So what are UC's options?
ACC - if reports are true that UCONN is trying to go with Pitt and Syracuse then that leaves one spot. Does UC try to shoehorn their way in? Would the ACC want UC over Rutgers? From an on field/court standpoint UC is head and shoulders above Rutgers but Rutgers has the New York City market (I debate that a little bit but...).
SEC - they could stay at 12 but I have a feeling they would want to move to 16. So, where does UC fit? Honestly, not high on the list but maybe high enough. If Texas Tech instead goes to the Pac 12 with Oklahoma, Texas, and Oklahoma State, does the SEC go after Baylor? Something tells me no. TCU? Not sure they want to go that route either. So what next? Miami and Florida State are logical but I think Florida will put up a stink about any Florida teams. So let's rule them out along with South Florida, for now. Who next? Virginia Tech makes sense but do they want to leave the all new ACC? Clemson makes sense but they face the same question. If they don't leave, that leaves the SEC looking for 4 more schools still. Missouri is a possibility. Memphis is a possibility. Louisville is a possibility. UC is a possibility. WVU is a possibility. I think those are your most likely candidates. WVU
is a shoe in IMO. Missouri is too. I don't think Tennessee wants Memphis and I don't think UK wants Louisville. I think Tennessee wins and UK loses and UL would be in. That leaves one spot. UC is in a
good position because they are the only option in Ohio, which is a great football recruiting area. UC is a top 25 basketball program and would help bolster the SEC in basketball. Cincinnati is a larger media market than any other reasonable option which is good for TV contracts. Is it a slam dunk? No. It is reasonable though.
Big Ten - the Big Ten may be forced to look at UC as an option. This is OSU's worst nightmare and they will do their best to keep UC out. The Big Ten is not happy with all of OSU's issues lately and could stick it to the Buckeyes. UC does not bring a new market to the table which is the big downside for UC. Other schools they might consider are Missouri, Kansas, WVU, Kansas State, Iowa State, Rutgers, Louisville.
Something Brand New - The only other realistic option is UC joining up with the remaining 4 Big East schools plus the remaining 6 Big 12 schools plus TCU plus Memphis to get to 12. They could try to poach Boise State and Central Florida to get to 14. Not very likely IMO but still a possibility.
