UC joins Power Five Big 12 July 1: Part II of what to know

Saturday, July 1 the University of Cincinnati enters into their 10th athletic conference as full-fledged members of the Big 12. The move comes after 11 seasons in the American Athletic Conference and is 18 years to the day UC previously joined a major conference when they became part of the old, football-playing Big East in 2005.

UC announced Sept, 20, 2021 they would join on July 1, 2023, along with new members BYU, UCF and Houston. Since the inception of the Big 12 in 1994 the Power Five Conference has won 76 team national championships.

Part I: University of Cincinnati joins Big 12: What to know

Might there be more?

Among schools the Big 12 has targeted for expansion are recent basketball powers Gonzaga and Connecticut. The Zags lost to the Huskies in the Elite Eight and would obviously be basketball-only IF they were to accept. However, there would be a buy-out involved with the West Coast Conference and the Pac-12 would also have interest.

Connecticut as the men's national champion would add immensely to arguably the top league in the country based on NET rankings. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has been to Storrs to speak with UConn and the move would give their football team a home. However, it should be noted the Huskies pulled out of the AAC to move back to Big East basketball, leaving their football team independent. Under former NFL coach Jim Mora Jr., UConn did recently play in a bowl game.

Might 'Prime Time' return to Cincinnati?

Among his many employers, Deion Sanders was twice a Cincinnati Red. Now he's taken college football by storm with success at Jackson State, leading him to the head coaching job with the Colorado Buffaloes. Colorado was previously in the league before jumping to the Pac-12. Currently, the Pac-12 doesn't have the TV deal of the Big 12. Then there's the fact that "Coach Prime" is must-see TV. He jettisoned most of his team into the transfer portal after a spring game that was nationally televised and in front of a packed house in Boulder. From Dennis Dodd's story on CBS Sports: "It is expected that Colorado would receive an equal media rights share ($31.7 million, beginning in 2025) to join the Big 12, making the move even more attractive. The league's contract with ESPN and Fox is believed to guarantee an equal share for any expansion teams so long as they are currently Power Five members."

Others at the table?

From the west, San Diego State, UNLV, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah have come up in talks mentioning the Pac-12 and Big 12. From UC's previous conference, Memphis wouldn't mind an invite. Then there's ACC upheaval of the "Magnificent Seven" which could become eight with Louisville. A report from Mike Farrell Sports May 21 identified landing spots for some ACC teams should they break away for financial reasons. That report projected Clemson, Florida State, the Miami Hurricanes and North Carolina to the SEC; Virginia and Virginia Tech to the Big Ten and North Carolina State to the Big 12. He further speculated Georgia Tech and Duke could also join the Big 12. IF, that were to happen, could you see Louisville again in a league with Cincinnati? Would you pay to see Scott Satterfield against his old team (both presumably with fuller rosters than their forgettable Wasabi Fenway Bowl)?

Here now is Part II of some of the opposition the Bearcats will face in the upcoming Big 12 season. Again, most league teams also field golf, tennis, swimming and diving and softball teams. UC has women's lacrosse, but no softball.

OKLAHOMA

Founded in 1890, in Norman, Oklahoma. 28,052 students.

When playing UC football: Sept. 23 at Nippert Stadium

Head coach: Brent Venables

2022 record: 6-7 (3-6 Big 12)

Football stadium: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (80, 126)

Series record: Oklahoma leads 2-0

Last game: The Sooners won 31-29 Sept. 25, 2010 at Paul Brown Stadium in front of 58, 253 fans. The No. 8 Sooners were led by 370 passing yards by Landry Jones. The Bearcats had cut the lead to 24-22 with 9:45 left on a touchdown pass from Zach Collaros to D.J. Woods.

However, it was a tough night for Woods who fumbled a punt at the UC 7-yard line setting up Oklahoma for the winning score. He also had fumbled at the 5-yard line erasing a would-be score in the first half.

Collaros would throw a scoring pass with 58 seconds remaining to future NFL tight end Adrien Robinson, but Oklahoma would recover the onside kick to preserve the win. The current CFL quarterback finished 23-for-38 for 305 yards.

