It won't be another half-decade until the conference carousel resumes. While I think Iowa State won't wind up relegated to a second-tier league as some previously feared, it's in ISU's best interests to keep the Big XII as strong as possible, no matter what other members are lured elsewhere.
The Big Ten -- unable to draw from the ACC because of its grant of rights through 2036 -- probably will seek two new members from the Big XII. While it'd be nice to see the U of I stand up for Ames as a B1G candidate, it's not gonna happen; the likely targets? Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. The first two are the most likely to join, given the Longhorns' not being able to play well with others (and that ESPN-funded network).
Who replaces KU and OU? The candidates will probably come from the American. From most likely to least, candidates are:
Cincinnati
Memphis
Houston
Central Florida
South Florida
Connecticut
Temple
Southern Methodist
Tulane
East Carolina
Tulsa
I see only two selected, with Cincinnati a good partner for WVU and Memphis a basketball power with decent football. I don't see UT taking in a "directional" school, regardless of its football prowess (sorry, UCF and USF).
Your thoughts?.
