Some rumors going around in media back East that the Big Ten is considering invites to North Carolina and Virginia. SEC is considering invites to Clemson and Florida State (not sure if something changed to make it possible so I'm not putting much stock in that).

the sec doesn't want clemson of florida state ... the are going to launch a BIG style network in 2014 and they want new markets .. (north carolia and virginia)

if the SEC goes e clemson and flto 16 we will havorida st to expand into .... and most likely georgia tech or NCstate

I think that the Big 12 will be gone in a couple of years, and they know it... I look to see OU and Texas in the PAC within 5 years, and maybe they drag along OSU and Texas Tech with them. Who knows what will happend to the rest of the conference... but our content attitude to stay at 10 makes me believe that we are just trying to hold a conference together till something better comes along

I think that the Big 12 will be gone in a couple of years, and they know it... I look to see OU and Texas in the PAC within 5 years, and maybe they drag along OSU and Texas Tech with them. Who knows what will happend to the rest of the conference... but our content attitude to stay at 10 makes me believe that we are just trying to hold a conference together till something better comes along

Quite possible. If the Big 12 dies, it nullifies the 13 year TV rights agreements.

the sec doesn't want clemson of florida state ... the are going to launch a BIG style network in 2014 and they want new markets .. (north carolia and virginia)

if the SEC goes e clemson and flto 16 we will havorida st to expand into .... and most likely georgia tech or NCstate

If the SEC wants new markets, Virginia Tech and NC State state the most sense. GT does give them Atlanta...but they already have it most of the time.

I think that the Big 12 will be gone in a couple of years, and they know it... I look to see OU and Texas in the PAC within 5 years, and maybe they drag along OSU and Texas Tech with them. Who knows what will happend to the rest of the conference... but our content attitude to stay at 10 makes me believe that we are just trying to hold a conference together till something better comes along

I am afraid you are right. I know one thing, as an east coaster I am not staying up until 2AM watching the end of the OU/Washington St game.

Quite possible. If the Big 12 dies, it nullifies the 13 year TV rights agreements.

it takes 8 votes to kill the grant of rights ... that is not going to happen ..

it takes 8 votes to kill the grant of rights ... that is not going to happen ..

Who gets paid if the conference no longer exists?

Who gets paid if the conference no longer exists?

the teams that are left ...

I think Venture was saying if the league folds, there is no one left. How many votes does it take to disband? Or can the Conference office just say - we quit.

I think Venture was saying if the league folds, there is no one left. How many votes does it take to disband? Or can the Conference office just say - we quit.

Exactly. I didn't realize I was being that cryptic when I said "if the Big 12 dies." LOL

I think Venture was saying if the league folds, there is no one left. How many votes does it take to disband? Or can the Conference office just say - we quit.

it takes 8 votes to disband 75% so the league is not going away ... and the GOR is very legit ... no one is leaving the big 12 for 13 years

it takes 8 votes to disband 75% so the league is not going away ... and the GOR is very legit ... no one is leaving the big 12 for 13 years

Now that everyone is on the same page, we can take this forward with the mindset that the Big 12 might then be forced into growing.

Dodd did a fairly decent write on the Big 12 today: Why the Big 12 is happy with 10 amid the latest round of realignment - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/dennis-dodd/21177715/why-the-big-12-is-happy-with-10-amid-the-latest-round-of-realignment)

Key Points


One industry source estimated Big 12 schools will be cashing checks for $30 million-plus in the first year of the playoff beginning in 2014. The total now stands at approximately $20 million per school. Beginning in 2014, the Big 12 will begin taking in $40 million per year from the alignment with the Sugar Bowl (previously Champions Bowl).


Big 12 expansion rests, indirectly, on a perceived gentleman's agreement with the SEC. The league supposedly would not expand to states where there currently are teams. That seemingly takes Florida State, Clemson and Georgia Tech out of the mix.
If the SEC honors that agreement, then the SEC might go after NC State and/or Virginia Tech if Mike Slive feels like he has to respond to the Big Ten's recent moves. In that occurrence, Florida State, Clemson and Georgia Tech would be in play for the Big 12.

Even then industry sources argue whether one or some combination of those schools brings pro rata – at least equal value – to the Big 12.


