Potential New Conferences for Remaining Big 12 Teams

With Texas and Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 for the SEC, the other teams have some decision-making to do. Will they stay together and add teams to the Big 12 or will they join other conferences. It appears most have already started picking up the phone in efforts to join other conferences. Here are potential new conferences for remaining Big 12 teams.

Baylor Bears

Baylor just won the 2021 NCAA Tournament, but now finds their program looking for answers. Their football team has also had some really good seasons over the last several years. The private, Baptist university has some success, but who might want them in their conference?

The central Texas school will likely make a move to try and join the Pac-12, but space could be limited if the conference doesn’t want to go beyond 14 teams. If they decide to go to 16 teams, they may end up one short and have to find one team (outside of the Big 12) to join the conference.

Conference Prediction: Pac-12

Iowa State Cyclones

Matt Campbell (photo via desmoinesregister.com)

Iowa State has had success on both the football field and the basketball court. Last season, they played in the Big 12 Championship Game and their head coach, Matt Campbell, has them as a team to beat in 2021. They have made seven NCAA Tournaments in basketball since 2012. Surely, they have some value to the bigger conferences.

It is rumored that Iowa State has already reached out to the Big Ten in an attempt to join. The move would make sense, as they could maintain their rivalry with Iowa. In past expansions, the Big Ten has added some teams that haven’t added much to the conference on the football field. Iowa State currently has a team that could be competitive in the conference. If that will last is questionable.

Conference Prediction: Big Ten

Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas doesn’t have much of a football program recently, although they did win the 2008 Orange Bowl. Their value lies in the basketball program, as it always had. They are one of the most storied programs in history and dominated the Big 12 for a long time. The Jayhawks would immediately upgrade a new conference’s basketball prestige.

It is being reported that the Jayhawks have also reached out to the Big Ten. The Big Ten may be weary of adding another school with a football program that may not be able to compete, but their basketball program would be among the conference’s best. The school is also close enough to Iowa State (and Iowa) to join together.

Conference Prediction: Big Ten

Kansas State Wildcats

Kansas State doesn’t have a long history of football achievement, but they have made nine bowl games since 2010. The school has made eight NCAA Tournaments since 2010, which includes two Elite Eight appearances. While they may not have the most history, they will be in the running to join another major conference.

With their in-state partner Kansas looking to join the Big Ten, Kansas State will have to look elsewhere. The Pac-12 would be their best hope, as the conference could look to expand to 16 teams, just like the SEC. The Wildcats would have to travel a decent amount, but they may not have much of a choice with the new conference realignment.

Conference Prediction: Pac-12

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oklahoma State is one of the better programs left in both football and basketball. Mike Gundy has built up a nice football team, which has made a bowl game in every year since 2006. This is highlighted by the six double-digit win seasons from 2010-2017. The basketball team has made 12 tournaments since 2000 and just signed the best recruit in the country, Cade Cunningham, last season.

While there are rumors surfacing that the SEC wants to go to a 20-team mega-conference, that remains to be seen. The Cowboys would likely push to get into the SEC with Oklahoma and Texas. If that doesn’t happen, the Cowboys may have their pick between Pac-12 and the ACC. The ACC would give them more national exposure, so that looks like it would be the choice if it comes down to it.

Conference Prediction: ACC

TCU Horned Frogs

TCU is one of the newer members in the Big 12, but they have held their own on the football field. Since joining the conference in 2012, they have only had two losing seasons. They also have three double-digit win seasons in that span. The Basketball program doesn’t have much history, but Jaimie Dixon has improved things.

The Horned Frogs were late to join a conference from the Mountain West, which may limit their options now. They too will likely push to be a part of a mega conference, or the fallout of one of the other conferences, but may have to play in the Pac-12, who has ample room if they increase their teams to 16.

Conference Prediction: Pac-12

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech has had some rough seasons since firing Mike Leach and have had seven losing seasons in the last 10 played. The basketball program has had some recent success, but that was during Chris Beard’s tenure, who is now ironically coaching Texas.

While Texas Tech has had some rough football seasons and lost their basketball coach, they still have a big enough brand to join a bigger conference. That conference will likely be the Pac-12, who could add a few Texas teams together to make things easier.

Conference Prediction: Pac-12

West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia is another one of the recent additions to the Big 12 after coming from the Big East in 2012. They have had just two losing seasons in that span. Their basketball program has been very competitive in the Big 12, as they have made five NCAA Tournaments since 2015. They have three Sweet Sixteen appearances in that span.

It was weird for West Virginia to join the Big 12 from the beginning with their location. They may want to go to a conference that hosts some of their old rivalries, but also would give them a lot of teams close by to travel to. The ACC seems like the natural conference for West Virginia to join.

Conference Prediction: ACC

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