Big 12 Football: Ranking the teams that applied to join conference

1. UCF Knights

Continuing the idea of mutually beneficial relationships, the UCF Knights no longer have to prop up the American as part of the “Power Six” or proclaim themselves as National Champions. Membership in the Big 12 gives the Knights something they’ve always wanted, an opportunity.

The Knights membership in the Big 12 opens the conference to arguably the most talent-rich state in college football. It also gives the Big 12 a presence in the second-largest television market in the state of Florida.

Like conference rival Cincinnati, the Knights have to give 27 months’ notice and pay the $10 million exit fee. However, money always talks, and if both teams are willing to pay more money, the AAC could shorten the notice.

Though Cincinnati has supplanted UCF as the king of AAC football, the Knights have been the marquee program since the conferences’ inception in 2013.  UCF has won four AAC titles (three outright) and has played in three New Year’s Six bowls, winning two.

About the television market, the Orlando/Daytona beach market is the largest in the country without an NFL team, according to the Nielsen ratings. The Florida draw is undeniable for the Big 12.

It seems like serendipity the Knights would hire Gus Malzahn when they did. Having a coach with not only Power Five experience but also having SEC experience could give the Knights a leg up in recruiting with an increased budget with more television revenue.