The Big 12 can't lose any schools in next 13 years (see below) so a raid by another conference seems unlikely. Think of a law of diminishing returns. The ACC's 14 aren't going to be making as much as the Big 12's 10. The pecking order will remain the same: The Big Ten and SEC will be 1-2 in revenue in some order. The Big 12 and Pac-12 will be 3-4 in some order. The ACC will be the fifth major conference, still most vulnerable to being picked apart by one of the other four.

So pretty much Big 12 schools will make more money with this setup than if they added others, but I wonder how long that will really last. He also pointed out the grant of TV rights locking everyone in for 13 years.

It is interesting that the same schools we mention here are the ones he is talking about - FSU, Clemson, and GT. He also brings up Miami and Virginia Tech. Depending on the year, that is a lot of high profile football programs that could make the Big 12 a solid competitor to the SEC. It almost seems like that is how the two conferences want it as well (i.e. Champions Bowl) and if the SEC goes to 16 they'll expect the Big 12 to keep up and let there be some overlap in markets.

Midd Tennessee State and Florida Atlantic are moving to C-USA.

Middle Tennessee State, Florida Atlantic to join Conference USA - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/eye-on-college-football/21176630/report-middle-tennessee-state-florida-atlantic-to-join-conference-usa)

I think that the Big 12 will be gone in a couple of years, and they know it... I look to see OU and Texas in the PAC within 5 years, and maybe they drag along OSU and Texas Tech with them. Who knows what will happend to the rest of the conference... but our content attitude to stay at 10 makes me believe that we are just trying to hold a conference together till something better comes along

Let's pretend, for argument's sake, we don't know about the GOR or the 8-votes-to-disband-rule. Even beyond that, it'd take a temper tantrum of nuclear proportions for that to happen, because *no* conference in the country wants Texas with its LHN. Texas would rather be a three-team conference with OSU and a fraternity flag football team before it gives up LHN. Now, some might just say "Texas will go independent," but with other schools joining ever larger conferences, scheduling becomes a nightmare - even Notre Dame realizes it can't continue without a nod to a conference in their hip pocket.

That also happens to be the only reason we're holding at 10, because that's what Texas wants. Texas must have a viable conference that will let them retain the LHN, and the B12 is the only one left that will entertain it. I think OU could have leveraged a deal to go elsewhere, but I think Boren blew up all the leverage he had in his faux Pac 12 dance from last year.

We'll see how it works out.

Sun Belt is talking to New Mexico State, Idaho, and Georgia Southern. NMST and ID are both independents due to the WAC blowing up. GA Southern is moving up to FBS.

Georgia Southen is moving up? Who is the SEC going to play now in late season non-conference games?

Where is Colorado State going? Cincinnati?

Where is Colorado State going? Cincinnati?

Staying where they are mwc and big east. Although cinn might be a future acc team if they lose some more

FSU & Clemson to the Big 12 is the latest hot rumor

FSU & Clemson to the Big 12 is the latest hot rumor

I do not care about Clemson coming to the Big 12 but I would love it if Florida State would come to the Big 12, it would almost make up the loss of Nebraska

Florida State and Oklahoma would have a great rivarly in the Big 12, I would be very excited for that so I hope it comes true!

Clemson would be a good consolation prize for Colorado. Not as good of a market, but they'll probably be consistently a better team.

FSU & Clemson to the Big 12 is the latest hot rumor

Not really a hot new rumor. Both have looked into the Big 12 at one time or another over the last year.

Clemson would be a good consolation prize for Colorado. Not as good of a market, but they'll probably be consistently a better team.

That is true, I am glad Colorado left

Not really a hot new rumor. Both have looked into the Big 12 at one time or another over the last year.

As you say there was talk about this possibility but it died down after Notre dame moved their conference affiliation from the Big East to the ACC. At that time most people said the ACC was in good shape for the long run. Everything changed when the B1G raided the ACC. This has made everyone explore their options again, so this is somewhat new and hot…. it’s just round 2 of the same thing.

Some say that Texas is the only university not really wanting it. It would diminish their power.
IMHO I don’t mind FSU because it might open doors for other B12 university into the fertile recruiting grounds of Florida.
But there might be better options available than Clemson?

