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On the field, the Big 12 has tumbled into a precarious spot this season. For the first time since its inception, the conference doesnt have a single team ranked in the top 15 of the Associated Press poll. As a result, the Big 12s chances of putting a team in the playoff already seem to be dire after just three weeks.Beyond that, expansion has dominated the conversation since late spring. But after months of contemplating it and weeks of officially exploring it, where does Big 12 expansion stand with a key Oct. 17 board meeting looming?Heres the latest:The Big 12 stages in-person meetingsTwo weeks ago in the Dallas area, the Big 12 held meetings with the 11 candidates that made the conferences first round of cuts, multiple sources confirmed to ESPN.com. Those meetings began with SMU on Tuesday and ended with South Florida on Friday evening; Air Force, BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Connecticut, Houston, Rice and Tulane had their turns in between.Each session, with commissioner Bob Bowlsby and a small group of Big 12 officials, lasted roughly two hours, and the expansion candidates were limited to bringing up to five representatives, who also had to be employed by the schools in some capacity. The majority brought their president, athletic director, board chair and general counsel, though USF, for example, was able to include Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, who is a faculty member of the USF Muma College of Business.The schools spent most of those two hours pitching their individual strengths to the conference: SMU, its proximity to the rest of the league; Houston, its red-hot football program and its ability to help the Big 12 with the Houston TV market; USF and UCF, the upside of their top-20 TV markets and massive enrollments. As the Associated Press first reported, USFs showed a video that included testimonials from former NFL coach Tony Dungy and pro baseball player Tino Martinez. Said Vinik in the video, I guarantee, when the Big 12 comes to this area, and when they make USF part of their community, we will all be 100 percent behind them, and they will never regret that decision.At the conclusion of each meeting, however, the expansion candidates were given little indication of the Big 12s next step or even if there will be an actual expansion vote on Oct. 17. So far, its essentially been radio silence.One person with knowledge of the expansion process termed it as a weird limbo.Houston surgingThe Cougars have picked an opportune time to put together one of their greatest runs in school history. Houstons 33-23 Week 1 win over Oklahoma provided only more evidence that the Cougars would strengthen the competitive profile of the conference. On Nov. 17, Houston will have a prime opportunity to play its way into the playoff when third-ranked Louisville comes to town.Houstons upside as a Big 12 member, however, has strangely become perhaps the biggest knock on its candidacy.Kansas State offensive coordinator Dana Dimel and Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy spoke out against inviting Houston to the Big 12, arguing that the Cougars would steal away too many recruits from them.Anyone thats not in Texas will have a more difficult time recruiting Texas if another Texas school gets in this league, Gundy said in August.One Big 12 insider from a non-Texas school pointed out that having another game in the state of Texas would be one way in which adding Houston could actually help recruiting.Still, it seems the support for Houston remains lukewarm among the non-Texas schools, even as the Cougars have produced stellar ratings this season in the Houston TV market.Whether Houston ultimately gets in could hinge heavily on whether the four Big 12 Texas schools coalesce around the Cougars candidacy.There figures to be significant political pressure on the four Big 12 Texas schools to do just that. Texas governor Greg Abbott has already tweeted that expansion is a non-starter without Houston, and was spotted wearing a Cougars polo to the Oklahoma game.Just this week, Texas lieutenant governor Dan Patrick told KRIV-TV in Houston that This is about Texas schools. I dont really give a hoot and a holler about UConn or some school in Florida or anywhere else. Texas schools oughta vote for other Texas schools.Much of this is political posturing from elected officials angling to boost their appeal with Houston voters while improving their relationships with Houston lawmakers. That doesnt mean the pressure wont be real.The pressure will also be on Texas chancellor Bill McRaven and, by proxy, Texas president Greg Fenves, to resolve the sticky 300-acre land deal in Houston. Texas wants to build a satellite facility there, but has faced stiff opposition from Houston officials and lawmakers. At this point, the best way Texas could placate Houston would be to help get it in the Big 12. Fenves tweeted in July that he supports the Big 12 considering the Cougars. But it remains unclear whether Texas will actually go to bat for them when it counts.In the meantime, the best way Houston can help itself is to keep winning on the field. It would be difficult to envision a scenario in which the Big 12 announces expansion and leaves out the school on the brink of making the playoff.Will anything happen on Oct. 17?Since the league announced it would begin exploring expansion in July, Big 12 insiders have been pointing to the Oct. 17 board meeting of presidents and chancellors as the likeliest point at which a vote on expansion could take place.Oklahoma president and Big 12 board chair David Boren, however, seemed to turn that timetable