Big 12 Expansion Possibilities

This is going to be clear cut with many, many options that may or may not happen but we will see.   I was reading a ton of expansion talk by many writer here at BR when it dawned on me, what will the Big 12 do?  They are being attacked from the Mid West and the West Coast.  Well I am going to answer with a few options so here we go.

Preemptive strike, expand to 14 or 16

You think the Big 12 is weak, well....I show you who's weak.  Send out Dan Beebe to do some real sleazy salesman work by going East to Iowa, LSU, and Arkansas.  All of these schools will fit right in with the Big 12 geographically now most people saying it would be like trying to rob Ft. Knox but that is kind of the point. The only way it could happen would be if the Big 12 secured the best TV deal in the nation, which is doubtful to say the least.  If the Big 12 projects a strong image and convinces its teams that expansion could be possible why not feel out the big boys. 

If we get rejected we can go West to New Mexico, New Mexico St, Utah, BYU, and Wyoming.  Not saying we would take these teams but perhaps spark interest in more western schools that may keep Colorado around since they feel they don't fit in with the Eastern side of the Big 12.  BYU was at one time a candidate for the Big 12 and could tie the knot by partnering with Colorado as the Mountain Rivals. 

Finally we can look within the current Big 12 states at Colorado St, Tulsa, Houston, TCU, SMU, or UTEP.  These could all strengthen the conference internally by adding Colorado St Colorado could feel more at home in the Big 12.  Tulsa and the Texas schools all bring their own strength including more a secured TV market, so the SEC/MWC doesn't sweep in a steal Houston/TCU from what is generally considered to be a Big 12 market.  UTEP is the most interesting due to their location on the border of Mexico and their highly Hispanic population could easily develop a following similar to Notre Dame and BYU have all across the country.

If 1 School Leaves

Whether Colorado or Mizzou we would have to take another Northern-ish school to keep the balance of the conference.  Arkansas, Utah, BYU, Colorado St and Wyoming come to mind.  Arkansas is the favorite option from the old SWC, BYU brings the LDS following, Utah has great athletics and academics, Colorado St would be attempt to keep the Colorado market if Colorado goes to the Pac 10 or strengthen the bond of Colorado in the Big 12, and finally the black sheep Wyoming is already playing Big 12 schools and the Cowboys fit right in with the conferences theme of Longhorns, Cornhuskers, Aggies, and Sooners (sorry OSU you'll have to share your mascot).  Basically the Big 12 will survive without much shifting of teams and life will go on.

If 2 Schools Leave

Likely Colorado and Mizzou but could be one of them and Nebraska.  If this happens a shift is divisions is likely to occur.  The Oklahoma schools will be sent to the North and 2 Texas school will be picked up probably TCU and Houston due to the success of their recent athletics and their television markets.  However I could see a strong push for UTEP but that would be a long shot since the recruits are more in Dallas/Ft Worth and Houston than El Paso and El Paso was not a member of the old Southwest Conference so the 4 SWC schools would be a little biased.  New Mexico and New Mexico St could expand the Big 12's viewing area and states however their athletic aren't quite up to par even though New Mexico has been making attempts.  Believe it or not this may work out for the better, a permanent inter-divisional game would have to be established so Texas can still play OU, but besides that the Oklahoma schools and Nebraska shift some greatly needed power back to the North and the Texas Division (or South if you must) will be self contained where they can reduce travel cost.  This will make for a more balanced conference championship game and can increase the competitiveness of the South where Baylor may have a shot a the conference championship since the power will be slightly deluded.  In the new North, Oklahoma and Nebraska can reignite their old Big 8 rivalry, which would add another 'big game' to the conferences rosters.  Can you imagine a TX/OU CCG....that would be pretty crazy.  For this scenario I would prefer Colorado and Iowa St (instead of Missouri) go since they are the weakest in athletics in the North thus strengthening the Big 12 and not weakening it, this could happen but I don't see Iowa St to the Big Ten so it is an extremely long shot.

If 3 or More Schools Leave

Armageddon!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If it was Colorado to the Pac 10 and Missouri to the Big Ten and Nebraska to either since it could be east or west, the Big 12 would fall apart from there.

The good north schools, Kansas Nebraska, Missouri would probably go to the Big Ten (even after expansion to 12 they'll re-expand to 16 to take them).  Colorado, Texas, Texas A&M, and maybe Tech (if their academics allows) will all go to the Pac 10.  Kansas St, Baylor and Iowa St will be toss ups between MWC, CUSA, or MAC (Iowa St only).  The Big 12 will cease to exist and Dan Beebe will cry and wet himself until he dies of dehydration while going down as the worse conference commissioner ever.