Big 12 Football: 4 programs that would benefit by joining the conference
Honorable mentions
If the Big 12 were to turn to the Group of Five conferences or Independent schools to find an answer to the expansion conversation, it really expands the options they have to get beyond 10 programs. The American Athletic Conference and Independents would also be the most likely recruiting ground for the Big 12 to bring in schools that would also benefit most from joining the conference.
Houston Cougars (AAC)
The Houston Cougars are one of the most intriguing parts of the Big 12 conference expansion discussion. They are an obvious geographical addition to the Big 12, and bring a huge TV market in the Houston-metro area. Former West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen would also bring a lot of excitement to the table for this conference.
Yet, the main problem for Houston joining the Big 12 would be that they already had trouble succeeding in a Group of Five conference last season as they finished up with just four wins total playing in the AAC.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane (AAC)
A dark horse addition to the honorable mentions that would be a very versatile addition to the Big 12 is the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. If tenured head coach Philip Montgomery could return the Tulsa football program to the heights they were once at in the early-to-mid 2010’s, they would bring both a solid football and basketball program as the third Oklahoma school in the Big 12.
Cincinnati Bearcats (AAC)
Another potential versatile addition that could come for the Big 12 would be the Cincinnati Bearcats, who bring a very solid football and men’s hoops program to the table. Cincinnati has a big TV market and also gives the Big 12 a new recruiting ground in the midwest, and stretching into the northeast.
Colorado State Rams (Mountain West)
If the Big 12 wants to look outside of the AAC or the Independent schools to find an answer to the expansion conversation, a good place to look is with the Colorado State Rams out of the Mountain West Conference. It would be a natural combo addition to the Big 12 if they could get both of the big Colorado schools. Colorado State would benefit greatly from a change of scenery too and provide new recruiting grounds for the Big 12.