In a recent development, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark announced that discussions regarding UConn's potential membership in the conference have been put on hold. This decision comes after UConn officials met with athletic directors from the Big 12 in Dallas last month to explore the possibility of joining the conference.

While UConn has enjoyed tremendous success in basketball, with the men's team clinching two consecutive national championships and the women's team being highly regarded, the primary focus of the recent rounds of conference realignment has been football. Unfortunately, UConn's football program has struggled both on the field and in terms of investment and fan support.

Since becoming a Division I-A member in 2000, UConn's football team has faced challenges, with a record of 110-170. These lackluster results, combined with a prolonged lack of investment and enthusiasm, have contributed to concerns about the Huskies' ability to compete at the level required by the Big 12.

During the discussions, one proposal emerged suggesting that UConn could join the Big 12 in football by 2031, with an earlier entry for other sports. This extended timeline would have allowed the Huskies to have multiple years to improve their football program and demonstrate their commitment to the sport.

However, it seems that these plans have been put on hold for now. The Big 12's decision to pause the expansion talks with UConn indicates the conference's concerns about the football program's historical struggles and the need for significant investments to overcome these challenges.

While UConn's accomplishments in other sports cannot be overlooked, the Big 12's focus on football calls for a reevaluation of the Huskies' readiness to participate in the conference. It remains to be seen how UConn will respond to these concerns and whether they will be given another opportunity to pursue membership in the Big 12 in the future.

In the meantime, UConn will continue to seek ways to improve its football program and address the challenges it faces. The university's renowned basketball teams and other athletic endeavors will remain a source of pride for the school, but the Big 12's decision emphasizes the importance of a strong football program for conference affiliation.

As both parties take a pause, it is clear that UConn will need to make significant strides in its football program to demonstrate its readiness for Big 12 membership.