Will B12 get off sidelines as Fla St looks around?
Chip Brown
Orangebloods.com Columnist

Talk about it in Inside the 40 Acres
There are those in the Big 12, which has the smallest TV household footprint of all the major conferences, who are growing increasingly restless with a wait-and-see approach to expansion when they think it's clear the Big Ten is still shopping around the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Nothing about realignment makes sense.

But what makes absolutely no sense to an increasing number in the Big 12 is sitting back and watching the conference with the largest TV household footprint (Big Ten) looking to get even larger with the additions of Rutgers, Maryland and perhaps more, sources say.

Because the Big Ten requires its schools to be members of the American Association of Universities, considered the nation's top public and private research institutions, increasing speculation has focused on if the Big Ten would go to 16 by trying to lure Georgia Tech and North Carolina, both of whom have denied contact, or possibly even Virginia.

Florida State is not a member of the AAU. So the thought in the Big 12, it seems, has been the Big Ten won't take Florida State, and the SEC has never expressed an interest in Florida State because of an unwritten agreement that Florida be the only SEC school in the state.


FLORIDA STATE LOOKING AROUND: But it should be getting more and more clear after Maryland's departure from the ACC, Florida State is not sitting around playing solitaire.

According to Warchant.com, the Florida State site on the Yahoo!/Rivals network, FSU officials are now exploring conference options and have put out feelers to the Big Ten.

Warchant.com has also reported there appears to be a movement in the SEC led by Alabama to make the conference rethink its stance against adding Florida State and/or Clemson.

Big 12 sources told Orangebloods.com last summer the priority list of potential expansion targets would be Notre Dame's Olympic sports, followed by Florida State and Georgia Tech - if those schools reached out to the Big 12.

But according to multiple sources, Florida State did not even come up at a Big 12 athletic directors' meeting in New York on Tuesday when new commissioner Bob Bowlsby gave his realignment update.


BIG 12 ON THE SIDELINES? With Texas leading the courtship of Notre Dame, the rest of the Big 12 began to think the Irish would place their non-football sports in the Big 12.

But the ACC, led by self-preservation commissioner John Swofford, changed its previous stance on full membership or no membership. Suddenly, Notre Dame's Olympic sports and five annual football games against the Irish were in the ACC.

Swofford also made sure the exit fees from the ACC were raised to $50 million, and a lawsuit has already been filed against Maryland by the rest of the ACC demanding every penny.

The raised exit fees and lawsuit don't seem to be a deterrent for Florida State at the moment.


THE TEXAS INFLUENCE: Because Texas has always been a founding voice in the Big 12 and is seen as the anchor that saved the league by sitting tight in 2010, the Longhorns have continued to drive conference policy.

And Texas continues to be the loudest voice favoring a 10-team league because it makes for easier scheduling with 9 conference football games (everyone plays everyone) and round-robin scheduling in basketball; no conference title football game to potentially derail an undefeated team from the national title picture; and fewer schools to share TV revenue with.

But sources in the Big 12 tell Orangebloods.com there is increasing disagreement about these positions.

Those sources argue it's actually easier to get to a national title game in a league with divisions because there's an increased chance the best teams won't always play each other and knock each other off.

Look at the SEC this year.

Alabama didn't play the best teams from the SEC East - Florida, Georgia or South Carolina - during the regular season.

And Georgia didn't play the best teams from the SEC West - Alabama, LSU or Texas A&M - during the regular season. And those two played for the right to be in this year's national title game.


MAKING THE RIGHT MOVE: To be perfectly clear, no one in the Big 12 wants to expand simply to expand. The Big 12 commissioned a study on the value of adding schools like Louisville and Cincinnati and decided the value wasn't there.

But Florida State and a partner out of the ACC - either Clemson, Miami, Virginia Tech or all of them, would be adding real value, three officials in the Big 12 told Orangebloods.com Tuesday.

Published reports have said Maryland stands to make $100 million more in its first five years in the Big Ten than it would have made in a new TV agreement between the ACC and ESPN.


INCREASING THE BOTTOM LINE: In the Big 12, new, TV contracts with ESPN and Fox totaling $2.6 billion as well as a $960 million ESPN TV contract for a bowl game with the SEC - all through 2025 - are providing nice bottom lines of roughly $28 million annually for Big 12 members - in addition to third-tier TV deals (Texas makes $15 million annually from ESPN for the Longhorn Network).

