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If he ever loses his gig with the Oklahoman newspaper, Berry Tramel can always run for the mayor of Provo.

Or Boise.

The highly respected sports columnist in the heart of the Big 12 footprint wrote Friday that the conference should look West if it decides to expand — which he advocated.

Tramel says the Big 12 should add BYU and Boise State.

Obviously, there's nothing new to report on the expansion front — Tramel directly points that out — but it never hurts to speculate a bit.

Currently, only one Big 12 president — Oklahoma's David L. Boren — has stressed the importance of taking the Big 12 from 10 to 12 schools.

In making a case for BYU, Tramel notes: "BYU is a no-brainer. I think we all can agree on that."

So what about adding BYU and Boise State for football only?

Tramel didn't address that in his original column, but blogged about it later Friday, saying it just wouldn't work and would brand the conference as "mickey mouse."

Writes Tramel: "The Big 12 does not need to stop the bleeding. The Big 12 needs a cure. I believe BYU and Boise State could be that cure. But only as full-fledged members."