I don't think they are saying its for sure but keep in mind Jamie Pollard in an interview right after expansion was announced or before it was announced and everyone knew it was coming said somebody in the room was giving Pete Thamel info because he was dead on about facts.
One thing Thamel said was the league would eventually go to 14, very possible even 16. He also said playing in different time windows and weeknights was important. Like it or not BSU fits that and has done well ratings wise considering their league. I'm sure the B12 won't do it just to add teams but they will have a good idea there is a value to the networks, and at reasonable ratings for those time frames.
The other reason the league might look at it is if they get a scheduling agreement with either the alliance or the SEC those leagues will have 14 or 16, except for the PAC12 at 12. Also it wouldn't surprise me if this year after the for lack of better terms constitutional meeting among schools if we get close to 80ish schools breaking away. If that happens we might see a combining of the P5 into P4 or maybe a 6th league survives combined schools of AAC/MWC where they make quite a bit less than PAC/ACC/B12 but more than they do now. There is also a lot of talk of some schools being concerned of players being considered employees and some existing P5 schools dropping down more to a amatuer/Ivy league model. There could be a lot of changes the next couple years.
Classifying college athletes as employees, NLRB memo sets stage for further NCAA destabilization
The NCAA's power continues to diminish as athletes earn more rights and opportunities
Assuming the P5 stays as is and no P5 teams swith leagues:
Memphis & BSU at 13 & 14 make sense.
USF as 15 or 16 makes sense. SMU surprises me quite a bit. I sure hope a SMU addition is not to replace a Texas team or two to the PAC, the B12 needs to own Texas. But SMU does have a wealthy fan base which is good for advertising revenue if they are #16. I hope some of the Texas teams can start a little later even in CST if the league needs that to get paid, that also makes sense in Sept and even early Oct. while temperatures can be unbearable. Thamel had said don't sleep on San Diego St. which could have been a decent #16 but the 365 guys have said the PAC & B12 might have a handshake agreement to stay away from each other and maybe that includes in the PAC's backyard.
If USC/Or. and a few others don't like the new contract and are leaving then all bets are off.
