 AM)otown Wrote:  Why do people think that BYU would decline? It would make ZERO sense for them. The whole CFP expansion proposal is on life support after the Texas and Oklahoma news. Even if it goes through, those friendly G5 terms may not be there anymore.......cant chance that

I think a lot of people just have a low opinion of the R8. East coast media bias.

(09-03-2021 11:42 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  As a USF fan I hate to admit it, but they are targeting the schools that right now are the best candidates.

Personally, if I was the L8 I would just add two schools, not four. I would invite BYU and either Houston or Cincy. Probably Houston.

But obviously they are thinking more not less.

Once BYU committed (assuming they have), they were not going to create two islands or leave Houston out to hang.

UCF was the clear 12th school. If they went 14, I’m betting Memphis and SMU, but USF could easily replace either two.

As far as “drafting best available on the board”, UCF was the only solution. Curious how they make this all work logistically though.

(09-03-2021 08:58 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:43 AM)otown Wrote:  Why do people think that BYU would decline? It would make ZERO sense for them. The whole CFP expansion proposal is on life support after the Texas and Oklahoma news. Even if it goes through, those friendly G5 terms may not be there anymore.......cant chance that

I think BYU will accept, but I think it is possible that snags could prevent it. Possible snags:

- BYU pride in joining a reduced L8, cementing lower status than Utah

- Disagreement over revenue distribution (L8 might want a long phase-in)

- Problems with current BYU TV deal (does the ESPN deal have an "out" to join a conference?)

- Issues with days of athletic events

Overall, I think it likely that BYU will accept. That's what I expect. But I think snags are possible. Won't shock me if they do not join.

Sunday play and BYUTV will not be issues.

(09-03-2021 11:46 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:58 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:43 AM)otown Wrote:  Why do people think that BYU would decline? It would make ZERO sense for them. The whole CFP expansion proposal is on life support after the Texas and Oklahoma news. Even if it goes through, those friendly G5 terms may not be there anymore.......cant chance that

I think BYU will accept, but I think it is possible that snags could prevent it. Possible snags:

- BYU pride in joining a reduced L8, cementing lower status than Utah

- Disagreement over revenue distribution (L8 might want a long phase-in)

- Problems with current BYU TV deal (does the ESPN deal have an "out" to join a conference?)

- Issues with days of athletic events

Overall, I think it likely that BYU will accept. That's what I expect. But I think snags are possible. Won't shock me if they do not join.

BYU pride is the notion that by adding BYU the Big XII remains a P5. With the new additions the Big XII will be much stronger than the Big East was when taking its dying breaths.

In conclusion: P5 or A5 labels aren’t going anywhere. But your “L8” label will go to the wayside where it belongs.

Yeah, I'm watching BYU Sports nation right now (Max Olson interview) and they are clearly portraying it as BYU being elevated to the P5 and now at an equal competition level with Utah (in a weaker Pac 12). Of course, it's (the P5 label) a media creation and depends upon perception and performance, but the clear momentum is in favor of the Big 12 continuing its status. Contrary to 6 weeks ago. The L8 label that some have fixated on now really applies to the AAC's 8 remaining members.

(09-03-2021 09:37 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:58 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:43 AM)otown Wrote:  Why do people think that BYU would decline? It would make ZERO sense for them. The whole CFP expansion proposal is on life support after the Texas and Oklahoma news. Even if it goes through, those friendly G5 terms may not be there anymore.......cant chance that

I think BYU will accept, but I think it is possible that snags could prevent it. Possible snags:

- BYU pride in joining a reduced L8, cementing lower status than Utah

- Disagreement over revenue distribution (L8 might want a long phase-in)

- Problems with current BYU TV deal (does the ESPN deal have an "out" to join a conference?)

- Issues with days of athletic events

Overall, I think it likely that BYU will accept. That's what I expect. But I think snags are possible. Won't shock me if they do not join.

I think it's likely, too.

Essentially, it's a decision for BYU about whether they're *ever* going to join a conference for football because the reality is that the Big 12 is going to be the best conference they'll ever be able to join. There are few absolutes in conference realignment, but the one absolute that I'm comfortable about stating is that the Pac-12 is never, ever, EVER inviting BYU. It doesn't matter how much money that they might make - there's simply NFW that a league that is led by Stanford, Berkeley, UCLA and USC is voting them in.

