IF nobody picks up KU or anyone else, the Big XII will have to do something. Seems that 10 is the absolute minimum. Maybe as follows, depending on how big they want to grow:

Houston & Cincy - 10
USF & UCF -12
CSU & Memphis - 14
UNM & UNLV - 16

I think you have to make a move in TX if UT goes. TCU and Houston would put games in the two biggest markets (DFW/Houston), even if they’re lesser brands. We’d have games IN both cities, and local media coverage in those important markets.

USF & UCF get us into FL. They have big enrollments too.

Beyond that are more respectable but not top-shelf brands, but more geographic expansion. How relevant that is in an era of declining cable subscription is up for debate. There’s also the issue of over diluting distribution of a smaller total sum.

We wouldn’t compete with the top conferences on brand names, but could be respectable and sustainable as the best of the rest. Each move also diminishes other competitors for that status, but the reality is we couldn’t poach a power conference