When Texas and Oklahoma announced a month or so ago that they were headed to the SEC, you knew the Big 12 would at some point respond.
And on Friday, they did, making the announcement that many of us have expected for weeks: They are officially adding four schools, BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF.
While not every school could officially accept on Friday - due to those pesky TV contracts in the AAC - it appears as though all are ready to take their commitment to the next level.
BYU, well, they got straight to the point.
Cincinnati, well again, likely because of a binding contract with the AAC, played it a bit more coy.
Then there were Central Florida and Houston, which went more for the "Goofy GIF" vibe.
Then there were reactions from the Big 12 itself.
Clearly the conference was in an impossible situation, but all things considered, they kind of did the best they could.
They added four really good football schools, with three having played in a New Year's Six bowl game since 2016. Both Houston and Central Florida pulled off upsets of Florida State and Auburn in the process, while Cincinnati played Georgia down to the wire last year. BYU on the other hand is coming off one of the best seasons in school history, and just produced the No. 2 in the NFL Draft in Zach Wilson.
There are other effects too: With BYU now in the mix, it opens up a new TV window (10pm ET) for more Big 12 football on your screens. And while basketball isn't exactly an important factor here, they also added three really good basketball programs as well. Houston is of course coming off a Final Four.
Clearly the other eight schools - which didn't know what their futures held as recently as a few weeks ago - are happy. Here are some of the responses.
In terms of what's next, well, a few things.
First off, per multiple reports, it appears as though all four schools will start play for the 2023-2024 season. Meaning that we still have two full seasons left in the current iteration.
It also means we likely get a year where those four schools overlap with Texas and Oklahoma, creating a 14-team, Big 12 for the 2023-2024 season. The Sooners and Longhorns will leave for the SEC after that.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see what the reception to this league is.
While you could actually argue that the football product is deeper now than it was when Oklahoma and Texas were in the league (sorry Longhorn fans, it's true) will people still look at this as a "Power 5" conference? Or somewhere in between?
Then there is the AAC, which just had its three best programs ripped from the league. Much like when Texas and Oklahoma left, there is no one comparable to replace them with, although it will be interesting to see the league try.
Still, as mentioned above, it was a good day for the Big 12 no doubt, all things considered.
Now, who is ready for a little Oklahoma State at BYU, Big 12 After Dark, action?
To hear more reaction to the Big 12 expansion news, you can listen to today's Aaron Torres Podcast
Comments