As a result, this is it for BYU. If they're turning down the Big 12, they're effectively stating that they're comfortable with being independent *forever* since no other better conference offer is coming down the line. At the end of the day, I think they take the deal - it's as good of a football league as they'll ever be in and it will be a monster upgrade for basketball (outside of losing Gonzaga as an opponent) and all of their other sports. All of the contractual details for BYU to join the Big 12 are actually going to be way less difficult to sort out compared to the AAC teams that are moving to the Big 12 (much less UT/OU to the SEC).

Plus, we all should know how these leaks work by now: the Big 12 isn't putting all of these quotes out there about how badly they want BYU unless BYU was reciprocating the same level of interest. They would be much more coy about it if BYU's interest was lukewarm.

Well if Stanford, Cal, UCLA and USC are in the Big 10....

Not that that is likely.

(09-03-2021 09:56 AM)Milwaukee Wrote:  Lots of questions:

1. How reputable is McMurphy as a source?

2. When would the 4 schools start playing, and how much would they be paid?

3. How does this impact UT and OU, etc. before they exit the Big 12?

4. Is this just what the Big 12 remnants want, or is it something their broadcasters have agreed to?

They have used consultants, but I can't imagine them not talking to ESPN and Fox at all as far as value.

(09-03-2021 11:51 AM)Jared7 Wrote:  The L8 label that some have fixated on now really applies to the AAC's 8 remaining members.

Well, we can't have that now ... I am now promoting the R8 ... Remaining Eight ... to the C8 ... Core Eight ... so that "Remaining Eight" is available for the AAC.

(09-03-2021 11:46 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:58 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:43 AM)otown Wrote:  Why do people think that BYU would decline? It would make ZERO sense for them. The whole CFP expansion proposal is on life support after the Texas and Oklahoma news. Even if it goes through, those friendly G5 terms may not be there anymore.......cant chance that

I think BYU will accept, but I think it is possible that snags could prevent it. Possible snags:

- BYU pride in joining a reduced L8, cementing lower status than Utah

- Disagreement over revenue distribution (L8 might want a long phase-in)

- Problems with current BYU TV deal (does the ESPN deal have an "out" to join a conference?)

- Issues with days of athletic events

Overall, I think it likely that BYU will accept. That's what I expect. But I think snags are possible. Won't shock me if they do not join.

BYU pride is the notion that by adding BYU the Big XII remains a P5. With the new additions the Big XII will be much stronger than the Big East was when taking its dying breaths.

In conclusion: P5 or A5 labels aren’t going anywhere. But your “L8” label will go to the wayside where it belongs.

Well first, I don't think the late-term Big East comparison is relevant. Heck, I think the L8 by itself is about as valuable, maybe even moreso, than the Big East football league was from 2005-2012.

But difference is, the Big East had signed contracts. That's the reason it remained AQ until 2012. There was no way to boot it out.

The same holds true for the L8, or maybe new L12, if the four join early: Until 2025 they too will remain a formal Power league, with the CFP playoff money and Sugar Bowl bid and all that. Because the contracts are signed.

But after 2025? IMO there is no chance the L12 remains a Power conference. They will retain Autonomy, because that is an NCAA administrative thing. But in terms of the real power markers - TV deal, playoff money and contract bowl (if those exist in an expanded playoff) they will be a G-level league.

I mean, can you imagine the B1G and SEC, with multiple major blue blood name brands each, agreeing to sharing playoff money equally with the L12, which doesn't have a brand equal to the top 6 or 8 in those leagues? I can't.

Can you imagine the Sugar Bowl, via the SEC, wanting to keep that tie-in? I can't.

Can you imagine the Cotton or Fiesta Bowls wanting a guaranteed tie-in? I can't.

As for TV, these four do no add value to the deal. At best, they keep the value at about what Bowlsby stated last month - maybe $14m per school.

