If the Big 12 is ever going to expand back to 12 teams, they league needs the Texas Longhorns to be Texas again and start winning big on a consistent level.

The Big 12 is in an interesting position; expand or crumble. Ideally, the Big 12 should have no problems expanding. One would assume the Big 12 could have 12 teams and become a formidable conference rivaling the SEC and the Pac-12, but one of the major issues with the conference is the success of the Texas Longhorns.

Texas has always been a successful program and is one of the most profitable programs in all of college athletics. Further, the Oklahoma-Texas rivalry is one of the best in all of college football and the fuel needed to lift the league. Lately, however, Texas has been very unspectacular, finishing with a 6-7 record last season including a 31-7 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks in the AdvoCare Texas Bowl.

The second season for Charlie Strong at Texas should see an improved product and all eyes should be on the Longhorns. Texas is a popular team with fans all over the southwest and a $300 million dollar TV deal with ESPN. However, without a winning record the Big 12 can’t capitalize on luring new teams. Oklahoma and Texas have pretty much dominated the Big 12. Now, Oklahoma State, TCU, Kansas State, and Baylor are in control of the conference.

The only bad part about this is that these aren’t big name schools. Oklahoma and Texas have the history. Head coach Charlie Strong has a tough task ahead of him if he is to bring Texas back into the Big 12 limelight.

Adding schools like West Virginia doesn’t add a cache like the Big Ten had when they plucked Nebraska from the Big 12 or the SEC adding Texas A&M. If the conference ever expands and develop a stronger brand, they need bigger schools to come into the fray but before that can happen, they need Texas to be Texas again.

Once Texas becomes a consistent winner again, you’ll have the Red River Rivalry back on the national stage with playoff implications. A buzz for the Big 12 will be created and there will be ‘name brand’ programs selling the conference vs smaller brands like TCU and Baylor.

This is not a knock on the Horned Frogs or the Bears and their programs, but they aren’t the national powers like Texas. The Longhorns brand is one of the best in collegiate athletics but to lure bigger and better programs than the likes of Memphis, SMU or Houston, Texas has to be competing for Playoff berths, not trying to finish .500.