As Big 12 ponders expansion, American on guard for losses

Because whatever happens, this is going to be a good, strong conference regardless.

The 10-team conference continues to ponder whether adding two more members, splitting into divisions and playing a football championship game will help the league increase both revenue and its chances to place a team in the College Football Playoff.

At the meetings in Phoenix, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said a research firm presented data to the conference that showed switching to a 12-team, two division format, with eight conference games and a title game, would give the league about a 4 percent better chance to put a team in the playoff.

Ultimately, the decision will be made at the presidential level of each school, with plenty of input from athletic directors and Bowlsby.

Cincinnati, Memphis, Houston, SMU, South Florida, Central Florida and Connecticut can all claim to bring either new TV markets or growing athletic programs — or both — to the Big 12.