Basketball arena: Lloyd Noble Center (10,967)

Men’s basketball coach: Porter Moser

2022-23 record: 15-17 (5-13 Big 12)

Series record: UC leads 4-2.

Last game: UC won 56-55 on Dec. 29, 2011 at home and they’ve won four straight. Their last loss to the Sooners came on March 18, 1991 in the second season of the Bob Huggins era in the NIT to the Sooners of Billy Tubbs.

In the most recent game, Dion Dixon led Mick Cronin’s ‘Cats with 18 points and Sean Kilpatrick added 17.

Women’s basketball coach: Jennie Baranczyk

2022-23 record: 26-7 (14-4 Big 12)

Baseball stadium: L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park (3,160)

Baseball coach: Skip Johnson

Women’s soccer coach: TBD

2022 record: 9-8-3 (3-5-1 Big 12)

Women’s volleyball coach: Aaron Mansfield

Last season: 15-13 (5-11 Big 12)

National titles: Football, 2000, Men’s gymnastics has nine national championships, women’s gymnastics has five. Oklahoma softball has won six national titles.

Rivalries: The Red River Showdown between Oklahoma and Texas

Bedlam for the Bedlam Bell vs. Oklahoma State

Noted Sooners:

Actors Ed Harris, James Garner and Dennis Weaver.

Football players Brian Bosworth, Baker Mayfield, Adrian Peterson.

Country music star Toby Keith

Pro wrestling announcer Jim Ross

Pro basketball player Blake Griffin

College coaches Josh Heupel and Darrell Royal

Former congressman and football player J.C. Watts.

OKLAHOMA STATE

Founded 1890 Stillwater, Oklahoma 24,660 students

When playing UC football: Saturday, Oct. 28 at Boone Pickens Stadium (55,509)

Head coach: Mike Gundy

2022 record: 7-6 (4-5 Big 12)

Series record: Cowboys lead 2-1

Last game played: On Sept. 17, 1983 UC hosted the Cowboys (then coached by Jimmy Johnson). The Bearcats were coming off an upset of Penn State in State College 14-3, arguably the biggest moment in Watson Brown’s one season as Bearcat coach. UC gave Oklahoma State a game but eventually fell short 27-17.

Basketball arena: Gallagher-Iba Arena (13,611)

Men’s basketball coach: Mike Boynton Jr.

Last season: 20-16 (8-10 Big 12)

Series: Cowboys lead 3-2

Last game: The Bearcats won at home on Feb. 9, 2003 over the No. 11 Cowboys, 61-50. Bob Huggins had banished the Bearcats from their locker room after losing three in a row and UC responded by not losing a fourth. Jason Maxiell had 24 points and Leonard Stokes had 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Women’s basketball coach: Jacie Hoyt

Last season: 21-12 (10-8 Big 12)

Women’s soccer coach: Colin Carmichael

Last season: 12-4-4 (4-2-3 Big 12)

Baseball stadium: O’Brate Stadium (3,500)

Head baseball coach: Josh Holliday

National titles: Men’s cross country (2009,2010, 2012), Men’s golf (2000, 2006, 2017, 2018), Wrestling (four).

Rivalries: Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State “Bedlam” for the Bedlam Bell

Noted Cowboys:

Country music star Garth Brooks

Billionaire T. Boone Pickens

Golfer Rickie Fowler

Basketball coaches Eddie Sutton and Bill Self

Football coaches Buddy Ryan and Mike Gundy

NFL players Barry Sanders, Tyreek Hill and Dez Bryant

TEXAS

Founded 1883, Austin, Texas 51,892 students

When playing UC football: UC and Texas do not meet in football this year and the Longhorns move to the SEC in 2024.

Football coach; Steve Sarkisian

Football stadium: Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium (100,119)

2022 record: 8-5 (6-3 Big 12)

Series record: They have never played

Basketball arena: Moody Center (10,000)

Men’s basketball coach: Rodney Terry

Last season: 29-9 (12-6 Big 12)

Series record: UC leads 2-0

Last meeting: On March 16, 2012, Cincinnati downed Texas 65-59 in the NCAA tournament. The No. 6 seed Bearcats got 15 points and 10 rebounds from Yancy Gates.

