Pac-12: Analyzing the candidates for conference expansion
Raiding the Big 12
Texas Tech
Lubbock, Texas, isn’t exactly a media hub. Critics will say Texas Tech doesn’t add much in terms of growing the Pac-12’s presence. Those people are missing the bigger picture.
By adding TTU, the Pac-12 gets a foothold in Texas. The Lone Star State might be the most fertile recruiting ground in college football. Look at what adding Texas A&M did for the overall talent in the SEC.
Texas Tech has a current enrollment of over 36,000 students. When those students graduate, they go to cities such as Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. The Red Raiders also fill Jones AT&T Stadium to capacity (60,000+) on football Saturdays. In 2010, the Sporting News said it was the biggest home-field advantage in college football. If Texas Tech is playing, people are watching.
Oklahoma State
In the grand scheme of things, OSU brings very little in growing the conference. Like Kansas State, Oklahoma State is located in a small city (Stillwater, Ok) with a small media footprint. Additionally, they will always be seen as the “little brother” to NCAA powerhouse Oklahoma.
Putting that aside the Cowboys have quite a bit of cache’ athletically. OSU is a staple in both the football and basketball polls. They are also a college baseball power. Oklahoma State baseball would be another reason to watch the Pac-12 Network in the spring.
If Texas Tech comes in, they need a geographic partner. Oklahoma State fits best as a Pac-12 member than any other former Big 12 school.
Conclusions
Ideally, the Pac-12 expands to 16 teams. From a football standpoint adding Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, UNLV, and Brigham Young (football only) bring the most value. For the rest of the sports, either New Mexico or Nevada works best to balance out the conference.
There would likely be strong resistance to BYU despite any boost the conference gets financially and competitively. In that case, the Pac-12 can make a move similar to when they added Arizona and Arizona State in 1978.
What schools do you think are good candidates to join the Pac-12? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.