There was a rather high level of anxiety on Twitter Tuesday afternoon among locals in anticipation of the Big 12 Conference discussing expansion during a conference call featuring commissioner Bob Bowlsby and University of Oklahoma president David Boren.
As it happened, nothing official was announced, although the Big 12 is planning to move forward in examining candidates for expansion, and could look to add as many as four schools.
Even though no final decisions about expansion were made, Twitter users (both media members and fans) had reactions to what was said.
The Big 12 announces it has asked commissioner Bob Bowlsby to explore expansion candidates. “We look forward to hearing back form him."
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) July 19, 2016
Maybe I’m not quite interpreting this right, but Boren is making it sound like the Big 12 is literally $oliciting bid$.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) July 19, 2016
Interesting development that will have schools doing all sorts of things to try to get an invitation. https://t.co/XVrdUkLyPM
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) July 19, 2016
Although Bowlsby and Boren said looking at specific candidates for expansion will happen, they did not give a specific timeline about when that might occur.
Look at the bright side. We get to do this all over again AT LEAST one more time. #BYUtoBig12
— Doc 'I'm your huckleberry' Holliday (@ksav07) July 19, 2016
Am I supposed to start tweeting directly at Tom Holmoe to get it done now? How will he know that's the right thing if I don't tell him?
— Doc 'I'm your huckleberry' Holliday (@ksav07) July 19, 2016
Only thing more exhausting to follow than some of the great Big12 shootouts on the field is the back-&-forth from its leadership w expansion
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) July 19, 2016
The fact that expansion seems much more likely left an interesting range of emotions, with some members of the media leaving the conference call feeling strange, while BYU fans were excited for the most part.
There have been a lot of strange days in realignment over the last 7 years. This is near the top of the list.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) July 19, 2016
What a wacky day. The Big 12 might actually have 12 teams soon.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) July 19, 2016
I think this sums up our experience for today pic.twitter.com/FjmiLniU19
— Robby McCombs (@rtmccombs) July 19, 2016
Time for @TomHolmoe to work his magic. pic.twitter.com/ZXgYt77tBU
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) July 19, 2016
Naturally, the Cougars' rivalry with the University of Utah entered the conversation.
I for one am looking forward to BYU in the Big 12 so Twitter can start having endless Pac 12 vs Big 12 arguments.
— Brittany G (@Fibby1123) July 19, 2016
Ryan McDonald is a sports reporter at DeseretNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanwmcdonald.