(07-10-2017 08:28 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  If the Big 12 had added Louisville in 2011, in addition to West Virginia, TCU and - probably - Cincinnati, then the whole narrative about the Big 12 being on life support goes away. The league continues on with 12 teams and 12 very solid athletic programs. Unfortunately, Big 12 bosses didn't think Louisville was good enough, so they passed and only selected West Virginia (which is still on a monumental island).

The Big 12 will not be getting $35 million annually in its next contract if they continue to be the weakest link in the power conference chain. Bowlsby, Boren and others can proclaim how everything is great, but results, markets and program prestige matters. Having 20% of your conference composed of Kansas and Iowa State (programs with a combined three winning seasons in the past 10 years) doesn't help. Having Baylor, in its current state with negative national perception, doesn't help. Having Bob Stoops, one of the top college football head coaches, just retire, doesn't help. Having Texas continue to be down, doesn't help.

What exactly will the next Big 12 contract be buying-in to?

Would think the best programs to add back then would have been TCU, WVU, Louisville and BYU. Not sure FSU or Clemson or any other rumored ACC still would be willing to jump ships especially with negotiations of an ACCN still in the works.