TCU to the Big 12: Will the Horned Frogs Be Enough to Save the Conference?

Just a few weeks ago, it appeared as if the Big 12 Conference was ready to crumble and become a casualty of the tidal wave of realignment that was set to sweep through college athletics.

Now, all that has changed.

With its two power programs, Texas and Oklahoma, leading the way, the conference has regrouped and promised to stick together for the future, even after losing Texas A&M to the SEC last month.

As was expected, the Big 12 is starting to send out feelers to see which programs want to come join the party. Today, we got word of the first big invitation when it was confirmed that the conference had officially invited current Mountain West member TCU to join.

This comes as no surprise.

Since the Big 12 regrouped and decided to forge ahead, the Horned Frogs have been a heavily rumored target along with the likes of Louisville, Air Force and BYU.

TCU, one of the budding giants of the lower ranks of college football, is currently in talks with the Big 12 about becoming the 10th member school and all signs point to them accepting the offer.

Earlier today, TCU chancellor Victor Boschini Jr. issued this statement.

"These discussions with the Big 12 have huge implications for TCU. It will allow us to return to old rivalries, something our fans and others have been advocating for many years. As always, we must consider what's best for TCU and our student-athletes in this ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics. We look forward to continuing these discussions with the Big 12."

Fearing its fourth defection in just a little over a year, the Big 12 saw the dire situation that the conference could be facing in the near future if Missouri decides to leave, so officials knew they had to do something proactive.

Yes, it was a desperate move to invite TCU, but it was also the right one.

This is a conference that is searching for credibility right now and one that needs to add depth by any means necessary.

Adding a team that has been to two consecutive BCS bowl games was about the best that the Big 12 could hope for, and the fact that it’s a team from Texas only makes it even sweeter.

TCU, a former Southwest Conference member, will be able to restore some of its old rivalries with other Texas schools like Texas, Baylor and Texas Tech.

Overall, it seems like a win-win for both parties if the deal does go through, but the question is, will adding TCU actually save the Big 12?

The conference has endured a tumultuous year, starting last summer with the exodus of both Colorado and Nebraska.

TCU will be a quality replacement for Missouri if the Tigers do in fact decide to leave, but the Big 12 can't just decide to rest at nine teams.

The smart strategy would be to give the final death blow to the Big East and poach Louisville and maybe even expand further east and go after a school like West Virginia.

The loss of TCU, who was expected to join the Big East after this season, is a tough pill to swallow, considering the conference also has to deal with the departures of Syracuse and Pittsburgh, who are both headed to the ACC.

This was a strong first step toward building the Big 12 back up into one of the most powerful conferences in college football, however, it certainly can’t be the last step.

Louisville, West Virginia and even BYU should all get invitations as well.

If the Big 12 truly wants to be a respected powerhouse conference, it can’t settle for just switching Missouri with TCU.

More work still needs to be done, but at the very least, this is a sign that the Big 12 does in fact have some potential long-term viability.