The Big 12 expansion continues to gain steady support from Houston, but speculations claim that it still needs to convince the other six schools outside Texas to agree in order for the expansion plan to push through.
In an interview with Ames Tribune, Iowa State President Steven Leath stated that the university could possibly consider the expansion if asked. "They certainly have a lot of factors we are interested in," Leath said Friday. "I feel a lot of the (Big 12) presidents feel the league is Texas-heavy already, which helps with the Texas schools, but it's a little problematic for the rest of us to go from the very northern part of the league like us to the very southern part of the league."
Leath noted that the location of the universities that will be targeted for invites to join the collegiate athletic conference will be a big factor to consider. "If you put two or four different schools that are wildly different geographically and it's very difficult on our student-athletes and specifically raises the cost."
But while Leath's statements did not reveal the intentions of Iowa State to be considered for the Big 12, BYU had formally announced that they are interested to join the conference. They also revealed that they are willing to discuss a football-only option to join the league. "We're obviously open to listening to what they want to do, Cougars athletic director Tom Holmoe told ESPN.com. We're going to go through this process with an open mind to listen to what they have to say."
This means that the university and the conference must work out a deal that will stipulate a no-game rule on Sundays because of BYU's connection with the Mormon church.
Aside from BYU, other universities which can be considered as candidates for expansion include Cincinnati, UConn, Houston, South Florida, Central Florida, Memphis, and Boise State.
