Big 12 Conference Narrows List of Expansion Candidates

The Big 12 conference has narrowed it’s list of expansion candidates to eleven. According to a report from Brett McMurphy and Jake Trotter of ESPN, those schools include Air Force, BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, UConn, Colorado State, Houston, Rice, South Florida, SMU and Tulane.

Most notably, Memphis, one of the schools many considered to be a prime candidate (because who doesn’t love FedEx?!), is out of the running. The reason for their cut from the list isn’t clear, but the report states that the Big 12 is looking for a team that does not need “propped up” and that can strengthen and add value to the conference.

Representatives from the eleven remaining schools are reportedly set to meet with Big 12 officials to make in-person pitches for their respective school.

The next Big 12 board of directors meeting is set to take place on October 17, where a decision could be made in regards to whether to stand pat or expand the conference.