But the only way for schools in the Big 12 to grow in TV revenue is by expanding its footprint. And the only way for a league with one-third the population (36.6 million) of the Big Ten (103.9 million) is by adding the Seminoles in a state with 19 million people, those sources say.

Basically, those sources want new commissioner Bob Bowlsby to make Florida State his top priority, whether Texas agrees or not. Sources at Texas say UT does not have an iron-clad stance against expansion but definitely favors 10 schools.


MOVE IT OR LOSE IT: There is increasing fear in the Big 12 that if the league doesn't get proactive on expansion, Florida State could get away - either to the SEC or, God forbid, the Big Ten if Delany could convince his schools to make an exception to its AAU membership requirement.

Talk about TV market domination by one conference.

Florida State would need a partner in the Big 12, most likely Clemson or Miami. Or the Big 12 could get really aggressive and go after Florida State, Clemson, Miami and Virginia Tech.

There would be a touch of irony in all of that considering the ACC rejected Texas and its Longhorn Network as a potential expansion target last September when Oklahoma and Oklahoma State flirted with the Pac-12. Instead, the ACC grabbed Syracuse and Pitt.

"If you rely on the rules in other conferences as they are written or someone's word in times like this, you get left behind," one official at a Big 12 school said. "We learned that lesson with Notre Dame going to the ACC."

And one source said if the Big 12 took the Big Ten's approach by shopping around the ACC, it might come with Notre Dame's Olympic sports after all.

Good story. I can only hope that some of it works out. Would really like to see the slam dunk of 4 ACC schools + ND Olympic sports. That would cement the Big 12 in stability with the SEC and B1G.

Seven schools decide to leave Big East, pursue new basketball framework - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8749700/seven-schools-decide-leave-big-east-pursue-new-basketball-framework)

The Big East implosion continues, the basketball schools weren't happy about the new football programs added, so many of them are bolting. Wouldn't surprise me to see them try to join the ACC is basketball only for Duke and NC.

I saw a story that the Big East's media contract will only bring the conference around $60 million a year. Picking them apart should not be hard at this point.

Seven schools decide to leave Big East, pursue new basketball framework - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8749700/seven-schools-decide-leave-big-east-pursue-new-basketball-framework)

The Big East implosion continues, the basketball schools weren't happy about the new football programs added, so many of them are bolting. Wouldn't surprise me to see them try to join the ACC is basketball only for Duke and NC.
I think they will go back to their roots, which is a focus on basketball and schools that only play I-AA football and most of the schools in that group leaving seem to have no intention of football moving up to I-AA like UCONN did. I expect them to reclaim the Big East name after the football programs get picked up by other conferences. It probably helps basketball for there to be a strong Big East conference and I don't blame those programs for looking out for their best interest, after all that is what the programs with football teams have been doing.

Big East contacts Fresno State and UNLV about joining in football - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/dennis-dodd/21425151/big-east-contacts-fresno-state-and-unlv-about-joining-in-football)

Big East is talking to Fresno St, UNLV, and BYU now.

Mountain West restructures deal with CBS - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/dennis-dodd/21436698/mountain-west-restructures-deal-with-cbs)

CBS redid their deal with the MWC. Reports coming out that Boise State may stick with the MWC now instead of the dying Big East.

That would be a very smart decision for them for many reasons.

Mountain West restructures deal with CBS - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/dennis-dodd/21436698/mountain-west-restructures-deal-with-cbs)

CBS redid their deal with the MWC. Reports coming out that Boise State may stick with the MWC now instead of the dying Big East.

And if they do so will San Diego st. And then the Mwc could grow as they like from a position of powet

Boise St has notified the Big East that they are staying in the MWC. A VERY good call by them.

Boise State not going to Big East, will remain in Mountain West - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/eye-on-college-football/21478786/report-boise-state-not-going-to-big-east-will-remain-in-mountain-west)

BSU will have to pay the $10 mil exit fee, but the MWC will help them with it. The contract between the Big East and SDSU had a clause that if BSU left, they were allowed to leave without penalty. The story goes on that this puts the MWC at 11 schools, and SDSU (if they return) would make it 12 so they could do a championship game.

