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It doesn’t look like it. If they didn’t get this invite this round, I don’t think they will.
A big Memphis booster told me they were disappointed with not getting a B12 invite. That was with a 4-team playoff. Now that there will be 12 teams in the playoff, he told me they are better off just staying in the AAC where they regularly finish in the top 4. So, it was being a middle team in the B12 vs a possible top team in the AAC. I think their long range feelings are that the AAC Champion will eventually get an auto bid. Until that happens, they think if they can win the AAC title, then they will likely get an at-large bid. So, with the 12 team playoffs, they feel staying put is better. They could be right. Hard to tell at the moment.
From a $ standpoint…what would’ve been Memphis’s annual take this yr in Big 12 compared to AAC? I’m too lazy today to look it up.
Getting to the playoff isn’t the admin’s number one concern. Money trumps over time.
Roughly $7M vs $27M. Memphis would take that money in a heartbeat if they got the chance. Regardless of playoff chances.
The booster said they would have gone to the B12......but it doesn't matter. They weren't offered. Now, who knows what the B12 will do in the coming years. They may add more teams later and Memphis could very well be on that list. Memphis is competitive in football with all of the teams in the 2024 B12. Their basketball is pretty much top 25 nationally every year. Baseball is their only drag. I think there is still a lot of conference reshuffling to happen in the near future.
Last year they were ranked No. 24 in final the AP. It was the only week they were ranked all season and it was the first time they finished ranked in the final poll since 2012-13.
Memphis brings nothing.
It sounds harsh, but that’s really what it comes down to. If Memphis couldn't make the cut when they added UCF, Cincy, Houston & BYU, they’re not even going to be considered when the next targets include Colorado, Arizona, Arizona St, Utah, and possibly UConn, Gonzaga and maybe even Oregon & Washington if the Big 10 continue to pass in them.
I would think KState is near the top in football now that they have Chris Klieman is at the helm. And their basketball ain't bad either. Baseball, not sure how they are doing, but going against OK, OKState, TCU, TTech, & Texas can't be easy.
