What’s next for Big Ten, Pac-12 and Big 12 in college football expansion?
By Ryan Kay
Possible Big 12 additions
The Big 12 is looking to add up to a half dozen teams from the Pac-12 in the near future. Which teams are the Big 12 looking to add and what is the real possibility that teams from the Pac-12 conference leave to join their conference?
As reported by CBS’s Dennis Dodd, the Big 12 is looking to add multiple teams to their conference from the Pac-12.
https://twitter.com/AmandaGuerraCBS/status/1544497275849916417?cxt=HHwWgoC-uduFlO8qAAAA
Let’s take a look at the most likely programs of the rumored candidates that are looking to possibly join the Big 12.
854. . . . Sun Devils . . team
Member of a Power Five Conference: Yes, Pac-12
Top 40 Revenue School: Yes (#39)
Top 120 Academic National University: Yes (#117)
Top 30 tv/streaming market: Yes (#11)
Chance of joining the Big 12: 50%
ASU vice president for athletics Ray Anderson on July 5 said that Arizona State is fully committed to remaining in the Pac-12 conference. However, it is being reported that the Sun Devils are open to the idea of possibly joining the Big 12. Arizona State may pull a Texas A&M and leave for the Big 12 like how the Aggies did in 2012 but we should possibly know soon if the Sun Devils stay in the Pac-12 or leave to join the Big 12 in the near future.
team. 835. . . . Wildcats .
Member of a Power Five Conference: Yes, Pac-12
Top 40 Revenue School: No (#54)
Top 120 Academic National University: Yes (#103)
Top 30 tv/streaming market: No (#64)
Chance of joining the Big 12: 45%
The difference between Arizona and Arizona State is that Arizona is a member of the Association of American Universities and Arizona State is not. Being an AAU member is not a deal-breaker in conference expansion with the only exception being that it is a big factor when a school is applying to become a member of the Big Ten conference. Arizona may want to stay in the Pac-12 conference as it may be a better fit, but if Arizona State and other Pac-12 schools leave for the Big 12, it is likely that the Wildcats will follow.
857. . . . Buffaloes . . team
Member of a Power Five Conference: Yes, Pac-12
Top 40 Revenue School: Yes (#37)
Top 120 Academic National University: Yes (#99 tied)
Top 30 tv/streaming market: Yes (#16)
Chance of joining the Big 12: 35%
There is no debate that Colorado is a better geographical fit in the Big 12 than the Pac-12. However, the Buffaloes were members of the Big 12 conference from 1996 to 2010. When they left to join the now Pac-12, Colorado president Bruce D. Benson said that the Buffaloes joining was a “perfect match” with the Pac-10. Colorado like Arizona is an AAU member and going back to a conference that you left over a decade ago may be an indication that the Buffaloes will stay in the Pac-12 especially if Utah, Washington, and Oregon stay in the conference and the Pac-12 can get a new media rights deal to increase revenues for Pac-12 members. However, like Arizona State and Arizona, it is possible that Colorado can leave to join the Big 12 conference.