Incoming Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby certainly didn't put an end to any college conference realignment rumors, despite saying he'd prefer if conferences "hit the pause button." This is, of course, in response to talk about Florida State bolting the ACC and joining the Big 12.
"My opinion," he told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday, "is college athletics would be well served by some period of smooth water and not all of the angst and disorganization that goes with moves from one league to another."
Well, that's all well and good, but we all know that money reigns supreme in college athletics. Bowlsby realizes this, and went on to add this:
Bowlsby declined to address FSU specifically or whether the comments are likely to heighten expansion sentiment in the Big 12, but acknowledged, "Conference realignment will continue to be an issue and one we all have to be vigilant about."
It doesn't look like Bowlsby will stand idle if major schools are looking to leave their current conferences, such as Florida State.
Currently, the Big 12 has 10 schools inside the conference, and if the Big 12 were to expand, it would likely be by two schools, living up to its name again. We're still a long ways away from anything concrete, but it certainly looks as though Bowlsby will be keeping a close eye on Florida State.