HJS {l Wrote}:B12 authorized Bowlsby to begin conversations with prospective schools. This about face on expansion was caused by the announcement from the ACC. That said, B12 has the feel of the old Big East. I'd bet money that neither Texas or Oklahoma have any interest in expansion... especially when AAC members are the only options. This feels more like a love by the other schools to have Texas, OU and OSU reaffirm their commitment.
I don't know how the B12 passes on Houston and BYU.
http://www.si.com/college-football/2016/07/19/big-12-expansion-news-candidates-bob-bowlsbyThe leaders in the clubhouse for Big 12 expansion remain BYU, Cincinnati and Connecticut. The next tier includes South Florida, Central Florida, Memphis, Colorado State, Houston, Boise State and Tulane. If the league does add four schools, there’s really no standout candidate for that fourth slot. (Houston has the best program and television market of available schools, but there’s still some hesitancy within the state of Texas to allow the Cougars to use the Big 12 to potentially leap over current members).
Thamel seemed bearish on Houston getting in, which is shocking considering the quality of some of the other tier II schools its grouped with (USF/Tulane/Colorado St) as well as UConn. This conference is toast if there is a push to 16 team leagues or the Big 12 can get a defection or two from another conference, which sounds like it is legally impossible given the grants being signed by schools.