on its head when he spoke to the media, including ESPN.com, after the schools regents meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last week.Im not certain there will be a decision at the October board meeting on expansion at this time, Boren said. Were going to look at every way in which we can make the conference stronger and better. But Im not sure the automatic answer to that is expansion.The situation is still pretty fluid.Bowlsby has been pushing the presidents to move forward with a decision on expansion as quickly as possible. Theres no sense in dragging it out once we know all the pieces to the puzzle, he said this summer.But if Borens comments were any indication, Bowlsby might not be able to persuade the Big 12 presidents to commit to a vote Oct. 17. If no vote is taken then, the expansion process could drag on through December, as Iowa State president Steven Leath suggested last month, and possibly beyond -- a frustrating proposition for many in the league.We knew who all these schools were before this process, said one Big 12 insider.Yet even after Borens most recent public comments, multiple Big 12 officials still believe that Oct. 17 will most likely be Decision Day for the conference -- one way or the other.How will the Big 12 reach consensus?One of the most under-discussed challenges to this undertaking is still ahead: How will the Big 12 actually conduct its expansion vote?In previous realignments, conferences were asked to vote yes or no on only a couple of schools. Considering the conference still has a pool of 11 candidates, the Big 12s situation is far more convoluted.Will the league first vote on whether to expand, then the number to expand by, before finally deliberating on the individual schools? Or will the league go straight to voting on schools, one-by-one? Boren acknowledged last week that the Big 12 still had not settled on a method. Bowlsby has no voting power, but he could make recommendations that could help streamline the process.Any expansion candidate, however, will still need a super majority, or eight votes, in order to get an invitation. Considering so many options remain, it could prove difficult for any one school to get the necessary votes.Nobody agrees on the teams right now, one Big 12 official noted.What remains to be seen is how the self-inflicted pressure of making this process so public could affect the decision-making. After all of the pomp and circumstance, could the Big 12, in the end, really vote not to expand? That is certainly a possibility, underscored by Borens recent comments.I would just caution you and say, I would not take expansion as a given, he said. Im not saying there wont be expansion. But Im not saying it can be automatically assumed that there will be expansion.Some inside the conference who oppose expansion, however, fear the presidents will feel compelled to vote in favor of expansion, even if theyre unsure that its the right move.As one industry insider put it, I dont know how they could go through all this and not expand.BYU losing steamMonths ago, BYU was viewed as the frontrunner in any Big 12 expansion scenario. With a passionate national fan base, strong football tradition, top-35 TV market in Salt Lake City and solid academic credentials, BYU checked every box of the criteria the Big 12 said it would be analyzing.But the LGBT communitys opposition to BYU because of its honor code has turned BYUs candidacy toxic, as one Big 12 insider characterized it.Their appeal doesnt outweigh the baggage, even though the appeal is great, another said.Earlier this month, Iowa States student government passed a resolution opposing a BYU Big 12 invite, noting that BYUs discriminatory policies and practices are inconsistent with the values of the Big 12.Last week, the ACC announced that it would be moving all neutral-site conference championship games out of North Carolina as a result of the states controversial House Bill 2 law that limits the legal protection of the LGBT community. That included the ACC removing the football championship game from Charlotte.BYU makes all the sense in the world from a football perspective, said one Big 12 source.Given the current climate, however, that might not be enough for the Cougars to get an invitation, at least without some give on its honor code.The moment of truth?Interestingly, Boren noted last week that expansion could hinge on whether it adds to the long-term stability of the conference.But if the Big 12 doesnt sign an extension of its grant of rights the way the ACC did this year, the leagues long-term stability will remain dubious, at best. The contracts currently binding the conference together expire in the 2024-25 academic year.So far, neither Texas nor Oklahoma has indicated it would agree to a grant of rights extension under any scenario. Without the extension, the clock will continue to tick on the Big 12, regardless of whether it expands or not, as the Longhorns and Sooners will be free to leave for greener pastures when the rights expire.If the two parents dont commit [to signing the extension], said one industry source, what does that tell you?Said another: The Big 12 could be close to the end.Bowlsby has said that the Big 12 will continue to fall further behind the SEC and Big Ten if it does nothing. But expansion alone wont catapult the Big 12 back onto the same plane, either.That could be one reason why the Big 12 is struggling to agree on the next step. And why anything could be possible in the coming weeks. Ronnie Lott Super Bowl Jersey . He says so-called TRT is only one problem and he wants to go even further than the ban. "Its about time," St-Pierre told reporters at a promotional event in Montreal on Friday. "I think its a good thing. Trent Taylor Super Bowl Jersey . