The bad news keeps piling up for the Pac-12 as multiple outlets are reporting that the Big 10 is considering adding up to 4 schools from the floundering conference. Schools linked to Big 10 expansion include Washington, Oregon, Cal, and Stanford.
All 4 schools have something to offer the Big 10 whether it’s strong and recognizable football programs like Oregon or Washington, or nationally recognizable academics like Stanford and Cal. For better or worse academics are a key criterion of expansion for the Big 10.
The 4 schools would also serve as travel partners for new Big 10 additions UCLA and USC. However, if you’re wondering why as a Big 12 follower you should care what the conference to the north is up to, any moves even potential moves could have huge implications for the Big 12.
If the Big 10 does raid all 4 or even just 2 of the teams mentioned above, the Big 12 would have their pick of the schools left, as the remaining Pac 12 schools scramble to the lifeboat of the Big 12 to avoid relegation to the Mountain West or life as an independent.
Even the rumors of a Big 10 raid could spur members of the Pac 12 to flee to the Big 12 before the Big 10 finishes the conference off for good. While the college football landscape is as uncertain as ever the only thing that seems certain is that major change will be coming to the sport.
