Jason Williams

jwilliams@enquirer.com

The University of Cincinnati has made the initial cut of schools being considered to join the Big 12 Conference, a source told The Enquirer on Wednesday afternoon.

UC officials declined comment.

The Big 12 has whittled down its list of expansion candidates to at least 12 schools, ESPN.com reported late Wednesday night. The list is down from about 20 original candidates, but it's still lengthy for a conference that most likely will add no more than two new members.

Nonetheless, the Big 12 has moved a step closer to ending the months-long, on-again-off-again decision on expansion. A final decision could be made on Oct. 17, when Big 12 presidents and chancellors are scheduled to meet in Dallas. It's possibly a decision could be made sooner.

Urban Meyer: UC 'should be in Big 12'

It's no surprise UC is advancing in the Big 12's process. The American Athletic Conference school has long been considered a favorite among the expansion candidates, along with BYU, Houston and Connecticut.

In addition to those schools, ESPN reported that Central Florida, South Florida, Rice, Air Force, Colorado State, Tulane, Temple and Southern Methodist remain in contention to be invited to one of the five major football conferences. Memphis also might still be in the running, although ESPN.com said it could not confirm that school's status.

East Carolina and UNLV released statements Wednesday saying the Big 12 no longer is considering them.

Read UC's letter of interest to Big 12