For Houston and UCF, this is the same situation they were in 10 years ago: They joined the Big East thinking they were joining an AQ league and saw that vanish. Now they are joining the "Big 12" thinking the same, and it will vanish too. The irony is, if the Big East *was* going to remain AQ after 2012, it would not have invited Houston, UCF and the others. Ditto for the Big 12 - if TX and OU were not taking "power" with them, they would not be inviting UCF, Houston, etc.

Don't get me wrong, an L8 invite IS an improvement over the AAC. Just as a Big East invite was a step up for them in 2011. I wish USF was invited. But it is not a step in to the Big Leagues.

So I do think you are right about one thing - my "L8" moniker is heading to the dust bin. Meet the new "L12" brand!

As a hypothetical the 16 team conference could have been (add USF SMU Memphis CSU)

North: BYU CSU OSU KSU KU ISU UC WVU
South: Baylor TTech SMU TCU Houston Memphis UCF USF

Or maybe there is better East West split. Alas, wasn’t meant to be.

(09-03-2021 11:57 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 11:46 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:58 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:43 AM)otown Wrote:  Why do people think that BYU would decline? It would make ZERO sense for them. The whole CFP expansion proposal is on life support after the Texas and Oklahoma news. Even if it goes through, those friendly G5 terms may not be there anymore.......cant chance that

I think BYU will accept, but I think it is possible that snags could prevent it. Possible snags:

- BYU pride in joining a reduced L8, cementing lower status than Utah

- Disagreement over revenue distribution (L8 might want a long phase-in)

- Problems with current BYU TV deal (does the ESPN deal have an "out" to join a conference?)

- Issues with days of athletic events

Overall, I think it likely that BYU will accept. That's what I expect. But I think snags are possible. Won't shock me if they do not join.

BYU pride is the notion that by adding BYU the Big XII remains a P5. With the new additions the Big XII will be much stronger than the Big East was when taking its dying breaths.

In conclusion: P5 or A5 labels aren’t going anywhere. But your “L8” label will go to the wayside where it belongs.

As for TV, these four do no add value to the deal. At best, they keep the value at about what Bowlsby stated last month - maybe $14m per school.

What if its closer to $20m per school? They would be clearly the 5th best conference by money. On the field their football might be better than the PAC.

(09-03-2021 11:55 AM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 11:51 AM)Jared7 Wrote:  The L8 label that some have fixated on now really applies to the AAC's 8 remaining members.

Well, we can't have that now ... I am now promoting the R8 ... Remaining Eight ... to the C8 ... Core Eight ... so that "Remaining Eight" is available for the AAC.

Well, I'm not really into the constant belittling and demeaning that an insulting label used continuously like that implies. I'm happy to use R8 for the AAC schools.

The Big 12's power status will be determined by performance on the field (and courts) and perception of same. It is now far more likely - especially with the decapitation of the AAC - that it will continue with power status than not.

Couple comments...

First let me say that I was wrong, I thought the BigXII would wait for UT and OU to leave before they made this kind of move, I stand corrected. It does make me wonder though if this is the last season we will see Texas and Oklahoma in the BigXII???

As far as the 4 teams, I think they nailed it. The only other team that had a real case was Memphis. My heart goes out to the Tiger fans, I was pulling for you.

BYU. I agree with some of the other contributors, this is the best chance they're ever going to get. Take it and run with it. If these additions work for the league you may have caught the last lifeboat off of the titanic. Don't be stupid and jump back into the icy cold waters of the G conferences or independents not named Notre Dame, it's a path to exclusion.

Lastly, I applaud Bowlsby for his aggressiveness. I'm not sure if this will work long-term but for now let's appreciate him for recognizing the best pieces left and making a last ditched effort to save his conference. I will never fault anyone who is willing to lay it all out there. That takes guts.

(09-03-2021 12:07 PM)PicksUp Wrote:  What if its closer to $20m per school? They would be clearly the 5th best conference by money. On the field their football might be better than the PAC.

Yeah, the Big 12's projected payouts are expected to top out at $44 million per school per year in the 2025, the last year of the current contracts. Which includes roughly $30 million in media money. A $14 million haircut from that is about $30 million per school per year in distributions and a roughly $16 million in media money. And killer's report of Brian Estridge's radio comment indicates that, with the new additions, that could well go up - ranging from $30-35 million per school per year (the Oliver Luck effect). Which is more than the ACC currently gets - which is locked in for many years. And more than the Pac 12 as well - although they are expected to get a bump in their next go-round (even though virtually all Big 12 schools draw much better TV ratings). And none of this even counts Tier 3 - which individual schools would earn on their own.

