Breaking down prime candidates to hitch the Large 12 if Texas, Oklahoma bounce to SEC


The stories that Oklahoma and Texas have made overtures to the SEC nonetheless have the school soccer world abuzz.

Earlier than we go additional, nonetheless, there are some things to remember. At the beginning, at this second in time, the speak is simply that – speak. Any precise motion in convention membership is a couple of years down the street at this juncture because of contractual obligations – most of which contain TV rights.

And, even when the Sooners and Longhorns bounce ship, there isn’t any assure the remaining eight geographically disparate Large 12 colleges would stick collectively. The likes of, say, Iowa State and West Virginia would possibly discover it extra viable to hunt affiliation with different leagues.

However we’ll assume the Large 12 does attempt to keep intact for functions of this train of figuring out potential invitees. Let’s face it – this dialogue is basically football-driven, and the convention must add new members to remain related on the gridiron, even when the proposed playoff enlargement turns into actuality. At the very least two – and possibly extra – new colleges can be wanted.

Listed here are the most probably candidates that could possibly be prolonged invites. Truthful warning – the American Athletic Convention would determine to take successful.

Could coach Dana Holgorsen and the Houston Cougars make a move to the Big 12?

Might coach Dana Holgorsen and the Houston Cougars make a transfer to the Large 12?

Houston

This might nearly actually be the primary cellphone name. The Cougars can be reunited with former Southwest Convention foes TCU and Baylor, and the league would strengthen its Lone Star State presence regardless of the Longhorns following Texas A&M out the door by a couple of years.

Central Florida

One other apparent name, UCF would give the league a further robust soccer program and prolong the geographic footprint into the guts of SEC territory. South Florida would possibly foyer to come back alongside in a bundle deal, however the Knights can be unlikely to endorse such a proposal, given the unhealthy blood between the 2 packages courting again to the final spherical of realignment.

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Cincinnati

Profitable might be fleeting, however the Bearcats can be an interesting choice if this system can maintain its at the moment robust footing. The UC basketball program can be a stable match as effectively.

Memphis

Talking of basketball, the Tigers would even have a case for inclusion. Sure, there’s a little bit of a checkered hardwood historical past with the NCAA, however that appears much less of an element given the group’s altering panorama. The soccer product hasn’t been unhealthy of late, both.

SMU

Talking of checkered histories, SMU might face a considerably extra sophisticated reconciliation with its former SWC mates, because it was the chain of occasions that began with the Mustangs’ soccer scandal that in the end led to the demise of the league. However once more, with the NCAA’s amateurism mannequin all however gone, historical past is perhaps much less of a consideration.

Boise State

The Large 12 might conceivably look westward as effectively. The Broncos of the blue turf can be an outlier in the event that they got here alone, however there’s been dissatisfaction throughout the BSU program with the college’s association with the Mountain West for various years.

San Diego State

This might pose a good larger geographic problem than Boise, with the Aztecs primarily based two time zones from most present Large 12 colleges, and three from West Virginia. However increasing into sunny Southern California would not less than be one thing for league officers to think about.

BYU

This can be a little bit of a protracted shot. The Cougars’ overtures to the Large 12 have gone unrequited for a while. However BYU does have a nationwide identification, so the league would possibly not less than discover the chance if the necessity dictates.

Nebraska

Wait, what? OK, that’s a good longer lengthy shot. However the Cornhuskers’ relationship with the Large Ten has been strained of late. There are in all probability too many fences to fix with the members of Nebraska’s former league to make this a sensible risk, but when we’ve discovered something on this period of change, it’s by no means say by no means.

Observe USA TODAY Sports activities’ Eddie Timanus on Twitter @EddieTimanus

This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Large 12 might invite a number of colleges to league if Texas, Oklahoma go away





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