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. http://www.49ersofficialfanshop.com/mitch-wishnowsky-jersey.html . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. KWaun Williams Super Bowl Jersey . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. Colin Kaepernick Super Bowl Jersey . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. Following a mediocre Thursday slate in the MLB, Friday offers a return to what weve grown accustomed to over the season. Lets dig right in and look at the pitchers and hitters to target on the second day of September.PitchingEliteCarlos Carrasco certainly has the skills and stuff to be a permanent fixture in the elite tier. The problem is true aces are more consistent and not as prone to the occasional blow-up as Carrasco seems to run into. Part of the Cleveland Indians right-handers woes stem from an unusually high home run rate, fueled by a bloated home run per fly ball rate. If the cause of this seasons home run spike comes to light and its something not likely to repeat, Carrasco has the goods to be a top-10 starting pitcher next season. But thats a story for next spring. Of immediate concern is an interleague date with the Miami Marlins in Progressive Field. The Marlins whiff at a below-average rate, but theyre also near the bottom of the league in homers off righties. This reduced Carrascos risk, leaving him as a top DFS cash option with a possible upside in whiffs depending on the lineup he faces.The last few times Noah Syndergaard took the hill, the advice was cautionary as not only is he working through bone spurs, he has had minor arm woes throughout the second half. While theres still risk, Thor has demonstrated it isnt a concern on a start-by-start basis. That is, base your decision solely on the matchup and dont temper expectations in fear of a truncated effort. This change in approach would have been more impressive if the end result was using Syndergaard based on a great matchup. However, the New York Mets right-hander welcomes the Washington Nationals into Citi Field. The visitors have been crushing righties as of late, with very few whiffs. Health isnt the concern; paying up for a guy with a very tough matchup is.David Price enters Fridays road game against the Oakland Athletics on a modest four-game winning streak, sporting a tidy 1.93 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in that span, striking out 27 in 28 innings. The Boston Red Sox lefty is in a great spot to keep the roll going as the hosts are one of the worst teams against southpaws for the past month, which includes a high 25 percent strikeout rate in that scenario. Price profiles as the top GPP pick among the upper-echelon arms.SolidJameson Taillon has acquitted himself quite nicely in his rookie season with the Pirates. The 24-year old righty should approach 150 combined innings this season, which is impressive considering he didnt pitch at all the past two seasons, recovering from Tommy John and hernia surgery. Taillon is in a great spot to kick off September strong with a home affair against NL Central cohabitants, the Milwaukee Brewers. The guests whiff at a 25 percent clip versus righties, putting the Bucs freshman in play in all DFS formats.Innings and strikeouts usually trump win potential with respect to identifying a DFS hurler. Being favored comes into play a little more when the strikeout potential of the pitcher is tempered by the opponent. This is precisely the case Friday night as Jon Lester should be favored over Matt Cain and the San Francisco Giants in Wrigley Field. This is a good considering for the past month, the Giants have been extremely stingy with punchouts against southpaws, sporting the leagues lowest 16 percent rate. The upside isnt there for GPP action, but Lester remains a solid choice for cash games.Promise Julio Urias tosses six frames against the San Diego Padres and hell get rubber stamped for DFS action. To his credit, the 20-year old phenom has done exactly that in his last two outings, giving up a combined one run, fanning 14 and walking only two along the way. Its also interesting to note that while the Friars are among the leaders in weighted on base average (wOBA) versus righties for the season, they check in with the second-lowest mark over the past month. Maybe the best approach is to get some exposure to Urias as the upside is pretty huge but look elsewhere if youre a one-lineup gamer.Marcus Stroman usually profiles as better for cash games than tournament play as his style of an average strikeout rate but going deep into games is better for floor than ceiling. However, with a road date in Tropicana Field against a Tampa Bay Rays lineup that fans a quarter of the time against right-handers, the Toronto Blue Jays righty is a candidate for GPP action as well.Danny Duffy looks to get back on track after taking one on the chin last time, courtesy of a Boston Red Sox lineup that has ballooned the numbers of a slew of hurlers this season. Unfortunately for the Kansas City Royals southpaw, next up is an AL Central meeting with the Detroit Tigers, albeit at home. Keep in mind Kauffman Stadium suppresses power but plays positive for runs. However, since power is what drives the Tigers attack, Duffy is in play for GPP action as his 9.3 K/9 meshes well with the visitors 21 percent whiff rate versus southpaws.Streamers Perhaps Dylan Bundy has hit the wall or maybe the league is getting a book on him, but the Baltimore Orioles right-handers has had a rough go of it lately. Bundy has given up five earned in two of his last three outings, both of