Big 12 talk is back thanks to Texas.

[TheDog]

I don't know if Big 12 expansion will come true but I believe it is a possibility. The Big 12 will not stay at 10 members. They will expand at some point...next year...ten years? From the rumors circulating about Fox pushing for expansion that will not reduce payouts for the members is very promising. I'm not a media rights expert but this does sound feasible. You want to expand your brand because ultimately the money will follow and a strong brand is protection against being obsolete. The Big 12 was more reactive to grabbing teams and didn't do a much better job than the Big East in expansion. The Big East was doomed because the ACC had them in their sights.

I think new leadership at the school with the most influence is good for expansion and possibly for UC. I think Luck is a proponent of expansion but he has little influence at WVU.

[red_n_black_attack]

I'm not sure why this keeps getting brought up time-and-again. Let it die people, it ain't gonna happen.

Don't be a Debbie Downer

Optimism is the right of every fan, while I know it is a done deal that we are going, I do not believe it is a done deal we are not going. I don't believe you know that for a fact either.

The Big 12 makes a lot of sense for UC in terms of academics, student enrollment, number of sports in which we compete and the caliber of play in those sports. Add in a new TV territory and untapped potential growth in large metropolitan area with a huge and dare I say hungry alumni fan-base. If the crowds at the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl are any indication of potenital, we are at least in the conversation!

[Lobot]

IMO anyone other than DeLoss Dodds in the Texas AD office helps UC. It doesn't have to be Oliver Luck.

If Oliver Luck gets the job then we would at least have someone very familiar with our program in a position of influence at Texas but even if he stays at WVU we still have someone of influence in the BIG 12 just less influence than if he were at Texas. Texas is the big blockage in the artery that is Big 12 expansion.

[Big Herm]

I have long held the belief that the Big 12 is best fit for Cincinnati's athletic affiliation, but why does Oliver Luck being in Texas help the BEarcats?

Thank you. I have been wondering this same thing. Is it just that there might be renewed interest in expanding the conference with a new philosophy in the AD's office at the Big 12's power center or is there something else?

[red_n_black_attack]

Warning rumor mill:

Two prominent twitter accounts associated with WVU have Oliver Luck headed to Texas as AD. This supposedly sets in motion dominoes that bring in UC, UCF and USF into the Big 12. One of the accounts is semi respected and one is generally not.

Personally as much crap as I give Chip Brown at Orangebloods he was right on Dodds and I'm frankly waiting for him to say something on the Oliver Luck front.

The Oliver Luck angle has been a popular one.

I have long held the belief that the Big 12 is best fit for Cincinnati's athletic affiliation, but why does Oliver Luck being in Texas help the BEarcats?

I understand proximity to WV is enticing from a travel perspective; however two things:

1. UC and WVU do not have a "long" history together. A few years in the BEast and sharing a basketball coach or two over the last 35-40 years.

2. Even if WVU wants a geographical partner, why would Oliver care once he is in Texas? In my opinion, he will be trying to do things that satisfy his employer not benefit his former employer.

I personally hope that Fla State and Memphis are included in Big 12 expansion along with the Bearcats. At least those schools have former conference ties to UC with the Metro and Great Midwest/Conference USA respectively.

It will be an interesting offseason for the future of BEarcat athletics.

[CincyEngGrad02]

I'm not sure why this keeps getting brought up time-and-again. Let it die people, it ain't gonna happen.

[longtimefan]

I feel bad for UCONN, but... as our other past conference mates have done... CYA! I'd be happy with us and UCF or USF... I'll still miss the louisville rivalry though.

I was really hoping that however this ends up we could stick with UConn but maybe that is just not in the cards. The B12 would be a lot of travel for us, but no worse than now. For UConn it would be a major travel factor. If the B12 added both, think of the BB. UC, UConn, Kansas, Baylor, Texas, Oklohoma, K-State.....not bad at all.

[coach]

The other factor you have to consider is if the big 12 hints at adding teams like this article suggests, is there any possibility the acc or big ten make a preemptive strike to grow to 14 or 16 teams(acc). Those tv rights deals seem a little shakey from what i've heard, but there are definitely rumblings out there re: big ten. One thing is for certain, we have to give cronin credit for getting us back in the game for bball to where we are a top 25 contender. It may seem irrelevant, but it got us an upgrade last time so bball is not totally off the map. You are not going to win big in fball every year. Just to many moving parts to not have non championship seasons.

[True Bearcat]

Everyone is preparing for these supposed meetings that are suppose to take place in January. If the NCAA says that the conferences have to have a championship game, pack your bags we're heading west. If the NCAA says no championship game required we'll be in the AAC until the next wave of tv contracts is up.

[Lobot]

Here is the link to the article that has everyone stirred up...not the most glowing compliments to UC.

http://sportige.com/college-football...nnati-10-2013/

This reads like an intelligent write up of the stuff that The Dude and MHver3 were throwing out on twitter. I would take this article with a grain of salt. It EXTREMELY similar to what came out last night.

[Dambee]

I've seen the line up as UC, UCF, BYU, and USF for 14 teams. If they can't get BYU, then last team is basically open for discussion.

Here is the link to the article that has everyone stirred up...not the most glowing compliments to UC.

http://sportige.com/college-football...nnati-10-2013/

[coach]

The Oliver Luck angle is somewhat interesting. Wv sports are pretty much in the crapper. I guess they go enough money in the deal to take the heat off of wins and losses. Fball is pretty much a disaster, and Huggins had almost have his roster from last year(5 players) transfer. Oh well, as the world turns.. Maybe it's some angle to get Andre Luck to the Cowboys or Texans at some point. Oil money, you have to love it.

[Chewbacca2099]

I feel bad for UCONN, but... as our other past conference mates have done... CYA! I'd be happy with us and UCF or USF... I'll still miss the louisville rivalry though.

[dbernie41]

Please please please!

[Lobot]

I've seen the line up as UC, UCF, BYU, and USF for 14 teams. If they can't get BYU, then last team is basically open for discussion.