Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby addresses the media Monday morning during his opening remarks at this year's Big 12 media days. (AP photo)

The eyes of the Big 12 are upon Texas this week. But, hey, what’s new?

Specifically, the conference is hosting its annual Big 12 media days at the Omni Hotel in downtown Dallas today and Tuesday. Included in the festivities, along with interview opportunities with players and coaches from all 10 Big 12 football programs, will be Tuesday’s Big 12 board of directors meeting.

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, now in his “fifth year down the path,” kicked off the event with a state of the union address that featured everything from a recap of the past year and the various Big 12 accomplishments to a look to the future.

In it, Bowlsby dropped the latest buzzword that figures to be said often both this week and in the future. While acknowledging that the Big 12 board again will look at conference expansion as part of its Tuesday agenda, Bowlsby referred to it as “conference composition” rather than “expansion.”

Who knows if that was by design — conference composition seems to have a cleaner, friendlier sound to it than “expansion” — or if Bowlsby was merely going with the thesaurus.com approach to how he talked about the ongoing issues impacting the Big 12.

If I had to bet, I’d bet the word choice was the result of some kind of consultant or behind-the-scenes advisor who thought the Big 12, which has been at the center of expansion and realignment talk for the past several years, would benefit greatly from a fresh, new sound to something that has become somewhat of a nasty issue.

With that in mind, nothing changes with regard to what’s actually being talked about. It’s still (1) should we expand from 10 to 12 or higher? (2) if yes, which programs should the Big 12 grab? and (3) when is the right time to make a move?

Last spring, Bowlsby not-so-indirectly hinted that he hoped that there would be a definitive answer about the Big 12’s direction on this topic by this summer. Does that mean we’ll know anything coming out of Tuesday? Not exactly. But we could.

If anything, though, it’s likely we’ll learn whether the Big 12 will or won’t move forward with expansion — excuse me, conference composition — and not necessarily who those teams will be.

Stand by.

And be sure to check back with KUsports.com throughout the day for blog entires, videos and player interviews and soundbites from Big 12 media days.