Here’s what they’re saying about Iowa State this time around:
Starting with the Cedar Rapids Gazette’s Mike Hlas, who lays it out in no uncertain terms (read the whole thing):
If the first of the inevitable four superconferences should involve the breakup of the Big 12, Iowa State is in severe trouble. … [If] there’s no Big 12 next year and the Big East maybe just scoops up Kansas for even more basketball prestige? Then Iowa State is left scrounging for membership in a league such as the Mountain West or Conference USA.
The Oklahoman, on the position of T. Boone Pickens Oklahoma State:
For OSU, the Pickens-made-possible ascension in football puts the Cowboys on the radar in terms of appeal and relevance — a status that didn’t exist even five years ago, before the Stillwater version of the Pickens Plan was complete.
Ten years ago, before Pickens penned his first big check to OSU athletics, the Cowboys weren’t much more thought of than Iowa State.
All that has changed.
SMU, Houston and TCU are the three schools that ought to be invited, but Texas fears all three. All have rebuilt their programs, and all three would cut into Texas’ recruiting. The Big 12 is a Texas production, and with schools like Baylor and Iowa State desperate for the affiliation, the conference will live a bit longer even in a diminished state.
Why Notre Dame wouldn’t fit in the Big 12: “Hard to see the Fighting Irish making that road trip to Ames.”
(And why SMU wouldn’t fit: “They’re SMU.”)
Blogger at the Kansas City Star:
At this point, nobody can foresee how it will play out. One would presume Texas, Oklahoma and OSU would remain together in some form or fashion. And, certainly KU and KSU would be happy to feast on the crumbs that fall from their table. So would Iowa State, but the more strung out the conference gets, the better the odds the Cyclones are going to end up elsewhere devoid of any other B12 schools. Can the Missouri Valley be far away?
The Missouri Valley. UNI’s conference. About 13,000 people a game. Now that is a vote of no confidence.