which lasted fewer than five frames. As likely assumed, walks and homers have been the primary culprits. Fridays matchup with the New York Yankees in Camden Yards will be a challenge but not enough to bench Bundy if you need a late-week push. The visitors arent especially patient and if you ttake away Gary Sanchezs heroics, the Bronx Bombers were near the bottom of the pack in August homers.ddddddddddddriday is going to be a good test for Andrew Triggs as the Oakland Athletics welcome the Red Sox into O. Co Coliseum for a weekend set. Triggs has excelled since leaving the bullpen and joining the rotation, but he hasnt faced the top-scoring team in the league. That said, despite their top tally total, the Red Sox have been held to three or fewer runs 44 times, 24 of which were on the road. Theres obviously risk but theres also precedent, the Red Sox can be kept in check. Especially backed by the run-suppressing venue, Triggs is in play for a spot starter.Because of his pre-Tommy John surgery track record, Alex Cobb has sat on many a fantasy reserve or disabled list the first five month of the season. The Tampa Bay righty is set for his 2016 debut against the daunting Toronto Blue Jays. As tough as the matchup is, if you own Cobb in AL-only formats, you might as well run him out there assuming you need to make up some ground in pitching. Mixed leagues formats can take the wait-and-see approach, unless the situation dictates taking the chance. Clouding the picture is Cobb did not look good during his rehab assignments, starting four games, tossing 15 stanzas, registering a 6.6 ERA and 1.9 WHIP.For most of the season, Jeremy Hellickson has been a matchup play and Friday is no exception. Upon first glance, hes in a good spot, taking on the Atlanta Braves at home. But keep in mind the visitors have hit righties well lately, registering a .345 August wOBA in that scenario. Still, especially if youre chasing wins, Hellicksons in play with Joel De La Cruz taking the ball for the Braves.The Los Angeles Angels were near the bottom of the pack in terms of wOBA versus lefties last month. So while Ariel Miranda has scuffled since entering the Seattle Mariners rotation, hes another option for a sneaky win as the Mariners bats should be able to get to the Halos Brett Oberholtzer.AvoidSpeaking of Oberholtzer, his 47 projected game score puts him just above the cutoff to be deemed an automatic avoid. However, even though the Mariners better hitters are left-handed, the Angels southpaw is a big risk in the Pacific Northwest.One of the dichotomies between DFS and seasonal formats is a pitcher can be a great play in one but a huge risk in the other. Case and point, Robbie Ray will take the mound in Coors Field. The Arizona Diamondbacks young lefty sports an 11.2 K/9 and holds the platoon edge over many of the superior Colorado Rockies sticks, making him a strong DFS GPP play. But with that upside comes lapses in control, which is the last thing you want in Coors, irrespective of which batters box is occupied. Therefore, unless you need whiffs and dont care about ratios, Ray is best left on the bench.HittingFriday lines up to be a choice between Coors and Coors light, with a couple of staunch offenses facing middling pitchers in Arlington. Lets lead with Globe Life Park where Doug Fister and the Houston Astros will square off with A.J. Griffin and the Texas Rangers. Griffins issue is homers, and Fister isnt especially dominant so hes vulnerable to lefty swingers that put the ball in play. Both of these scenarios feed right into the opposing teams strength. Lefty-swinging Colby Rasmus is in the best spot for the home team with the right-handers also threats against the Rangers fly-ball righty. Dont hesitate to use George Springer, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa or Evan Gattis. On the other side, focus on the left-handed contingent of the Rangers, notably new leadoff hitter Nomar Mazara, Carlos Beltran, Rougned Odor and Mitch Moreland.Coors Field features a battle of lefties so the right-handed brethren of both squads will be in the spotlight. A.J. Pollock hasnt missed a beat since returning, making Paul Goldschmidt a happy teammate, especially facing Jorge De La Rosa. Other Snakes to consider include?Jean Segura, Welington Castillo,?Yasmany Tomas?and especially lefty-crusher, Rickie Weeks Jr. The home teams Nolan Arenado, DJ LeMahieu and Stephen Cardullo are in the best spot against Ray.Wrigley Field will be another popular place for hitting with Albert Suarez taking the ball for the San Francisco Giants. Aside from the standard fare of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward and Chris Coghlan are moderately priced options with the platoon bump.Normally, a Seattle Mariners stack features their stable of lefty swingers but Friday sets up well for Franklin Gutierrez, Dae-Ho Lee and Mike Zunino facing southpaw Ariel Miranda. Nelson Cruz is of course in play, just make sure hes in the lineup as hes been nursing a sore hand but is expected to return to action.Finally, Alex Reyes has a great future with the St. Louis Cardinals but hes still raw. The rookie righty takes the hill in the Great American Ball Park where the patient Joey Votto is a no-brainer for cash play and Scott Schebler makes a nice salary-saving option for GPP action.Most likely to hit a home run: Nelson CruzLets assume the reports are accurate and Cruz indeed is hitting his usual clean-up in Safeco Field thus in a great spot against Oberholtzer.Most likely to steal a base: Wil MyersI want to go with a Padre but have dipped into the Travis Jankowski well too often so lets give Myers and his out-of-nowhere 24 pilfers the nod. ' ' '