More MWC news...they are talking to 3-5 additional schools to join: Mountain West might not be done; UTEP, other Texas schools discussed - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/jeremy-fowler/21478937/mountain-west-might-not-be-done-texas-schools-in-discussion)

SDSU is one, as previously mentioned. UTEP, SMU, and Houston are also in talks. BYU is a low level rumor right now.

The story also mentions that UConn and Cincy are waiting for ACC invites now.

Considering that the Big East is losing their BCS status, it makes sense. They'd have no competitive advantage in going there.

Seems like a fair chance the Big East is either gone entirely by 2015 or the name lives on for the basketball only schools.

I did not realize CUSA was in similar shape. Several of the teams that were joining the Big East came from CUSA, they are slated to get eight new teams and it sounds like a couple of the schools with a history in CUSA still in it are not happy with the all the realignment. If they take UTEP, SMU, and Houston; then Tulsa might be a candidate for number 16, they are possibly the best football team left in CUSA with a history with the others to make a south division/subdivision, though picking off one of the remaining Big East schools might have a larger TV market.

Just out...Boise State is required MWC to invite San Diego State if they are to come back.

Boise State: San Diego State must be next invite to Mountain West - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/dennis-dodd/21486994/boise-state-san-diego-state-must-be-next-invite-to-mountain-west)

So looks like they are just all but guaranteed to be the 12th school.

So looks like Houston, SMU, UTEP and BYU would be used to fill it to 16...which would block Tulsa.

At this point we might see something with remaining CUSA and Big East football schools to work something out. I'm not sure if CUSA would be able to raid the Sun Belt and MAC for any additional schools.

Seems like a fair chance the Big East is either gone entirely by 2015 or the name lives on for the basketball only schools.


i thought a large group of the basketball only schools had already announced they were leaving as well

EDIT: Found link Seven schools decide to leave Big East, pursue new basketball framework - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8749700/seven-schools-decide-leave-big-east-pursue-new-basketball-framework)

Couple random realignment ideas...

Big 12Sun BeltBig EastAtlantic CoastConference USABig TenMid AmericanPacific 12FBS IndependentsMountain WestSECWestern AthleticCincinnatiLa.-Monroe
ConnecticutCharlotteMichigan St.UMassOregonNotre DameAir ForceSouth Carolina
Kansas St.Troy
Boston CollegeMarshallOhio St.Miami (Ohio)StanfordArmyBoise St.Florida
Iowa St.La.-Lafayette
SyracuseUABMichiganKent St.Oregon St.
Colorado St.Georgia
KansasArkansas St.
PittsburghFla. AtlanticMarylandBowling GreenWashington St.
New MexicoKentucky
West VirginiaS. Alabama
DukeOld DominionPenn St.BuffaloCalifornia
SMUTennessee
LouisvilleTexas State
Wake ForestFIUVirginiaAkronWashington
Utah St.Vanderbilt
Oklahoma St.

Temple
RutgersE. Michigan

HoustonN. Carolina St.
Oklahoma



North Carolina


UTEPVirginia Tech












BaylorGeorgia St
MemphisLouisiana TechNorthwesternOhioArizona St.
NevadaAuburn
Texas TechNew Mexico St.
Southern MissNorth TexasPurdueToledoArizona
UNLVLSU
Florida St.Idaho
South FloridaUniv TX San AntMinnesotaNorthern IllinoisUCLA
WyomingArkansas
ClemsonGeorgia Southern
NavyTulsaIndianaW. MichiganUSC
Fresno St.Alabama
Georgia Tech

UCFM. Tenn. St.NebraskaBall St.Colorado
HawaiiMississippi St.
Miami (Fla.)

East CarolinaRiceWisconsinC. MichiganUtah
San Jose St.Mississippi
TCU

Tulane
IowaW. Kentucky

San Diego St.Texas A&M
Texas



Illinois


BYUMissouri


Or if 16 is the magic number for everyone...

Big 12Sun BeltBig EastAtlantic CoastConference USABig TenMid AmericanPacific 12FBS IndependentsMountain WestSECWestern AthleticCincinnati

ConnecticutCharlotteMichigan St.UMassOregonNotre DameTexas StateSouth Carolina
Kansas St.

Boston CollegeMarshallOhio St.Miami (Ohio)StanfordArmyIdahoFlorida
Iowa St.

