Big 12 Football: Could expansion save it from becoming next Big East?

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Oct 31, 2020; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; Members of the Boise State Broncos line up across from the Air Force Falcons in the second half at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Other schools the Big 12 could target

If the Big 12 is unable to convince UCF, BYU, San Diego State, and Cincinnati to join the conference there are other schools that the Big 12 should consider adding.

. . . Rams . . team. 896

In a state not already in the Big 12: Yes
Group of Five top 15 revenue school: No. 2
Has five eight-plus win seasons since 2010: No, just two but had three seven-win seasons during this time.
Top 50 TV/streaming market: No. 16
Something special/unique that they bring to the Big 12: No, but they would bring the Big 12 back into the state of Colorado after the Buffaloes left for the Pac-12.
Criteria score card: 3/5

Colorado State is not a football powerhouse with their last good run came during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. However, the Rams are the second most revenue producing school next to UCF who is No. 1.

The Big 12 no longer has a team in the state of Colorado after the Buffaloes left for the Pac-12 so adding the Rams would fill that void. There are various reasons why Colorado State was not named in the top four but they are an alternative choice that the Big 12 may have to consider.

. team. 895. . . . Broncos

In a state not already in the Big 12: Yes
Group of Five top 15 revenue school: No. 4
Has five eight-plus win seasons since 2010: 10
Top 50 TV/streaming market: No. 101
Something special/unique that they bring to the Big 12: No, but Boise State has a decade of success on the football field that includes winning 10 or more games eight times since 2010. Well, the blue field is unique.
Criteria score card: 3/5

Boise State has won 10 or more football games in eight seasons since 2010 season. The Broncos have done very well in football and have two undefeated seasons in 2009 and 2006 which ended with impressive Fiesta Bowl wins. However, 2014 was the last time that Boise State won a major bowl game when they defeated Arizona to win the Fiesta Bowl.

The Broncos also don’t have the greatest academics as they are ranked No. 298 among national universities according to U.S. News & World Report. But the main and virtually only reason that Boise State has not received an invitation to a Power Five conference like the Big 12 is the location of the university.

If Boise was located near Seattle, Salt Lake City, or Northern California they would more than likely already be in a Power Five conference. I don’t believe many would be upset if the Big 12 added the Broncos to their conference, especially if their hypothetical first four choices don’t join the league in the near future.

Are there other viable schools that the Big 12 could consider like SMU, Houston, Memphis, one of the three military institutions, Fresno State, or South Florida? The answer is yes but expanding the conference geographic blueprint into top 40 TV/streaming media markets and states that they are not already in is key to long term financial survival.

The schools mentioned above seem to be the best possible schools for future expansion.

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