The Big 12 could possibly maintain its #3 status in money even with UT/OU gone. Probably not, but it'll be well within the ballpark of the ACC and Pac 12 and well above its next competitor (probably the MWC at $4 million per school per year). Money-wise, quo is still just trolling.

(09-03-2021 11:57 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 11:46 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:58 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:43 AM)otown Wrote:  Why do people think that BYU would decline? It would make ZERO sense for them. The whole CFP expansion proposal is on life support after the Texas and Oklahoma news. Even if it goes through, those friendly G5 terms may not be there anymore.......cant chance that

I think BYU will accept, but I think it is possible that snags could prevent it. Possible snags:

- BYU pride in joining a reduced L8, cementing lower status than Utah

- Disagreement over revenue distribution (L8 might want a long phase-in)

- Problems with current BYU TV deal (does the ESPN deal have an "out" to join a conference?)

- Issues with days of athletic events

Overall, I think it likely that BYU will accept. That's what I expect. But I think snags are possible. Won't shock me if they do not join.

BYU pride is the notion that by adding BYU the Big XII remains a P5. With the new additions the Big XII will be much stronger than the Big East was when taking its dying breaths.

In conclusion: P5 or A5 labels aren’t going anywhere. But your “L8” label will go to the wayside where it belongs.

Well first, I don't think the late-term Big East comparison is relevant. Heck, I think the L8 by itself is about as valuable, maybe even moreso, than the Big East football league was from 2005-2012.

But difference is, the Big East had signed contracts. That's the reason it remained AQ until 2012. There was no way to boot it out.

The same holds true for the L8, or maybe new L12, if the four join early: Until 2025 they too will remain a formal Power league, with the CFP playoff money and Sugar Bowl bid and all that. Because the contracts are signed.

But after 2025? IMO there is no chance the L12 remains a Power conference. They will retain Autonomy, because that is an NCAA administrative thing. But in terms of the real power markers - TV deal, playoff money and contract bowl (if those exist in an expanded playoff) they will be a G-level league.

I mean, can you imagine the B1G and SEC, with multiple major blue blood name brands each, agreeing to sharing playoff money equally with the L12, which doesn't have a brand equal to the top 6 or 8 in those leagues? I can't.

Can you imagine the Sugar Bowl, via the SEC, wanting to keep that tie-in? I can't.

Can you imagine the Cotton or Fiesta Bowls wanting a guaranteed tie-in? I can't.

As for TV, these four do no add value to the deal. At best, they keep the value at about what Bowlsby stated last month - maybe $14m per school.

For Houston and UCF, this is the same situation they were in 10 years ago: They joined the Big East thinking they were joining an AQ league and saw that vanish. Now they are joining the "Big 12" thinking the same, and it will vanish too. The irony is, if the Big East *was* going to remain AQ after 2012, it would not have invited Houston, UCF and the others. Ditto for the Big 12 - if TX and OU were not taking "power" with them, they would not be inviting UCF, Houston, etc.

Don't get me wrong, an L8 invite IS an improvement over the AAC. Just as a Big East invite was a step up for them in 2011. I wish USF was invited. But it is not a step in to the Big Leagues.

So I do think you are right about one thing - my "L8" moniker is heading to the dust bin. Meet the new "L12" brand!

The thing is you don’t get to define Power Conference by picking a choosing metrics. The media does, like it or not. This is how I’ve proven the ACC was considered a Power Conference in the 70’s and 80’s, much to your chagrin.

Outside the top 3 brands in the Big Ten, the rest are not that impressive. You have three mega brands, maybe three more “large” brands, but they’re very much corn country brands, and not national. Michigan St., Iowa, and Wisconsin don’t move any needles down here. Hell, Kansas is on the same plane as MSU and they barely have a football team!

I imagine the big bowl contracts going away as they’ll be yearly sites for an expanded playoff.

