The first domino in the next round of college realignment fell on Wednesday as reports surfaced that the Colorado Buffaloes would head back to the Big 12.
Colorado was one of the “four corner schools” that were contemplating a move as more uncertainty in the Pac-12 lingers with no media deal in place. The Buffaloes opted for the stability of the Big 12 and new commissioner Brett Yormark.
While we wait to see if any of the other corner schools will make the jump to a new conference, the pacific northwest might be where our eyes should look first. The Oregon Ducks are as likely a team as any to start looking for a new home after Colorado became the third conference team in the last year to exit.
On Wednesday it was announced that the Oregon Board of Regents would hold a meeting on Thursday. The reason for the meeting isn’t clear but this feels like the wheels could be in motion for the Ducks to leave the Pac-12 as well.
The University of Oregon Executive, Audit and Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees will hold a meeting Thursday at 10 AM PT.
This looks to be scheduled very last minute. https://t.co/uMSaSalCTb
— Matt Prehm (@MattPrehm) July 26, 2023
What does a potential move mean for the Oregon State Beavers? These types of moves aren’t always a package deal like USC and UCLA. We saw Oklahoma and Texas opt to leave their fellow in-state schools behind as they chose to head to another conference.
Another school that could potentially get in the mix for the Big 12 or even the Big Ten is the [autotag]Washington Huskies[/autotag]. Washington was viewed as a potential fit for the Big Ten but with the Big 12 going on the offensive, it would make sense for the conference to go after them as well.
Yormark has recently held discussions with UConn and Gonzaga so it seems obvious that he wants representation in the conference from coast to coast. With conference realignment getting ramped up once again, keep your head on a swivel.