Peterson: We have three clear fan faves to enter the Big 12

Welcome to the Big 12, BYU.

You too, Cincinnati and Houston.

When I asked readers which teams commissioner Bob Bowlsby should recommend for expansion, that trio finished so far in front of the other seven (unofficial) candidates that it wasn’t even close.

Of the 21,800 votes received by 10 a.m. Monday, 21.1 percent favored BYU, 19.9 percent were in Cincinnati’s corner and Houston wasn’t too far back at 16.3 ...

Memphis’ 9.6 percent was a very distant fourth.

It’s a football blowout, a basketball slam dunk.

Make way for the Cougars, Bearcats and, ahem, Cougars.

It wasn’t a scientific vote. Bowlsby is too busy to even read this. Some of you probably voted multiple times. There was somewhat of an organized effort among some voters to stuff the box for Geno and UConn.

But that’s all right. This was a fun exercise to see what everyone's thinking about something very real, and something that probably will be finalized before this football season concludes.

Readers responded with passion. They were opinionated.

Everyone has a plan, a thought and a slam dunk way to make this conference even better.

**

“Why would the non-Texas schools vote to add another Longhorn Lapdog? You know Hoston (CQ) would be another member of the Texas voting bloc, doing whatever UT and Texas politicians tell them to do. And it is just as easy to travel to Orlando, Florida (#1 vacation destination of North America) as it is to travel to anywhere in Texas.”

This person must be a Central Florida fan — a school that received just 4.1 percent of the vote — but the responder brings up an interesting topic.

Don’t get hung up on mileage. As someone so kindly pointed out to me Monday morning, it’s 1,495 miles between the ACC’s Boston College and Miami, 1,530 miles between Pac-12 schools Washington and Arizona State, 1,464 miles separate the Big 12’s Texas Tech and West Virginia, and 1,202 miles between the Big Ten’s Nebraska and Maryland.

People are quick to criticize the Big 12 for distance gaps, but it’s just as prevalent among the other Power conferences.

And, just so you know, it’s 1,929 miles from BYU to Bob Huggins’ home in West Virginia. That’s a trip covered in no time at all in this age of chartered jets that major teams use for traveling to games.

**

“BYU and TCU already have a 'rivalry' from their MWC days. Also, Cincinnati and WVU are foes from their days in the Big East.”

We love rivalry games. Cy vs. Hawk is Sept. 10 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, you know. TCU leads its series against BYU, by the way, 6-5, but do you really want to call West Virginia 12, Cincinnati 3 a "rivalry"?

**

“East CAROLINA! First or second in Average Attendance outside Power 5, and would be in the middle of the pack of the existing Power 5. Brings North Carolina TV sets, and the ninth-most populated state. School of 30,000.”

An under-the-radar suggestion. Someone’s thinking outside the box. I love it.

**

“I really don't want another Texas school, but I don't want BYU either. I'm sure all of those schools will build their programs up if they knew they were in the Big12, just like the amazing transformation from nobody to whatever they are now, Baylor. Side note: I really do miss Colorado, Missouri and Nebraska ...”

Side note: I sometimes miss the Big Eight, too.

**

“BYU should be the first choice. The second depends on whether finding a 'partner' for WVU is a priority. If it is, then Cincinnati makes the grade. If not, then Houston has a shot. Personally, I'd add BYU in football-only for the 2017 season, and then add BYU (all sports) and Cincinnati for the 2018 season. If the Big 12 decides that 14 teams make the most sense, then Colorado State and Houston. Travel shouldn't even be considered a real issue. Planes have been around for over 100 years.”

Adding BYU, remember, means no Sunday games, which wouldn't be all bad. Maybe early starting times on Saturdays, too. You know my motto: The earlier a start time, the better.

**

“I think there is this weird stigma that a school that doesn't include a "state" in its name is somewhat a lesser school. I think this is (false). The B12 should have taken Louisville over WV. The only reason they didn't is because Louisville is a "city" school. Take the best schools for the conference. To (heck) with its name.”

Well “state”-ed.

**

“No more Texas Schools!!”

Ouch.

Cyclones columnist Randy Peterson has been reporting on ISU during the past five decades. Follow @RandyPete.

You cast 21,500 votes for who should join the Big 12

Here’s how the results turned out:

BYU 21.07 percent

Cincinnati 19.89

Houston 16.33

Memphis 9.62

Colorado State 8.88

Connecticut 8.25

Boise State 6.77

Central Florida 4.13

Tulane 2.90

South Florida 2.16