The time to sit back and be patient is beyond the Big 12. A conference that has lost twice in the conference realignments of the last decade can’t afford to sit on its hands while the pieces are moved around the board by the Big Ten and the SEC.
USC and UCLA heading to the Big Ten has set off an expansion arms race in college football where the Big 12, Pac-12, and ACC are looking for a way to maintain whatever foothold they have left.
And the Big 12 is taking a big swing.
According to CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd, in addition to Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State, the Big 12 is looking at the potential of adding two more schools in realignment talks.
The Big 12 is involved in deep discussions to add multiple Pac-12 programs as a way to shore up its membership in the wake of the USC and UCLA defection to the Big Ten, sources tell CBS Sports. At least four teams are being considered with the potential for the Big 12 to add more as realignment continues to shake out.
Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah were mentioned specifically as the teams being targeted by the Big 12, sources tell CBS Sports. There is also consideration of adding Oregon and Washington to make the Big 12 an 18-team league, the largest in the FBS. – Dodd, CBS Sports
The four that have been discussed make a ton of sense. If they can land Oregon and Washington, two of the 25 most valuable schools in the country according to a Forbes report in 2019, that would be a huge win for the Big 12.
New Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark doesn’t start officially until August 1. If the conference is able to land the six proposed teams mentioned, the Big 12 will reassert their place in the college football power structure.
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