Let's recap:

1 - Big12 hires a consulting group to run a bunch of numbers on the benefits of expansion and which teams could bring the biggest bang for it's buck.

2 - They go back and forth for weeks as to whether expansion is necessary.

3 - UT comes out three days ago with a strong statement saying "We are not expanding - no need, we are strong." They want everyone to know (or be thinking) before the discussions begin that they are the "top dog".

4 - B12 officials meet for three days and then announce on Friday that they will hold a conference championship game AND that expanding could increase revenue for the conference members up to $1 BILLION!!! Quote: "Big12 will be paying the highest amount of $$$$ to it's conference members IF THEY EXPAND - The Big12 is alive and well..."

5 - Big 12 school officials are NOW going home to look over the expansion team data and determine which universities make the most sense to invite for their expansion.

Here is the item many are not considering. Perhaps these strategic tactics are a set up in order for the B12 to now spend the next 1-2 months talking to other P5 schools and say - "We are still one of the strongest conferences among all NCAA P5 conferences and we now have $1 BILLION at our finger tips. Come join us. We have the BIG money and the stability".

They now MAY THINK that the big money is so persuasive that they might be able to convince a Nebraska to return or a Florida State to jump over from the ACC. The Big12 already knows they have 5-6 non-P5 universities crawling all over themselves to get into their conference. No need to hurry with them. They may truly think they have the ammunition and the $$goods to convince bigger fish to join them.

I'm NOT saying they will be successful, but they may be thinking that their "big money" announcement can be a very persuasive tool. The past 10-15 days have shown all of us that the Big12 officials think way too highly of themselves and look absolutely stupid at times. But Friday's "tactics" may have bigger intentions then many might be thinking. They need several days and weeks to put out feelers for any big money takers who are current P5 schools. The three days of meetings were not enough time for "back room discussions and under the table negotiations" to happen - especially with so many eyes looking for any signs of expansion. Now these "secret feeler contacts" can happen with any school and very few will have a clue.

The decisions and announcements seem very calculated and they are very likely going to go beyond the obvious 5-6 non-P5 schools in their exploration for additional members.

I'll say it again - I don't think the Big 12 will be successful swaying another P5 team away to join them, even with them flashing their big money. But I do think their strategic tactics this week are calculated attempts to do so.

My guess is they end up with these two additions:
Cincy
BYU
(But it wouldn't surprise me for us to get screwed AGAIN and then they select UH or UCONN as their #2).

If they go with four for expansion, I think they select the following:
BYU
CSU (maybe UCONN - but only because of BB)
Cincy
UH