The Big 12 held two days of meetings last week in Phoenix, and people listened carefully.

Consider that progress.

No one among the football coaches and athletic directors dismissed out of hand the possibility of expansion, a football title game and a conference TV network. Or even all three.

While it's a stretch to say Big 12 expansion is probable, it may be more likely now than at any time since the addition of TCU and West Virginia.

Many questions need to be answered, both internally and by the Big 12's TV consultants when the conference ADs and board of governors (presidents and chancellors) meet in Las Colinas on May 31-June 3.

For now, the Big 12 seems serious about trying to shed its dysfunctional image. While the Big 12 seems to study the landscape more than anyone since Ansel Adams, this exercise is a good thing -- regardless of where it leads.

"If the Big 12 is going to get its act together, the opportunity is now," said one industry source familiar with the process.

The composition (read: expansion) committee will talk twice by phone before the Irving meetings, Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said, with the board of governors also meeting by phone.

Keep these factors in mind as the Big 12 ponders its future:

TV projections

The focus was on Navigate Research in Phoenix and its presentation that expansion and a title game would enhance the Big 12's chances of making the College Football Playoff. While Navigate will also be in Las Colinas, another significant presentation will be delivered by TV consultants Bevilacqua Helfant Ventures.

BHV has been testing the waters on a conference TV network and what a new television deal would be worth if the Big 12 expands and extends its current deal that runs through 2024-25.

While cable networks are cutting back in the face of cord-cutting, the appetite for live sports broadcasting remains strong. The projections and any increase in TV revenue will be one key for how the Big 12 precedes on expansion.

University of Texas

Even though the Longhorns have been relatively quiet throughout the process, they play a key role.

For one thing, folding the Longhorn Network -- as well as the third-tier deals of other conference schools -- into a Big 12 network is one key potential puzzle piece. While from afar the Longhorn Network looks like an epic disappointment and even a punch line, it's a major source of university pride for UT folks. How many universities have their own network?

Rest assured, Texas will not agree to anything unless it's guaranteed all the money remaining on its current LHN contract with ESPN -- and maybe not then. Consider what Texas AD Mike Perrin said in Phoenix:

"I can't say I've got an open mind on any of these issues," Perrin said. "I can say I've got an open mind for receiving data."

The Big 12 and its partners will have to do a lot of selling to Texas President Greg Fenves and Perrin. LHN or not, Texas appears to really like 10 conference members and no more.

Expansion

If the TV numbers make sense and Texas buys in -- two big ifs -- then the Big 12 has to look at how many and who.

If numbers aren't there, expansion doesn't make sense. Will all due respect to schools extolling their virtues to the Big 12, there's a reason those schools remain outside the "power five.''

Since any expansion dovetails with a TV network, look to the markets of possible candidates. For now, the top four are believed to be Connecticut, BYU (which has a national following), Cincinnati and possibly Colorado State (Denver market), although the situation is fluid.

A possible barometer: Don't expect instant announcements of expansion, a network and a title game.

If things go well, the presidents could emerge on June 3 talking about a framework to go forward. That would imply mutual agreement and potentially big things by the end of summer.

If all you hear is talk of constructive dialogue, think roadblocks.

Should the Big 12 do nothing, it would continue to lose ground on the Big Ten and SEC.

While expansion and a title game and a TV network bring no guarantees, the conference has to decide if it's worth a try.