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Rumblings that the Big 12 is trying to expand from 10 teams have reemerged with BYU mentioned as a potential addition. The Cougars are often mentioned among a field of Cincinnati, UConn, Memphis, Houston, Central Florida, South Florida and even Boise State as candidates to bring the league's schools up to 12. Here's what national outlets are saying about BYU's candidacy:

CBS Sports ranks BYU as the fourth best option to join the league

Columnist Dennis Dodd ranked the Cougars behind Cincinnati, Central Florida and Houston as viable candidates in a recent article. Dodd says the Cougars are "absolutely the best football option," but that BYU would be hamstrung by its private religious standing. "The answer will be no on BYU," Dodd writes.

Fox Sports says BYU is "likely" to be added if expansion happens, but argues Big-12 expansion is "dumb"

Fox Sports' Clay Travis says BYU and Cincinnati would be the likely duo to join the league, but argues it "makes no logical sense." He says "Cincinnati and BYU make the Big 12 worse in football and basketball" and that "BYU and Cincinnati don't add anything to the conference but complexity."

ESPN on BYU's case and a roundtable on which teams make the most sense to add to the Big 12

ESPN presented BYU's case built on the school's football tradition and worldwide fanbase, but said the travel logistics of adding the Cougars would create issues. A roundtable from ESPN's Jake Trotter, Max Olson and Brandon Chatmon were all tepid on or outright opposed to expansion, but Chatmon ranks BYU and Cincinnati as the "no-brainer" additions. "BYU would be a solid addition thanks to its national appeal in comparison to the other candidates," Chatmon writes.

The Oklahoman considers Memphis' case compared with BYU's

Oklahoman columnist Berry Tramel writes that Memphis "would be much better off keeping quiet about BYU and hoping the Big 12 loses its mind and forgets BYU is available." He calls the idea "laughable that any self-respecting football conference would consider Memphis over BYU."

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