The University of Cincinnati has officially submitted an application to join the Big 12, according to university sources. It’s the first word from officials within the university, acknowledging national media reports that Cincinnati will join the Power Five football conference.Some sort of press briefing on the matter is expected later this week, those sources say.There has been buzz about the conference’s expansion plans following the sudden departures of Texas and Oklahoma, who have accepted invitations to join the SEC. Numerous media reports claim the Big 12 is prepared to invite four schools to join its ranks as early as this week — including BYU, UCF, Houston and Cincinnati.But University of Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell said earlier this week he is not involved in the decision making, and — if it’s true — said the university has kept it under wraps. “I don’t think we can get too tied up in it as a team,” Fickell said. “As a program – as far as recruiting and things like that – any buzz, we’re going to continue to use. We know darn well we’re a top 10 team right now. But in order to be that top 10 program, there’s going to have to be a lot of growth for us as a team, for us as a program, for us as an athletic department.”Should invites be awarded, the four teams could join ahead of the scheduled departures of Oklahoma and Texas in 2025. The American Athletic Conference would require each team to provide a 27-month notice to their departure, and pay an exit fee.In the latest AP Top 25 poll released Tuesday, Cincinnati ranks No. 7 — up one spot from last week. The Cincinnati Bearcats hosts Murray State at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
CINCINNATI —
The University of Cincinnati has officially submitted an application to join the Big 12, according to university sources.
It’s the first word from officials within the university, acknowledging national media reports that Cincinnati will join the Power Five football conference.
Some sort of press briefing on the matter is expected later this week, those sources say.
There has been buzz about the conference’s expansion plans following the sudden departures of Texas and Oklahoma, who have accepted invitations to join the SEC. Numerous media reports claim the Big 12 is prepared to invite four schools to join its ranks as early as this week — including BYU, UCF, Houston and Cincinnati.
But University of Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell said earlier this week he is not involved in the decision making, and — if it’s true — said the university has kept it under wraps.
“I don’t think we can get too tied up in it as a team,” Fickell said. “As a program – as far as recruiting and things like that – any buzz, we’re going to continue to use. We know darn well we’re a top 10 team right now. But in order to be that top 10 program, there’s going to have to be a lot of growth for us as a team, for us as a program, for us as an athletic department.”
Should invites be awarded, the four teams could join ahead of the scheduled departures of Oklahoma and Texas in 2025. The American Athletic Conference would require each team to provide a 27-month notice to their departure, and pay an exit fee.
In the latest AP Top 25 poll released Tuesday, Cincinnati ranks No. 7 — up one spot from last week. The Cincinnati Bearcats hosts Murray State at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
