'They're Back' Big 12 officially welcomes Colorado back to Big 12

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark had a simple message in the press release released Thursday afternoon confirming reports that former member Colorado was returning after 10-plus years in the Pac-12 – “They’re back.” There was no confirmation of rumors that Yormark typed the two-word sentence while smoking a cigar, and there was no indication that he’d pose for a picture next to the eventual Pac-12 grave, either, but that doesn’t mean he won’t. 

This was all avoidable by the Pac-12, but pride comes before the fall. The Big 12 attempted to merge years ago before being rebuffed. The announced exits of Texas and Oklahoma caused many inside the college football world to believe the Big 12’s days were numbered. Since then, the conference added Cincinnati, Houston, BYU, and Central Florida all while outmaneuvering the Pac-12 to quickly lock in a new media rights deal that eventually led to the reacquisition of Colorado.