Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy was part of South Floridas pitch to the Big 12 and former major league first baseman Tino Martinez also went to bat for the Bulls. Vans Shoes Wholesale Store .The Big 12 concluded a week of meetings Friday in North Texas with the 11 schools vying to join the conference. USF, Cincinnati and Rice made the final presentations, according to three people with knowledge of the meetings who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the conference was keeping its meetings confidential.According to a person familiar with USFs pitch, Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik was part of the five-person team, led by university president Judy Genshaft, the school sent to Texas.USFs presentation included a video with Dungy, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts coach, and Martinez, a Tampa native, endorsing the Bulls, the person said.I think the Big 12 would be surprised to know how many people in the Tampa area are really behind the USF Bulls, Dungy said, according to an excerpt provided to the AP. There are so many sports fans here that just love the university and love to see college athletics.Dungys son, Eric, played football for USF in 2014.USF is definitely ready, said Martinez, who played 16 seasons in the majors with Seattle, the New York Yankees, St. Louis and Tampa Bay.USF plays its home games in Raymond James Stadium, home of the Buccaneers and the site of this seasons College Football Playoff championship game.The Big 12 is also considering Air Force, BYU, Central Florida, Colorado State, Connecticut, Houston, SMU and Tulane. The conference has not committed to expansion, but Commissioner Bob Bowlsby has said it is exploring the possibility of adding two or four new members to the 10-team league.There has been no timetable set for the Big 12 to make a decision, but the conferences university presidents are scheduled for a regular meeting Oct. 19.--Follow Ralph Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP Vans Shoes Clearance . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. Vans Old Skool Cheap . PAUL, Minn. http://www.vanssalestore.com/vans-old-skool-clearance.html . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Matchups are often a driving force behind fantasy owners weekly lineup decisions. When choosing between two (or more) similarly talented players, you know the first question that comes to mind: Which one has the best matchup?Ah, but what, exactly, constitutes a favorable or unfavorable matchup?Thats where this column comes in. The Matchups Map provides a schedule-independent metthod to determine strength of positional matchups, using the most recent, relevant data. Vans Old Skool Clearance Sale. Check back for updated numbers each week, including matchup highlights at each position, both favorable and unfavorable, based upon those statistics. ' ' '