Penn State will have two new schools to call Big Ten opponents beginning in 2024 when USC and UCLA officially join the conference.
The additions of the Trojans and Bruins will bring the Big Ten’s membership to 16, but there could be more moves to come as the Pac-12 braces for the loss of Colorado. Colorado’s decision to return to the Big 12 in 2024 has put the West Coast conference in a troubling spot, and the Big Ten could see additional expansion candidates to consider as a result.
Oregon and Washington are two potential expansion candidates that could be viable options for the Big Ten, but Athlon Sports believes there are a handful of Pac-12 members that could see the Big Ten as their best fit moving forward should stability in the Pac-12 not be feasible.
“It’s no secret Oregon and Washington want to get into the Big Ten,” Steven Lassan writes for Athlon Sports. “Adding the Ducks and Huskies would give the Big Ten two more West Coast powers and strong brands to team with USC and UCLA.”
This has been the common theme when it comes to discussing Oregon and Washington as potential Big Ten expansion targets. Odds are probably good that the two would come as a package as opposed to one or the other. But there could be other expansion candidates worth investigating that would be good fits.
What about Stanford and Cal? Or could the Big 12 be on the horizon for California’s other two Pac-12 members?
“Adding a strong academic school would certainly appeal to the Big Ten presidents,” Athlon Sports says. “If Stanford doesn’t get a Big Ten invite, it would need to hope for an invite to an 18-team Big 12 with California.”
You can see what conferences would be the best fits for the Pac-12’s other members via Athlon Sports.
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