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Message: [QUOTE="HtownOrange, post: 638346, member: 622"] A few thoughts: 1) The Big 12 has the smallest population footprint of all major conferences. When this TV deal ends, they will not likely get the same generosity as they have now. The B1G will get a new deal in a couple years, the SEC is reworking their deal now, the ACC has a new deal and has 5-year look-ins. 2) Texas is NOT interested in the SEC and has made this known. The SEC would take Texas. If Texas leaves the Big 12, they will go to a conference with academic peers, a.k.a. PAC 12, ACC, or B1G. 3) The PAC 12 is not interested in lowering their academics, they will go for status quo by taking Texas (academic giant, large state population), OU and two others, but OU alone is not good enough (Think Stanford, UCLA, USC Cal). No religious schools need apply, nor does AFA, (Again, think, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Cal). BYU, SMU, TCU and Baylor are NOT going to the PAC 12. Also, BSU, UNLV, UNM, etc. are not likely to bring enough academics/population cache for an invite, if OU is not enough with a national TV draw and 4 million in population, not sure why anyone thinks the others are good/prime candidates for the PAC 12. 4) OU can go SEC, they had an invite and decided to stay with Texas. They can ride Texas' coattails or go SEC. Any conference that gets two will hit the lottery. 5) TTech, OSU, ISU and KSU lack academic draw for the PAC 12, ACC and B1G. They will only go to one of these conferences if Texas drags them along. 6) If the Big 12 is to survive beyond their current deal, they will need to expand their footprint, and do so significantly. Cincy, USF/UCF, and 2-4 more might be enough to stay relevant. UT's ego is big enough to try something of this nature. However, if the LHN does not become profitable to ESPN, they may no continue it. 7) If Texas really wants the Big 12 to survive, they may change the LHN to the Big 12 network. In short, I think the current set up is likely to exist until near the end of the current TV deals. Texas and OU will decide what to do at that time. Also, ESPN and Fox will determine whether an expanded Big 12 footprint is sufficient for another network and big money. [/QUOTE]

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