Random thoughts.
First, Kansas to the Big Ten is whacko. The football program is in disarray after hiring Les Miles. Football attendance in 2019 was 26,650 or 53% of capacity vs. KSU 51,828 or 54% of capacity. The basketball program is under investigation by the NCAA. The football program is in disarray; the weakest in the Big 12 for years.
Second, Iowa State was involved in 4 of the top 8 highest rated TV games from the Big 12 in 2020. Bringing Kansas into the Big Ten may bring in more TV sets, but those TV sets will not be turned on.
Oklahoma vs. Texas: 4.81 millionOklahoma vs. Oklahoma State: 4.10 millionTexas vs Oklahoma State: 4.04 millionOklahoma vs Iowa State: 3.71 millionTexas vs Iowa State: 3.57 millionBig 12 Championship Game (Oklahoma vs. Iowa State): 2.99 millionIowa State vs Oklahoma State: 2.81 millionTexas vs Texas Tech: 2.72 millionIowa State is a better catch than Kansas. The Big Ten might benefit from poaching teams, but probably would not benefit by much.
Third, Barry Alvarez taught and coached high school football at Mason City, Iowa before becoming an assistant coach at the University of Iowa. He has an understanding of of Iowa, and its affection for football.
Fourth, Barry Alvarez was an assistant coach at Notre Dame. I doubt he would have influence on Big Ten expansion with Notre Dame, but hope springs eternal Gene Smith was a ND football player.
Fifth, I am fine with the 4-team playoff. It has been apparent the past few years there usually is a drop-off after the top 3 teams. We can constitute 4-teams for the playoff and it seems very accurate. The 12-team playoff idea with 6-conference champions, and 6-at large entries gives license to Notre Dame to remain independent, and to Oklahoma and Texas to try their hand in the SEC.
Sixth, the Big XII could reconstitute by adding 4-schools if the remaining schools do not turn tail and run. There are huge universities looking for a new conference home:
- Houston (enrollment 46,000); Avg. attendance 2019: 32,733, 82% capacity
- Cincinnati (enrollment 46,000); Avg. attendance 2019: 31,695, 79% capacity
- BYU (enrollment 34,000); Avg. attendance 2019: 56,597, 89% capacity
- ?
If the Big 12 is trying to bring in viewership the Big 12 needs schools with a loyal following, and large enrollment. BYU fills both these criteria best. That said, I don't think the Big 12 could afford to lose Okie St., Kansas, or Iowa State, and reconstitute. WVU would be a big loss, too, but they are outside the rest of the Big 12 market unless Cincy were added.
Mega conferences are too big for their own good, unless regional rivalries are preserved.