Women’s basketball coach: Vic Schaefer

Last season: 26-10 (14-4 Big 12)

Women’s soccer coach: Angela Kelly

Last season: 15-3-4 (7-0-2 Big 12)

Women’s volleyball coach: Jerritt Elliott

Last season: 28-1 (15-1 Big 12)

Baseball stadium: UFCDU Disch-Falk Field (6,649)

Baseball coach: David Pierce

National titles: Baseball (2002, 2005), men’s golf (2012,2022), women’s track (1998, 1999, 2005), softball (2010), men’s tennis (2009), women’s volleyball (2012, 2022)

Rivalries: Texas vs. Oklahoma (Red River Showdown)

Famous Longhorns:

From Hollywood, Matthew McConaughey, Farrah Fawcett, Jon Hamm, Owen Wilson

Singer Janis Joplin

Music mogul David Geffen

Former First Ladies Laura Bush and Lady Bird Johnson

NBA players Kevin Durant and Jaxson Hayes (of Moeller High School)

MLB pitcher Roger Clemens

TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY (TCU)

Founded 1873 Fort Worth, Texas (11,928 students)

When playing UC football: The Bearcats and Horned Frogs do not meet this season.

Football coach: Sonny Dykes

Football stadium: Amon G. Carter Stadium (47,000)

Last season: 13-2 (9-0 Big 12)

Series record: UC leads 2-1

Last meeting: On Oct. 30, 2004 for then-coach Mark Dantonio UC beat TCU 21-10. Richard Hall ran for 143 yards and a touchdown, Bradley Gladthaar added a rushing touchdown and Gino Guidugli was 13-for-26 passing with a scoring toss to future NFL tight end Brent Celek.

Basketball arena: Schollmaier Arena (6,700)

Men’s basketball coach: Jamie Dixon

Last season: 22-13 (9-9 Big 12)

Series record: UC leads 5-0

Last meeting: Then-No. 24 UC beat TCU 89-74 Feb. 26, 2005 when both schools were in Conference USA. Jihad Muhammad led the Bearcats with 21 points.

Women’s basketball coach: Mark Campbell

Last season: 8-23 (1-17 Big 12)

Women’s volleyball coach: Jason Williams

Last season: 17-11 (11-6 Big 12)

Women’s soccer coach: Eric Bell

Last season: 14-6-5 (5-1-2 Big 12)

Baseball stadium: Lupton Stadium (4,500)

Baseball coach: Kirk Saarloos

Rivalries: TCU vs. Baylor (The Revivalry), TCU vs. Texas Tech (West Texas Championship for the Saddle Trophy)

Noted Horned Frogs:

Former CBS sportscaster and Kentucky first lady Phyllis George

Current TCU basketball coach Jamie Dixon

NFL players LaDainian Tomlinson, Andy Dalton, Sammy Baugh and Bob Lilly.

TEXAS TECH

Lubbock, Texas founded in 1923 (40,666 students)

When playing UC football: The Bearcats and Red Raiders do not meet this season.

Football coach: Joey McGuire

Football stadium: Jones A,T&T Stadium (60,862)

2022 record: 8-5 (5-4 Big 12)

Series record: 0-0-1

Last meeting: In 1968, under then-coach Homer Rice, the Bearcats went to Lubbock and tied the Red Raiders 10-10.

Basketball arena: United Supermarkets Arena (15,098)

Men’s basketball coach: Grant McCasland

Last season: 16-16 (5-13 Big 12)

Series record: 1-1

Last meeting: On their way to their first NCAA national championship, UC beat Texas Tech 78-55 on March 17, 1961.

