Fixing the Big 12

With the recent news that Texas A&M making their intentions clear that they are exploring leaving the Big 12. That basically means that they are gone. That would leave the Big 12 with only 9 teams. That wouldn't be awful. They would still have Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Missouri. Those four teams could carry a conference. But it would probably be a wise decision to look towards getting back to 12 teams with a the idea of having a championship game. SMU came out this week saying that wanted to be in the Big 12 if they were looking. That got me thinking. If I was in charge of the Big 12 (heck anybody could be better than Dan Beebe) which teams would I go after?

The teams I would be looking for don't necessarily have to fit geographically. That would be nice, but if you want the Big 12 to grow you need to get more eyes on your product. Notre Dame would obviously be my first choice, but there is no way they join. They want to stay Independent (and why wouldn't they) and if they were forced to join a conference it would probably be the Big 10. So with all that said, here is a look at the teams I would make invitations to.

Boise State Broncos. This would be one of my first choices. Boise isn't a big market, but they are nationally known and would bring a championship contender in. Their facilities are improving and they have a rabid fan base. Plus everybody would be wanting to see if they could make it playing in a big boys league.

TCU Horned Frogs. Along with Boise State this would be one of the first schools I'd target. TCU and Boise State are the top two non BCS teams out there. Plus TCU fits geographically and gives the conference a team in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex which is the #5 media market. Now I am aware that having Texas, Baylor and Texas Tech already gives you Dallas, but having TCU could help even more. I know that TCU has already joined the Big East for the 2012 season, but they would jump at the opportunity to get into the Big 12 where they wouldn't have to travel as much.

San Diego State Aztecs. Now San Diego State doesn't fit geographically, but they are a team that has the potential to make a big time jump. The team has improved under Brady Hoke and now Rocky Long should keep them on that path. Add in that their attendance has been improving lately which shows the interest. But what is most important is having a presence in Southern California. You would get the San Diego market (#28) plus having games in California could help teams recruit the area better.

Central Florida Knights. Much like San Diego State, Central Florida doesn't fit geographically but they are a team that is getting better and better and ready to start making a run at a BCS Bowl. UCF has also put a lot of money into improving their facilities. But what makes this move even better is that it gives you the Orlando market (#19) and a presence in the fertile recruiting grounds of Florida.

Houston Cougars. Here is another team that has had the ability to challenge for a possible BCS berth. Houston under Art Briles and now Kevin Sumlin have had the Cougars as regulars in the Conference USA Title hunt. Put them into the Big 12 and they might not challenge for the conference title right away, but they have proven that they could beat the likes of Texas Tech on a consistent basis. Add in that the Houston market is #10 nationally and they wouldn't require the current teams to travel much. Plus they are another team that has started investing a lot of money into their facilities.

If those teams don't work, here are some fall back options.

BYU Cougars. BYU thought that they would be a perfect fit when the Pac 10 wanted to expand, but they were passed over for Utah. So instead they decided to go Independent. But don't think for a second they wouldn't pass up the chance to join a BCS conference if they were invited. Now BYU is known for being difficult to work with, but they would give you a reputable program and because of the BYUTV network gives you eyes all over the country and some parts of the world. They wouldn't be my first choice but they would be an interesting fall back option.

SMU Mustangs. They have made it very clear that they want in, but they should be the ultimate fall back option. Now SMU has improved under June Jones, but they are no where ready to be competing in the Big 12 conference. The only thing they would bring to the conference is that they fit geographically and gives the Dallas market. But having Texas in the conference probably gives the conference the same amount of the Dallas market as SMU would. The only way I would invite them is if I had to invite somebody and nobody else accepted.

Overall if the Big 12 was able to get Boise State, TCU and either Central Florida or San Diego State they could be set up for a while. Heck even if TCU doesn't come and its just Boise State, Central Florida and San Diego State that would make them even more attractive and a better conference. But that's just my opinion. Let me know yours.