DALLAS -- Commissioner Bob Bowlsby says a majority of Big 12 presidents are comfortable with remaining a 10-team conference. Their student-athletes might not agree.
This week, as is our annual tradition, the Big 12 blog team polled more than 20 players who attended Big 12 media days. Their stance on expansion was nearly unanimous: 88 percent said they're in favor of expanding the league beyond 10 teams in the future.
Reaching a consensus on who needs to join the league, however, was as difficult for the players as it seems to be for their administrators. When players were asked to name at least one school they'd welcome to the Big 12, a total of 11 schools were mentioned and only four were suggested by more than one player: BYU, Houston and former members Texas A&M and Nebraska.
The players were asked several other questions about the Big 12, including who they consider the one true champion of the conference in 2014, who's the team to beat in 2015 and which players and coaches they respect most.
The results of the poll:
(Note: players were not allowed to answer with their own school or any teammate in any of the questions)
Should the Big 12 expand and add more schools?
Yes: 88 percent
No: 12 percent
Name at least one school you would add to the Big 12.
Texas A&M: 22 percent
BYU: 17 percent
Houston: 11 percent
Nebraska: 11 percent
Also receiving votes: Arkansas, Boise State, Missouri, Oregon, Texas State, UCF, USC
Who is the team to beat in the Big 12 this season?
TCU: 67 percent
Baylor: 20 percent
Kansas: 13 percent
Who was the one true champion of the Big 12 last season?
TCU: 62 percent
Baylor: 25 percent
“I don’t know”: 13 percent
Who is the best quarterback in the Big 12 other than Trevone Boykin?
“I don’t know”: 59 percent
Trevor Knight 29 percent
Also receiving votes: Baylor QB Seth Russell; Iowa State QB Sam B. Richardson
If you could draft an opposing Big 12 player and put him on your team, who would it be?
Karl Joseph 33 percent
Also receiving votes: Baylor DT Andrew Billings; Baylor WR KD Cannon; Baylor OT Spencer Drango; Baylor TE LaQuan McGowan; Baylor DE Shawn Oakman; Baylor QB Seth Russell; Oklahoma QB Trevor Knight; Oklahoma CB Zack Sanchez; Oklahoma LB Eric Striker; Oklahoma State DE Emmanuel Ogbah
Which opposing Big 12 coach do you respect the most?
Bill Snyder: 33 percent
Art Briles: 17 percent
Charlie Strong: 17 percent
Gary Patterson: 11 percent
Also receiving votes: Paul Rhoads, Dana Holgorsen, Bob Stoops, Kliff Kingsbury