Predicting the place the remainder of the Huge 12 will go after Texas, Oklahoma go to the SEC


The unthinkable occurred over this previous week, as the 2 faces of the Huge 12 — Texas and Oklahoma — at the moment are anticipated to depart the convention for greener pastures.

The 2 colleges have been laying the groundwork for the previous six months to affix the SEC, which per a number of studies by ESPN and Austin American-Statesman, Texas A&M was not conscious of.

Realignment was sure to occur once more, however nobody was anticipating it to occur this quickly.

To not point out, many assumed that the Huge 12 would attempt to add two extra groups to replenish the convention. There have been some very spectacular candidates out there that may have made sense to affix the Huge 12, however now that Texas and Oklahoma are leaving, there’s a agency perception by consultants in all places that that is it for the Huge 12.

Now, it has left the opposite eight colleges in a dilemma. Do they wait to see if the Huge 12 can wrangle up 4 extra groups, or do they be proactive in an try to affix one other convention? I personally assume they need to simply start their searches for a brand new convention earlier than they’re left behind.

With that being stated, I’ll take my finest shot at predicting the place every of the remaining groups within the Huge 12 may find yourself.

Kansas: AAC

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There have been studies that Kansas reached out to the Huge Ten to inquire a few potential settlement, nevertheless it looks like the Huge Ten is making an attempt to poach extra prestigious colleges on the gridiron. The lads’s basketball crew is what is going to make Kansas stepping into every other main convention attainable being the blue blood they’re, however as of now, their soccer program presents no worth. The AAC, who presently is at 11 colleges, has the chance to be a giant participant in realignment if they’re able to steal a pair colleges. Kansas very properly may compete extra within the AAC in soccer, whereas persevering with to be a basketball powerhouse. I don’t see the worth in Kansas or the Huge Ten being a factor with reference to soccer.

West Virginia: ACC

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Though it got here unannounced there may be probably not a crew within the convention that this advantages essentially the most. The Mountaineers make adverse geographical sense being within the Huge 12, and have all the time felt just like the odd man out. It was reported by the Athletic that West Virginia would like the ACC, ought to they go away, and I believe that is the right touchdown spot for them. Not solely will it make geographical sense, however they are going to have the ability to rekindle what is among the most heated and underrated rivalries in The Yard Brawl with Pittsburgh. It’s going to additionally reunite them with former Huge East foes, and their basketball program is ACC caliber when at its finest. It’s going to simply come right down to if the ACC desires them as unhealthy they need to be part of.

Kansas State: AAC

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports activities

Kansas State is probably going one of many harder predictions just because they aren’t a lovely faculty in any facet. Though their state counterpart Kansas is horrendous at soccer, they’ve an elite basketball crew that can probably have them wanted. Kansas State alternatively has been common at soccer, and struggled in basketball. There’s additionally hypothesis that they head west to affix the MWC, however except the MWC provides different larger fish, Kansas State may view that as a downgrade. Additionally it is attainable the MWC can have a few of their groups poached by the Pac-12.

Baylor: AAC

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Baylor will probably be neglected by the ACC and Huge Ten, so I may see them becoming a member of the AAC and re-establishing their soccer program whereas additionally making the convention as a complete that rather more respected. They clearly simply received a championship in basketball, and would add a juggernaut to the convention’s lineup. They might be part of in-state SMU and Houston, whereas additionally serving to the convention get to 16 groups, as they presently sit at 11. It will additionally permit their soccer program to ascertain a successful tradition, lengthy after the Artwork Briles catastrophe of a tenure. The AAC actually desires to ascertain itself as one of many energy conferences and securing Baylor can be an enormous get for them.

Texas Tech: AAC

Colin Schooler

Colin Schooler

AP Photograph/Brad Tollefson

The AAC once more can be taking one other program that has success on the basketball court docket, and is trying to relive the Mike Leach glory days. Texas Tech may get a glance by the Pac-12, however once more the Boise State’s and BYU’s is likely to be seen as extra engaging. This may give the AAC half of what’s left of the Huge 12, which actually can be an important enhance for everybody concerned, aside from the Huge 12 in fact. A dream situation for the convention can be if majority of the remaining eight Huge 12 groups all caught collectively and joined, not solely wouldn’t it make them the second tremendous convention, however they might have some main colleges within the combine so as to add to an already stable bunch.

TCU: Pac-12

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The Horned Frogs have expertise being aside of west coast conferences, as previous to their Huge 12 admittance they had been members of the MWC/WAC. TCU has the namesake that might get them a severe supply to affix the Pac-12, and assist them type their 16 crew convention. They’ve skilled average success in soccer, and would probably match higher within the Pac-12 playstyle smart than they do within the Huge 12. It will additionally permit Texas to keep away from a loss each season.

Oklahoma State: AAC

AP Photograph/Brody Schmidt

Oklahoma State could be very a lot a Pac-12 chance, however them becoming a member of the AAC will simply make them the face of the convention, one thing they’ve by no means been. They’ve lengthy been handled because the little brother to Oklahoma, and them having the prospect to make their very own identification can be nice for this system. The Pac-12 is USC and Oregon’s convention, and for a college that appears to need extra nationwide recognition, going to the west coast equal of the Huge 12 within the sense that the highest two colleges are valued greater than everybody else, why not go to a convention the place a type of colleges will be you? Them becoming a member of the AAC would give the convention the crew it wants to actually achieve nationwide respect.

Iowa State: Huge Ten

Patrick Breen-USA TODAY Sports activities

Their current success couldn’t have uncoincidentally come at a greater time. The Cyclones very properly may earn themselves a Huge Ten spot due to the good success had by Matt Campbell lately. It will put them in the identical convention as their in-state rival Iowa, and has confirmed to be a worthy program. The Huge Ten makes excellent sense, however I do assume the AAC will attempt to lure them into their convention. Nevertheless, I believe the Huge Ten cash, and the established convention status can be an excessive amount of to beat for the AAC. Iowa State may additionally very properly go in and compete with Ohio State instantly.

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