I was curious so I did a little research to see how the so-called "Big 5" members averaged in attendance.  I did this to see if we truly needed to get to an average of 60,000 in able to "run with the big boys".  Let me say that I was quite surprised at what I found.   Of the 62 teams that make up the "Big 5", at least 24 of those teams averaged somewhere under 48,000 per game in home attendance last year meaning about 39% of the Big 5 membership averaged less than 48,000 per game in home attendance for 2012.

Of the aforementioned 24 schools, at least 3 of them averaged under 29,000 per game, the same being Duke (28,170), Washington State (28,791) and Wake Forest (28,912).  The next lowest 5 averaged under 38,000 per game and were Northwestern (35,697), Maryland (36,023), Boston College (37,020), Vanderbilt (37,860) and Syracuse (37,953).  Then there were 8 schools averaging under 45,000 per game, the same being Baylor (41,194), Kansas (41,329), Pitt (41,494), Stanford (43,343), Oregon State (43,424), Purdue (43,588), Ga. Tech (43,955) and Indiana (44,802).  Finally, the last group averaged under 48,000 per game and consisted of 8 schools, the same being Utah (45,347), Colorado (45,373), Illinois (45,564),  TCU (46,047), Minnesota (46,637), UVa (46,650), Miami (Fla.) (47,719) and Arizona (47,931).  If you expand to say 55,000 per game these numbers go up dramatically.

Looking at it by conference, the SEC had 1 of its members averaging under 38,000 per game (Vanderbilt).  Kentucky was next with an average of 49,691.  The Big 12 had 3 of its members under 47,000 per game, those being Baylor, Kansas and TCU.  The Big 10 had 5 members averaging under 47,000 per game (Northwestern, Purdue, Indiana, Illinois and Minnesota).  The PAC 12 had 6 members averaging under 48,000 per year (Washingotn State, Stanford, Oregon State, Utah, Colorado and Arizona).  Finally, the ACC had 5 of its 14 members averaging under 38,000 per game (Duke, Wake Forest, Maryland, Boston College and Syracuse), 3 of its members averaging under 47,000 per game (Pitt, Ga. Tech, and UVa.) and 1 of its members under 48,000 per game (Miami).  Thus, 9 of the 14 teams (64%) that make up the ACC average under 48,000 per game.  

Finally, if we were looking at another conference that may be invited to join the Big 5 I would assume it would be the so-called American (remains of former Big East).  In looking at their averages we would fit well with them right now.  In 2012, 5 of those teams averaged under 30,000 per game, the same being SMU (21,292), Memphis (24,371), Temple (26,580), Houston (27,247) and UC (29,138).  If you look at averaging under 35,000 per game you add 2 more, those being UCF (34,608) and UConn (34,672).  So, out of the 10 schools currently in the American, 7 (70%) currently average under 35,000 per game.  The other 3 members were USF (44,130), Rutgers (49,188) and Louisville (49,991).  Of course, Louisville will be gone at the end of this season as it will move to the ACC.

Thus it is not that big of a jump from where we are to the American or ACC.  And for the record, the NCAA has OUr average home attendance for 2012 at 21,844.  If we do expand, 45,000 capacity would probably get us there, and maybe less than that.     

Of the aforementioned 24 schools, at least 3 of them averaged under 29,000 per game, the same being Duke (28,170), Washington State (28,791) and Wake Forest (28,912).  The next lowest 5 averaged under 

Thus it is not that big of a jump from where we are to the American or ACC.  And for the record, the NCAA has OUr average home attendance for 2012 at 21,844.  If we do expand, 45,000 capacity would probably get us there, and maybe less than that.