I just wanted to stop by and say good luck in the application process for Big12 membership! Having been in multiple conferences which have included many of the leading candidates, Frog fans know a lot about the prospective schools. And it seems clear, for a wide variety of reasons that BYU is the top candidate (great friendly fanbase, travel destination, historical success, dedicated media that treats you like a pro team, facilities, academic strength, private religiously-affiliated, attendance, great nearby skiing etc...), so I hope you make the cut. I think BYU would strengthen the Big12 and help stabilize it for a longer term. You already have a good rivalry with TCU - you've played us in football more than any other Big12 school and we had some really exciting games in the MWC - I bet some of you still think that we didn't beat you 51-50 in 2005:-). With Utah, BYU and Boise, we were close to making the MWC into a P5 conference, but unfortunately, that never happened. Now, it's possible that the former Big 3 will make it on their own.

Big12 membership isn't utopia, but you will get more money for facilities, coaches salaries, athlete stipends, recruiting budgets and you'll get a LOT more and better national media coverage, including routine games on ABC and Fox, in addition to the ESPN platforms. Fans won't see any of the money, but you will see improvements in a lot of areas, and this will benefit your recruiting and coaching retention. Most importantly, you will be validated nationally in a way that nonP5 schools just don't get. And you'll get better and more stable schedules, with top teams coming to Provo regularly (and in October and November).

I think the Big12 should add 4 teams, and if that happens, I think you're in for sure. If it's only 2 teams, it's still likely, but more iffy. As I think you've guessed, you need to suck up to UT and OU - TCU is now a full member but we really aren't all that important in this process despite our relative success in the last two years. I'm really looking forward to renewing the BYU-TCU rivalry - best of luck!