Rating the Big 12 expansion candidates’ Twitter statements

2:54 AM ET

The Big 12 officially got back into the expansion business one week ago. Many of the conference’s prospective future members responded by posting statements on Twitter espousing their interest and qualifications. Who posted the best statements? Who’s trying too hard? Let’s assess their efforts:

Most extensive campaign: Houston

When some of the most influential leaders in Texas are backing you on Twitter, you’re off to a pretty good start. The statements president Renu Khator and AD Hunter Yurachek sent out last week were both classy and touted their fancy “Phi Beta Kappa” and “Carnegie Tier One research institution” status.

READ THIS: Statement from President Renu Khator: pic.twitter.com/XiOMxeNkOG

— UniversityofHouston (@UHouston) July 21, 2016

READ THIS: Statement from Vice President for Athletics @HunterYurachek re: Big 12 Conference vote for expansion. pic.twitter.com/IGuSDtlUFz

— UniversityofHouston (@UHouston) July 21, 2016

Most excited: BYU

Remember, Brigham Young does not have to play nice with its current conference because it has none. So the Cougars’ AD focused on how stoked he is about the Big 12 news. Bonus points for giving a shout-out to Big 12 leadership and commissioner Bob Bowlsby.

Statement from @TomHolmoe on the Big 12 announcing it will continue to explore expansion …#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/56ZMEvioSQ

— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) July 19, 2016

Long but fair: SMU

We couldn’t find a Southern Methodist statement on Twitter, but AD Rick Hart did grant an extensive interview to the Dallas Morning News laying out the Mustangs’ case. And he said some pretty level-headed stuff, like this on SMU’s location:

“We believe that we’re a good fit. It seems natural. We have competed at that level before and done very well. We’re on a level playing field with those institutions. We’re in the middle of the footprint of the conference, …

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