The courtship of the Big 12 conference
The Big 12’s expansion game has become a silly rendition of the Bachelor.
No not the one that is my 84-year-old mom’s favorite show, where some young lady dates a flock of young bucks who profess the charade of love over a two-week span and promise forever commitment.
No , not that one. This Bachelor show is the Big 12 conference being courted by 17 (yes, you have that number right) universities who want to fill one of the expansion slots (how many? two or four?) the conference has floated as a consideration necessary to maintain its existence in this competitive and complicated big time college football landscape.
This is ridiculous, yes. Of course it is. There aren’t probably more than two schools out of that group — which ranges from Arkansas State (Lord save us) to BYU (Lord prefers) and a lot of anemic mid-major programs — that have any business being in a Power 5 conference, which at last look included the Big 12 (thanks to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas).
But, if we have to expand the league then here goes. My two cents on who to let in:
Soonerguys Big 12 pre-season rankings
10. Kansas (Last year: 0-12, 0-9, no bowl game)
When you start at the bottom the only way to go is up. Slight improvement under new Coach David Beaty, but the Jayhawks will be pressed to win two games this season.
9. Iowa State (Last year: 3-9, 2-7, no bowl game)
The Cyclones are lacking on defense. They have an underrated QB in Joel Lanning and some good skilled position players. They may win four games this year; but, they get Oklahoma at home on a Thursday night in November.
8. West Virginia (Last year: 8-5, 4-5, beat Arizona State in Cactus Bowl)
This will be Dana Holgersen’s last year at WVU. The Mountaineers will score behind a good offensive line; but, inexperience at linebacker and secondary will hurt them.
7. Kansas State (Last year: 6-7, 3-6, lost to Arkansas in Liberty Bowl)
We don’t bet against a Bill Snyder team. Never. This year they have QB Jesse Ertz returning after missing last year. Good talent on defense. Lacking some in team speed. Should win six games this year.