Buck, can you expand on your thoughts in regard to expansion?
My thoughts re: expansion are that, despite calls (and hopes from some) that the issue is dead, Texas, which doesn't lead the pro expansion pack most definitely, has stated that the issue is not dead by any means. Important because other than OU they hold the biggest pull in the conference from a leadership perspective.
Despite cries from those on the outside and those with an agenda for the BIG 12 to collapse, the actual members of the BIG 12 aren't on board with collapsing the league or moving elsewhere for a variety of reasons and want to make their conference as strong as possible.
The BIG 12 must be working on ways to generate more revenue and also improve their on field situation in regards to recruiting and winning and making the playoff.
Expansion is the only thing that will address these needs. Some form of conference network is going to be a must -especially once the ACC has one in a couple of years. A network brings schools 24/7 exposure and recruits. You can't have a network without more inventory (whether streaming, on Hulu or Netflix, with a broadcast partner or whatever form it might take).
Making the playoff is a major priority and they've left their best opportunity on the table knowing that (at least) a 12 team conference is their best chance to actually make playoff games, not having a 10 team rematch.
There's too much revenue and too many schools that several states are supporting to sit back until the mid 20's to see who may stay or leave based on what other conferences or entities want to be. Don't think they'll do that.
There are things on the fringes that may affect in conference decisions. Such as schools in the PAC 12 very upset with the revenues distributed and PACnets. A push for those in the G5 to have their own playoff which some will not agree to. UConn investigating moving basketball and other sports into the BE (which they'ved denied again) if they can find a football home. New bowl contracts to be signed in 2019 (meaning revenue possibilities) as well as the AAC contract expiring in the 2018-2019 time frame. Also can't overlook poor overall recruiting and being left out of the playoff two of three years so far. The Big Ten schools are getting a major financial jump soon and others will be trying as best they can to keep pace with that.
Next years 10 team CCG outcome (as well as playoff berth or not) will play a major role in things coming down the pike for the conference most likely.