Pac-12: Analyzing the candidates for conference expansion
Unlikely
University of Kansas
Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
Kansas is college basketball royalty. They are second to only Kentucky (four behind) in all-time wins. Imagine what it would be like to see an annual UCLA-Kansas hoops matchup. That is television gold.
Football-wise, KU is an also-ran. Actually, that’s a slap in the face of also-rans. The Jayhawks had three winning seasons this century and are 500-635-54 all-time. Maybe in a different conference, their fortunes could change, but it’s hard to fathom.
Speculation about the Jayhawks in the Pac-12 is mostly moot. Reportedly, the Big Ten is interested in KU. It’s a better fit for the school. If not the Big Ten, then the ACC.
Kansas State
The Wildcats are Kansas-lite, without the reputation. Aside from the Bill Snyder era, KSU is a failure.
Also, no one will confuse Manhattan, Kansas, with Manhattan, New York as a media market. Throw in that their home stadium capacity would rank ninth in the current Pac-12; Kansas State doesn’t bring nearly enough to the table.
If K-State gets picked up by a new conference, they are on the buddy plan with KU.
Colorado State
Except for Colorado and Utah, every Pac-12 team has a geographic rival. CSU would be that for the Buffaloes. Otherwise, the Rams are pretty blah as a Pac-12 school. They don’t bring much cache’ with them in athletics. Adding them won’t add many more eyes on TVs. Besides, the Buffs have that market wrapped up.