Women’s basketball coach: Krista Gehrlich

Last season: 20-15 (6-12 Big 12)

Women’s volleyball coach: Tony Graystone

Last season: 16-13 (5-11 Big 12)

Women’s soccer coach: Tom Stone

Last season: 9-4-6 (5-1-3 Big 12)

Baseball stadium: Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park (4,528)

Baseball coach: Tim Tadlock

National titles: Men’s track and field (2019)

Rivalries: Texas Tech vs. Baylor (Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Shootout)

Texas Tech vs. TCU (West Texas Championship Saddle Trophy)

Noted Red Raiders:

CBS newsman Scott Pelley

NFL players Patrick Mahomes and Wes Welker

Football coaches Kliff Kingsbury, Graham Harrell (Purdue), Sonny Dykes (TCU), Dave Aranda (Baylor)

Sheryl Swoopes of the WNBA

Country singer Natalie Maines and the late John Denver.

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA (UCF)

Founded 1963, Orlando, Florida, 71,948 students

Football stadium: FBC Mortgage Stadium a/k/a “The Bounce House” (45,301)

Head football coach: Gus Malzahn

2022 record: 9-5 (6-2 AAC)

Last game: UCF defeated the Bearcats 25-21 last Oct. 29 in front of 44,313 in Orlando. Ryan Montgomery had given UC a 21-18 lead with 3:04 to go on a 39-yard run but the Knights answered with :48 left when R.J. Harvey scored on a 17-yard run.

Basketball arena:  Addison Financial Arena (10,000)

Men’s basketball coach: Johnny Dawkins

Last season: 19-15 (8-10 AAC)

Last game: UC went to Orlando on Feb. 19 and knocked off the Knights 73-71 on a floater by David DeJulius with :00.2 left on the clock. Landers Nolley II led all scorers with 18 points. New UC player Jizzle James attended the game.

Women’s basketball coach: Sytia Messer

Last season: 14-15 (4-11 AAC)

Volleyball coach: Todd Dagenais

2022 record: 28-2 (19-1 AAC)

Women’s soccer coach: Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak

2022 record: 9-2-7 (7-0-1 AAC)

Baseball stadium: John Euliano Park (3,841)

Baseball coach: The job is currently open.

Notable Knights:

Comedian Daniel Tosh

Musician Terence Trent D’Arby

NFL kicker Matt Prater

Quarterback McKenzie Milton

NBA player Tacko Fall

WEST VIRGINIA

Founded 1867 Morgantown, West Virginia 25,414 students

When playing UC football: Saturday, Nov. 18 at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium (60,000)

Football coach: Neal Brown

2022 record: 5-7 (3-6 Big 12)

Series record: WVU leads 16-3-1

Last meeting: On Nov. 12, 2011 West Virginia held off the Bearcats at Nippert Stadium 24-21. UC’s last win against the Mountaineers in football came Nov. 13, 2009 at Nippert when the No. 5 Bearcats won 24-21 at home. Isaiah Pead ran for 175 yards while Tony Pike had two touchdown passes.

Basketball arena: WVU Coliseum (14,000)

Men’s basketball coach: TBD

Last season: 19-15 (7-11 Big 12)

Series record: UC leads 9-7

Last meeting: Jan. 21, 2012 in Morgantown the Bearcats fell to the Mountaineers 77-74 in a Big East game. UC last won under Mick Cronin on Feb. 26, 2009, 65-61 at home. Yancy Gates had 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.

Women’s basketball coach: Mark Kellogg

Last season: 19-12 (10-8 Big 12)

Women’s soccer coach: Nikki Izzo-Brown

Last season: 11-5-7 (4-1-4 Big 12)

Women’s volleyball coach: Reed Sunahara

Last season: 7-22 (0-16 Big 12)

Baseball stadium: Monongalia County Ballpark (3,500)

Baseball coach: Randy Mazey

Noted Mountaineers:

Former basketball coach Bob Huggins

NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West

Football player/media star Pat McAfee

Former pro wrestling announcer Gene Okerlund

Actor Don Knotts

Game show host Steve Harvey

Football coach Rich Rodriguez

Football players and former Bengals Chris Henry and Adam “Pacman” Jones

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati's Bearcats part of Big 12 July 1. Here are more new rivals