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Conference realignment: Big 12 ‘seriously discussing’ adding independent program, per report
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The college football landscape remains in a state of uncertainty as conferences try to plan for the future following the SEC’s addition of Oklahoma and Texas and the announcement of an alliance between the ACC, Pac-12, and Big Ten.
The Power-5 conference that has been left out in the cold thus far has been the Big 12, and hopes that some Big 12 schools could land in the Pac-12 appear unlikely for now.
That reality has the Big 12 looking at the possibility of expansion, and according to a report from Max Olson and Andy Staples of The Athletic, BYU could be at the top of the wish list.
The Big 12 is seriously discussing BYU, sources say, and the TV numbers are in the Cougars’ favor @max_olson @Andy_Staples @TheAthletic https://t.co/UK7CHo90C1
— The Athletic CFB (@TheAthleticCFB) August 27, 2021
According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, a 4-person expansion committee has been established to explore new additions to the Big 12, with the goal being to keep the conference as strong as possible.
As to how BYU fits into that picture, it all comes down to money, as BYU delivers huge TV ratings year in and year out, and the Big 12 would do best financially to expand its reach to the West.
"Chris Wallace covers college football for Saturday Down South. He has covered college athletics for multiple newspapers and also worked previously for Rivals.com and GolfChannel.com."
