It's anybody's guess, but who do you think will join the new Big12?
I'm saying BYU, Colorado State, Cincy and UConn. Or Memphis, BYU, Cincy and UCF. Or Houston, BYU, Cincy and UConn. Who knows?

It may affect the MAC because we may lose a team or 2 to the AAC.

Heck even NIU is being mentioned on the sports channel this morning and it's not the first time. Don't see that one happening for lots of reasons.

Because of being close to WVU, and the size of the TV Market, I'd imagine UC is a really solid candidate, and I'm biased on that. After that, I'd imagine one Florida school is a must, and UConn for East Coast TV markets. I wonder about Memphis/BYU/Colorado fighting for a spot together. I see Houston on the outside looking in because, really, what do they add that the Big12 doesn't already have in Texas, Baylor, and TCU?

Or maybe they add Memphis and UC, and then BYU and Colorado State? Two midwest schools and two mountain schools?

Who knows...I do know that this is something about the MAC that I like: Geographic proximity. I like that I can go to a rival school within a short drive.

He was being sarcastic.

While the AAC is a possibility, the B12 is not. BTW knows that. He just likes to stir the pot sometimes. ;-)

I'm very curious what the AAC looks like after this.

Oh yeah, well we should start our own power conference...with blackjack....and hookers! In fact, forget the conference!

Ah, screw the whole thing....






(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGi6Q1pNbS0 for those of you who don't get the reference)

I assume this has to do with the announcement of the ACC deal through ESPN, and not much else.

Having grown up in the Queen City I have always wanted the biggest and best for UC athletics. While not a super die hard fan, I do follow the football and basketball teams and listen on radio/watch on TV when I can.

My uncle is a prof and he used to give my family free tickets to football because that was the best hope to put butts in seats. To think that it is even a POSSIBILITY that the Bearcats could soon be in a conference with Oklahoma (not Tulsa) or Texas (not SMU) is almost hard to comprehend. It was wild enough about a decade ago when they went into the old Big East and became a factor in football almost instantly.

I remember basketball always being top notch growing up but still the best team from a less than stellar conference (be it the old Metro, MCC, Conference USA now AAC-Big East was a dream come true in its old form for hoops). The caliber of players that would come to Clifton if they get to play Kansas et al is exciting to think about.

A lot of local talent that has left down for bigger opportunities may stay if they will be in a Power 5 program.

Where my dad took me to see UAB I might be able to take my son to see Texas.

The thing that has me cautiously optimistic is the WVU factor. They are definitely on an island and I could see the conference wanting to bridge that. I also think that this is UC's only/last hope of jumping across the ever-widening chasm between the Power/Group of 5.

Also, many programs in the current Big 12 could certainly benefit from the talent that plays on Friday nights here in Ohio.

My opinion:

UC is a lock. They felt left behind when the ACC expanded and Louisville got invited but they didn't. The stadium upgrades and facelift to the basketball arena tell me they are going for bigger and better. Plus, the Big 12 needs a rivalry with WVU.

BYU is a coin flip. I think they secretly like where they are as an independent. They're on national TV every week pretty much no matter what. They play a national schedule every week. But if the Big 12 sends enough money their way I could see them joining.

If they wanted to stay in the area, go Houston. They just built a new stadium. The high octane offense already matches the Big 12. It's in a large metro area, #4 in population in the US. What's not to like?

And then of course the others have their own perks. Memphis has the whole FedEx thing going for it. UCF provides a Florida connection and they are the #2 or #3 school in enrollment numbers I think. UConn sounds like a good idea because of basketball, not so much football.

It's kind of depressing that I have not seen Ohio's name in any of the articles about any of the effects of this latest string of moves. Not one. I have seen NIU, Toledo, WMU,BGSU and Buffalo. We're in good(?) company because Miami hasn't been mentioned either that I can find.

As I understand it, WVU is making a strong pitch to add both UC and Memphis to give them some more nearby rivals. I'm guessing that The Mountaineers get their way. If the go to 14, I suspect that the other two will be Houston and BYU.

In the event that the Big Twelve does expand by taking members from the AAC, the AAC will need to take members from another conference, most likely CUSA or the MAC. What would the AAC be looking for? Here are some things that they might look for in a school:
1. Competitive teams in major sports
2. Good facilities in major sports
3. Strong attendance in major sports
4. Either a strong local media market, or a name that conveys broader appeal than to just a single city.
5. A stable athletic department

Does Ohio meet these tests? Not all of them, but probably enough of them that Ohio would at least be one of the teams considered. Are there other teams in the MAC and CUSA that meet them better? Time will tell. Would Ohio be interested in moving the AAC if given the chance? I don't know.

As a fan, I would not be interested in Ohio being in the AAC. If you take out the top 2-3 teams, that's not a very appealing situation if you ask me. The only advantage is the TV contract, but how long would that contract last if UC, UConn, UCF, or Memphis weren't part of the conference?

Chicago is relevant to the Big10 due to the sheer number of Big10 alumni in that city, and the regional area sitting right in the middle of Big10 country. Adding NIU is not going to cut into that dynamic.