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Big 12 Expansion: Ranking the possible schools to be added

By Hunter Kinniburgh

Jul 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2015; East Hartford, CT, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers (9) hands off the ball to running back Marlon Mack (5) in the second half at Rentschler Field. USF defeated UConn 28-20. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; East Hartford, CT, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers (9) hands off the ball to running back Marlon Mack (5) in the second half at Rentschler Field. USF defeated UConn 28-20. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

9. University of South Florida 

The Pros:

South Florida resides in the competitive recruiting area known as the state of Florida. South Florida would also bring with them the Tampa area TV market. The program does seem to be trending up. Head Coach Willie Taggart has slowly turned the program around since his arrival three years ago.

The slow progress paid off last season as the Bulls finished the season at 8-5 with an appearance in the Miami Beach Bowl. There is no reason to not believe that the Bulls are not capable of continuing their climb up the AAC ranks.

The Cons: 

South Florida has not always been a competitive team. Before the 8-5 record last season, the bulls had a combined 14 wins since 2011. Even though the Bulls are set up in Tampa, the state of Florida is still owned by the big three of the University of Florida, Florida State and University of Miami.

South Florida also does not offer much outside of the sport of football. Residing in the state of Florida may not help either as the Big 12 may not want to move that far east as travel even to or for West Virginia has been seen as complicated. USF also does not have an on-campus stadium and plays at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Next: No. 8 UCF

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