Big 12 expansion: Why Arizona State Sun Devils are not a top candidate to leave Pac-12

Big 12 expansion speculation continues to swirl around several schools, but we're surprised that one school isn't featured more prominently in the chatter.

Which school?

Arizona State University.

While many sites predict that the Arizona Wildcats will be the next school to leave the Pac-12 for the Big 12, and rumors and chatter are running rampant about that school's potential conference switch, the discussion surrounding the Arizona State Sun Devils is noticeably quieter.

Why are writers not taking Arizona State's Big 12 chances as seriously as Arizona's?

They explain in their lists of Big 12 expansion candidates, where they have ASU ranked much lower than Arizona.

Check out what they are saying about Arizona State's potential fit in the Big 12:

Big 12 expansion: Why Arizona Wildcats are No. 1 candidate to follow Colorado from Pac-12

Sports Illustrated: ASU not as attractive an option for Big 12 as other Pac-12 schools

Casey Lundquist wrote: "Arizona State has been one of the Big 12's top targets over the last 12 months. According to a few reports, however, the Sun Devils have not reciprocated a lot of interest. That could certainly change with the departure of Colorado, but it's something to note when evaluating Arizona State. The Big 12 is competing to be the third-best conference behind the Big Ten and the SEC. The Big 12 has a major advantage in terms of alignment with Brett Yormark and a clear vision for the future. If you're the Big 12, it's important to add schools that want to be with you, not just because it was the only option available. That statement is true for Arizona State, Utah, Oregon, and Washington. Oregon, Washington, and Utah have had a lot of football success over the last decade. Arizona is consistently one of the best basketball programs out West. Arizona State ranks last on our list of Pac-12 targets since it hasn't had too much sustained success in either basketball or football."

CBS Sports: ASU's lack of athletic success could hurts school's Big 12 prospects

Shehan Jeyarajah wrote: "Arizona State boasts one of the largest enrollments and alumni bases in the nation but without much athletic success. The Sun Devils are breaking in a new football coach and have not won an NCAA Tournament game since 2009. It's also unclear whether Arizona State is attached at the hip with Arizona. All three major public universities in Arizona -- Arizona, Arizona State, Northern Arizona -- are run by the same Board of Regents a setup which has often created conflict. How would it work if the two schools sat in different conferences?"

More: Big 12, Big Ten expansions threaten Pac-12 Conference survival

Colorado Buffaloes Wire: Arizona State's brand 'less appealing' than Arizona's

Jack Carlough wrote: "Like Arizona, Arizona State benefits from the Phoenix media market, but I consider the Sun Devils’ brand slightly less appealing compared than the Wildcats’."

Big 12 expansion: Arizona Wildcats could leave Pac-12, Arizona State Sun Devils could stay

College Football News: Sun Devils have big market going for them in Big 12 expansion candidacy

Pete Fiutak wrote: "Arizona State fits the Pac-12 with whatever the media deal turns out to be. It also falls into the possible backup pitch category for the Big 12 if Arizona isn't in, OR, it might be along for the ride if the league grabs both schools in the state. It would instantly be the biggest all-around school in the Big 12 - especially market-wise with no sharing - but so far the school hasn't been quite as interested in leaving as Arizona is."

Big 12 expansion odds: Pac-12's Arizona, Arizona State favorites to next join conference

KSL Sports: Arizona State has a lot of potential, but that's something it has always had

Mitch Harper wrote: "The biggest attraction to Arizona State would be the Phoenix market. But, like Washington, would that market care about ASU in the Big 12? The Sun Devils have seen attendance dip over the last five years at football games by 11%. That’s with USC and UCLA in the PAC. Can anyone expect the gate receipt to improve if it was matchups against Baylor, Iowa State, and Kansas? I’m skeptical. The potential has always been there for the Sun Devils, but everyone’s been saying that since they left the WAC for the PAC-8 five decades ago."

Big 12 expansion speculation: Arizona State, Arizona to follow Colorado from Pac-12?

Heartland College Sports: Lack of achievements hurt Sun Devils' Big 12 expansion case

Pete Mundo wrote: "Talk about underachievers. Find me a program that has done more with less potential in the major sports than Arizona State. Football has been bad. Basketball has been mediocre (even though I am a fan of Bobby Hurley). Arizona State has a ton going for it, but has never had the pieces to become a consistent, high-end football or basketball program."

More: Pac-12 expansion speculation includes San Diego State, SMU, Boise State, UNLV, Fresno State

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Big 12 expansion: Why Arizona State Sun Devils are not a top candidate