Although the Big 12 is losing its two marquee teams in Texas and Oklahoma, they are doing everything they can to preserve the conference.
In regards to a potential Big 12 expansion, the conference received great news on Wednesday. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the University of Cincinnati has officially applied to join the Big 12 conference.
The Bearcats’ application is expected to be accepted on Friday, but this is still early on in the process to leave the American Athletic Conference, which requires each team to provide a 27-month notice that they are departing. On top of that, Cincinnati would have to pay an exit fee.
Cincinnati has been one of the best Group of Five teams in the nation, and joining the Big 12 is a win-win scenario for both parties involved. The Bearcats are looking to become a national powerhouse, and joining a Power Five conference can help them get there. If the Bearcats can continue competing at this high of a level, they would stop getting snubbed from the College Football Playoff.
Adding Cincinnati not only gives the Big 12 the Ohio market, but it also opens up some doors recruiting wise for the remaining Big 12 teams.
This is significant news considering just a few weeks ago the Big 12 conference looked doomed. If they are able to add three more schools, which it has already been reported that they will pursue UCF, BYU, and Houston, then the Big 12 will continue to be a respectable conference.
Cincinnati is currently ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll, and are looking to be the first Group of Five team to make the College Football Playoff.