Finally, someone in the Big 12 did the math and realized the conference had only 10 teams, no natural championship game and no network.
Apparently, when made aware the league has been short two teams since 2012, the Big 12 presidents told Commissioner Bob Bowlsby he needed to find two more brothers.
All kidding aside, as the smallest of the Power Five conferences, the Big 12 likely was to become a big target for raiding.
If the SEC could have rounded out its league to a sweet 16 by adding Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, it would have. No, that's not a perfect pair to draw to, but most likely the SEC couldn't get one without the other. Both have television sets not only within their natural borders but also in northern Texas, southern Kansas and southwestern Missouri.
The Big 12 honchos knew that, and so finally they are ready to expand, set divisions, get a true championship game and entertain offers of having its own network, provided they can get Texas to dismount its high horse and play nice. The Longhorns have their own network, a money losing venture by ESPN.
It was revealed that several schools have been trying to get the Big 12's attention for several months -- all behind the scenes of course -- and Bowlsby said Houston, Memphis, Central Florida, Connecticut and Cincinnati were not natural fits.
Hogwash.
If Houston and Memphis don't fit with their rapidly improving football programs, then no one does.
The Cougars should have been asked to play as soon as the Big 12 was reduced to 10 members.
Since Art Briles became the head coach of the Coogs in 2003, they have had just three losing seasons. They're 29-11 the past three seasons. They beat Florida State in the Peach Bowl last season to finish 13-1.
Memphis, which like Houston plays in the American Athletic Conference, is 19-7 the past two seasons. The Tigers beat Ole Miss last season, 37-24, and it was the Rebels who handed eventual national champion Alabama its only loss.
As for basketball, Houston is coached by Kelvin Sampson -- who had success at Oklahoma -- and Memphis recently hired Tubby Smith, who led Kentucky to a national championship.
Others, such as Cincinnati, may offer more TV sets, but the bottom line is it is time for the Big 12 to be the Big 12 again.
Radio row during SEC media days is a sight to behold as talk shows come from all over the country and line the halls of the walkway that connects the Hyatt to the Galleria.
This year, most of the tables were adorned with a small helmet of the school they cover. The helmet was suspended and turned slowly, and it also had a light on it.
They would make a great gift and can be found at hoverhelmet.com.
Medals4Mettle is a nonprofit group that provides medals for children and adults who are fighting illnesses but compete in games.
The group is at Camp Aldersgate this week to present medals to youngsters who distinguish themselves during Kota Camp, run by volunteers from the Little Rock Junior League.
The presentations are incredibly touching and appreciated.
The annual Pigskin Preview presented by 103.7 the Buzz will be Aug. 18 at the Governor's Mansion. The Arkansas Razorback football announcing team of Keith Jackson and Chuck Barrett will attend along with numerous others, including former Razorbacks Clint Stoerner, D.J. Williams and David Bazzel.
Tickets are $35 and going fast. For more information, go to 1037thebuzz.com.
All proceeds from this event will go to Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids.
Sports on 07/21/2016