more *rumors* – pac16?

Not a bad list although I thought TCU had a better shot than TTU. Probably had to do with academics over market size.

Honestly, even if that happened, BYU wouldn’t be pitching themselves to anyone.  The Big 12 would still be more likely to backfill than to disband – same story as what the Big East did when they shot out invites to more and more non-AQ teams.

Memphis, Boise, SMU, USF, San Diego St and UNLV (or CSU) would just come in. Honestly, the perception would take a huge hit and Oklahoma St would be a big loss, but I’m not completely convinced the 6 I listed would be much worse long term (if they can survive initially).  SMU, USF, SDSU, UNLV are all huge markets; Memphis, Boise, SMU, SDSU have all been pretty strong on the field.

I would like this, but I think there is another configuration that makes more sense: 
OSU, KU, TT, UH, Baylor, TCU. 
Basically all the Texas schools. KU is a Basketball and Academic fit, OSU and the oil money, relative success and brand make them a no Brainer. 

This gives the 2nd strongest footing in Texas behind the SEC, including smaller growing markets and keeps the west locked down pretty well. If we then go to 20 or 24, we would likely think UNLV, SDSU to steal what we can on the fringe of the LA markets. If to 24, then try to grab UCF, USF, Cincy, WVU, ISU, and maybe CSU.

Cincinnati?  Pass.  Good program, but too far.

Kansas?  Pass.  Bad [football] program.  Their basketball program is top notch, but their fanbase is even smaller than ybU’s.

Houston?  Meh.  Not a bad program, and they meet the Pac-12’s research requirement, but I’d rather have Baylor — another Texas team that meets our Tier-1 Research provision.  Plus Baylor has the larger fanbase, and the better football program.

Texas Tech and Oklahoma St?  Yeah.  I could go along with that.

Iowa St?  Meh.  I like them better than Houston, but I could take it or leave it.

Much love to Nessie. 

Maybe we compromise and say the OP’s source was something we can all agree definitely doesn’t exist?

Such as, maybe it was a BYU grad that can grow a full beard?

Or, maybe it was a someone training for a marathon who doesn’t tell you in the first 30 seconds of meeting them that they’re training for a marathon?

Correct you are Central Coast Ute.  If USC were really that adamant that UO and UU were to come to the BigTen too, they would have made this known BEFORE they’d signed on to joining them.

The most plausible scenario that I’d heard is that the BigTen is done expanding until Notre Dame decides what they want to do.  And if the Irish want to join, they’d already called out “Stanford” as their preferred Pac-12 team.  The BigTen would invite Eastern Kentucky if that’s what it would take to land the Irish, so if ND says, “Stanford”, then “Stanford” it is.  And that means it’ll be UO and SU; not UO and UU.

I’m not saying that I don’t want to see Utah going to the BigTen, nor am I saying we have no shot.  I’m just saying we’re a bit lower on the pecking order to get there.  If the BigTen wants to add two more teams, we’re out.  If they want to add four more, THEN our chances are good.

Just my opinion.