As far as your monikers, what’s the Latin translation of “why are you bitter”? Well, I know why. It involves three letters and a 70,000 student body population.

(09-03-2021 08:41 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  While certainly not official (yet), a sincere congratulations to BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF. To Cincinnati fans, in particular, it is a very well-deserved and earned promotion - and one that should have happened years ago. The future Big 12, while lacking a power football program to anchor it (at least at present), will continue to remain a top-5 football conference and will offer an exciting blend of high-level football and basketball. I believe the Big 12's expansion into both Florida and Ohio will return a great deal of investment in the form of exposure, viewership and recruiting for many years to come. I, for one, am very much looking forward to this new version of the Big 12 and hope that my Big East continues the Battle with this form of the conference.

For the AAC, remaining members - especially USF, Memphis and SMU - need to keep their heads up, continue investing and supporting their athletic departments and programs, and not throw in the towel. Realignment never stops. Sustained programs that are successful, competitive and supported will always have a shot at a promotion. With the right additions, the AAC can remain successful and move forward. As a huge college basketball fan, I hope that Memphis, Temple, Wichita State, Tulsa and SMU can find ways to continue to remain competitive and find additional members that can bring value to the basketball side of things. While I do not think they will be in a position to poach any A10 members, there are a number of programs from C-USA that could slide in easily on the basketball side (UAB, Marshall, Western Kentucky, Old Dominion).

I sincerely appreciate the kind words regarding Memphis and Cincinnati, GW11.

(09-03-2021 10:21 AM)Frog in the Kitchen Sink Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 09:56 AM)Milwaukee Wrote:  Lots of questions:

1. How reputable is McMurphy as a source?

2. When would the 4 schools start playing, and how much would they be paid?

3. How does this impact UT and OU, etc. before they exit the Big 12?

4. Is this just what the Big 12 remnants want, or is it something their broadcasters have agreed to?

I can't verify the veracity as I didn't even hear the radio bit there was a post on killerfrogs that Brian Estridge (long time TCU play by play announcer) said this morning on a local radio show that espn had given the Big12 an estimated $30-35million TV share to offer to the four targeted expansion schools. I'm a little dubious of this, but he apparently said it on the air.

Isn't the Big 12's current per-school payout (from TV broadcast rights alone) only $28 million? If so then I'm dubious too. Nonetheless ESPN should have some cash available to make part of their bid for next Big 12 TV deal if in fact the network and conference can mend fences. They'll be able to redirect their BYU contract investment, as well as the bulk of the money they're currently spending on the AAC. There's been talk of the Big 12 payout dropping to as little as $14 million per school but maybe it will land more in the $18-20 million range.

(09-03-2021 11:34 AM)bullet Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 08:04 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(09-03-2021 07:57 AM)GoBuckeyes1047 Wrote:  https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/big-...ttmcmurphy

Notes of Interest:

• BYU could join as soon as 2022
• All sports members prefered and not football only
• All 4 Teams could join before OU and UT leave for SEC
• Boise St., Memphis, SMU, and USF also considered
• Decision based 75% football, 25% basketball
• 16 team league not realistic, 10 team league not likely
  

To me, I think if BYU were to decline, Memphis should be the next team to be invited.

A few things:

1) I think an expansion announcement is coming sooner rather than later and that these are the targeted four. IMO there is too much smoke here.

2) Not surprising at all to me that BYU is the #1 candidate. Not sure why others doubt that.

3) If BYU declines, I do not think Memphis comes next.

4) If expansion announcements are made this month, this greases the skids for an early TX/OU exit to the SEC. Heck, it might be coming *because* there may already have been talks with TX and OU heading in that direction now.

Just MO.

They didn't seriously consider the military academies, Rice, Tulane, UConn or Colorado St. I guess they weren't into projects. Colorado St. has not performed in football on a consistent basis, so they probably have low TV ratings.

Its monetary. They aren't looking much at the intangibles, just "“...TV audience, football relevancy and certainly market size is a factor,” a source said. “Men’s basketball brand also is extremely important. ..."

Funny that you said that about Colorado State. Houston, BYU, Cincinnati and UCF can be said the same. Only Boise State have the winning record constantly since 2000.