In 2016, the Big 12’s commissioner, presidents and ADs wasted many months meeting with consultants, meeting with prospective expansion candidates and meeting with each other, all to eventually decide to stand pat at 10 teams. It was a shortsighted decision then, and it sure looks like a missed opportunity now, given the fact that one of the applicants was UCF.



UCF, with its top-20 TV market and rich Florida recruiting base, had the feel of a sleeping giant even before those deliberations, but now, the Knights have won 25 consecutive games. UCF is about to play in its third BCS or New Year’s Six bowl in the span of six seasons. It’s dramatically elevated its program’s national profile and will only amplify it further should it knock off LSU in the Jan. 1 Fiesta Bowl (and possibly raise a “national championship” banner for the second consecutive year).



Whereas two years ago UCF was just one of about six semi-realistic candidates...