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Big 12 Expansion: 5 teams that need to be added

By John Buhler

Oct 8, 2016; East Hartford, CT, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Eric Wilson (23) reacts after an interference call as they take on the Connecticut Huskies in the second half at Rentschler Field. UConn defeated the Bearcats 20-9. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; East Hartford, CT, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Eric Wilson (23) reacts after an interference call as they take on the Connecticut Huskies in the second half at Rentschler Field. UConn defeated the Bearcats 20-9. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 14, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill (7) scrambles out of the pocket against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill (7) scrambles out of the pocket against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

3. BYU Cougars

Of any team up for getting a potential Big 12 bid, the BYU Cougars have the football program that is historically significant. In all honesty, isn’t BYU at top-25 program all-time if you really think about it? They’ve had a Heisman winner in Ty Detmer and a National Championship in 1984.

Like rival Utah has with Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, the Cougars have a great home field advantage at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. With a Big 12 backing, BYU can become a legitimate contender in the conference almost immediately.

Not only does BYU have the gridiron success historically, but adding the Cougars would give the Big 12 the coveted Salt Lake City media market. The Pac-12 wisely added Utah in 2012 to increase its reach in the Power 5.

Bringing in both Colorado State and BYU make sense geographically for the Big 12 as well as from a media market standpoint. The only thing that is holding BYU back is its LDS backing. BYU refuses to play games on Sunday. Totally understandable.

It would be a terrific move for the Big 12 to be progressive and make BYU the Power 5 team it deserves to be. Adding BYU also would give the Power 5 conference a huge boost from members of the LDS community from all over the country, much like what Notre Dame gets from the Catholic Church.

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