SyracuseUABMichiganKent St.Oregon St.
Colorado St.Georgia
Kansas

PittsburghFla. AtlanticMarylandBowling GreenWashington St.
New MexicoKentucky
West Virginia

DukeOld DominionPenn St.BuffaloCalifornia
SMUTennessee
Louisville

Wake ForestFIUVirginiaAkronWashington
La.-LafayetteVanderbilt
Oklahoma St.

TempleS. AlabamaRutgersE. MichiganBoise St.
HoustonN. Carolina St.
Oklahoma


Georgia StNorth CarolinaW. MichiganAir Force
UTEPVirginia Tech












Baylor

MemphisLouisiana TechNorthwesternArkansas St.Arizona St.
NevadaAuburn
Texas Tech

Southern MissNorth TexasPurdueOhioArizona
UNLVLSU
Florida St.

South FloridaUniv TX San AntMinnesotaNorthern IllinoisUCLA
WyomingArkansas
Clemson

NavyTulsaIndianaToledoUSC
New Mexico St.Alabama
Georgia Tech

UCFM. Tenn. St.NebraskaBall St.Colorado
HawaiiMississippi St.
Miami (Fla.)

East CarolinaRiceWisconsinC. MichiganUtah
San Jose St.Mississippi
TCU

TulaneLa.-MonroeIowaW. KentuckyFresno St.
Utah St.Texas A&M
Texas


Georgia SouthernIllinoisTroySan Diego St.
BYUMissouri

OU will never want to be in a division away from the texas schools ..

OU will never want to be in a division away from the texas schools ..

I didn't really spend time working out divisions. LOL

Just pick the 8 winningest programs by percentage since 1950 and let them be conference captains. If two or more teams mutually agree that they want to be in the same conference (Ohio St/Michigan) then they decide who the captain is and the captain seat goes to the 9th team on the list. Then chose up sides playground style until all the teams are gone.

the ACC poaching will begin again in a few weeks .. and then the big 4 will be solidified for the long term

the ACC poaching will begin again in a few weeks .. and then the big 4 will be solidified for the long term

Being from NC, I cannot imagine a conference that did not include UNC, NC State, Duke, and Wake Forest......oh how times change.

SDSU officially is staying with the MWC now.

San Diego State returns to Mountain West; Big East looks to future - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/jeremy-fowler/21563706/san-diego-state-returning-to-mountain-west-big-east-commish-looks-to-future)

Tulsa is apparently a target now for the Big East.

The Big East is progressively becoming the old CUSA

Funny how the tune is changing as they move closer to the conference meeting.

Big 12 commissioner: League could be 'proactive' in expansion - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/dennis-dodd/21564054/big-12-commissioner-league-could-be-proactive-in-expansion)

Big 12 willing to be proactive in expansion now. I have a feeling they are going to go after some core ACC teams finally.

FSU seems like it would be a fun annual or semi-annual game, Clemson seems a little more meh.

I know it really does not matter but I would like the Big XII to actually have the number of teams in the name or change the name.

Big 12, ACC, and PAC 12 are looking at an alliance it appears. I think this is just a last ditch effort before the Big 12 pulls the trigger and raids the ACC.

Report: Big 12 looking to partner up with ACC, two other leagues - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/eye-on-college-football/21614091/report-big-12-looking-to-partner-up-with-acc-two-other-leagues)

Expansion is on the agenda for the Big 12...

Expansion one of several items on Big 12 agenda - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/jeremy-fowler/21621203/expansion-one-of-several-items-on-big-12-agenda)

Seems the first step is an alliance with the ACC for scheduling and programming rights. However you have to wonder if the Big 12 isn't positioning itself to just raid FSU and Clemson away if they can't come to terms.

More details came out of the Big 12 directors meeting.

Big 12 considers what Big Ten, SEC might do next in expansion - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/jeremy-fowler/21621664/big-12-considers-what-big-ten-sec-might-do-next-in-expansion)

Possible Big 10 targets: Virginia, UNC, Pitts, GA Tech, or Duke.

Possible SEC targets: UVA, VTech, UNC, Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest.

Big 12 Targets: Florida State, Clemson, and Louisville.

Sooners and Florida State would be a great rivarly that I would be looking forward to but Clemson and Louisville, not too much