a 17 year gap that ended more than a decade ago.

Member of the Southwest Conference from 1923 to 1995 (when it dissolved).

Member of the Big 12 from 2012-present.

I see your point. I just figure with their combined 65 year history in a power league plus the fact that they've been in the Big 12 for a dozen years, they are pretty much "legacy" P4 members.