Written by Dennis Dodd at CBSSports.com
Almost lost in Tuesday’s shocking announcement of the Big 12’s expansion exploration was that Texas has apparently changed its mind and jumped on board.
At least for now.
Previously, it was the only school we knew for sure had an opinion on the subject. Oklahoma president David Boren has flip-flopped more than, well, David Boren.
Meanwhile, athletic director Mike Perrin stated in early June that Texas was not in favor of expansion. “The prudent thing [for the Big 12] to do is stay where we are,” Perrin told reporters.
What changed? When the presidents voted Tuesday to formally explore expansion, it was unanimous.
It seems that Texas has flipped. On Tuesday afternoon, the entire room full of Big 12 presidents followed with their own acrobatics.
So, what happened?
Texas can probably continue to control the process — right down to who gets in.What’s new, right?
“I’m open to expansion if the proposal is a strong one,” Texas president Greg Fenves said in a Wednesday statement. “The conference is actively evaluating the possibilities.”
That should be viewed as a positive. Read between the lines: Texas (and Oklahoma) are most comfortable in a conference it can win with like-minded universities in roughly the same geographic region.
Can Oklahoma win the SEC? Sure, but it’s going to be a hell of a lot harder. And a Bob Stoops probably isn’t winning nine titles in 17 years in the SEC. Can Texas win the Pac-12? Sure, but not without taking four-hour plane flights for some road games.
Suddenly, a Big 12 fortified with two or four more teams looks comfortable going forward for Texas and Oklahoma.
It’s will be less likely for the Big 12 to gain or lose members in the future. One source said that with the ACC’s grant of rights now extending out through 2036, it will be harder for the Big 12 to pluck or be plucked.
That includes Florida State and Clemson, which were rumored to be Big 12 targets if the ACC didn’t get its network, and Pac-12 targets that have been rumored like Arizona and Arizona State.
With that ACC Network, that takes 15 teams — including Notre Dame — out of the next great round of conference realignment. Because of that, there may not be a next great round of conference realignment.
