Ohio State football will be playing UCLA, USC often. What to know about Big Ten expansion
The last day of June changed the landscape of the Big Ten Conference.
Literally.
Within hours of reports surfacing that two of the Pac-12's marquee universities were pondering a move, the move was done. USC and UCLA are officially in the Big Ten Conference.
Geographically, it may not make sense, but geography and conference names that include numbers rarely matter when it comes to college conference realignment. Remember when Boise State (like the mid-major power from Idaho) was going to join the Big East?
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The move means Ohio State football will play more games in the Rose Bowl, but they all won't be on New Year's Day or in the College Football Playoff. It means the Ohio State basketball team will play in Pauley Pavilion on a regular basis and non-revenue generating college sports will be taking a lot of cross country trips.
But is Big Ten expansion over?
Here's what we know about the Big Ten expansion and college conference realignment.
Is Notre Dame football joining the Big Ten?
No. The Fighting Irish are not joining the Big Ten Conference as of July 1.
The Irish, who play Ohio State football in September, are still an independent program that as an affiliation with the ACC.
How many teams are in the Big Ten?
Right now there are 14 teams in the Big Ten. When USC and UCLA join the Big Ten in 2024 there will be 16 teams.
How many teams are in the SEC?
The Big Ten Conference and the SEC will have 16 teams by 2024, but both have 14 currently. Texas and Oklahoma will join the SEC, possibly sooner than 2024.
When was the last time the Big Ten Conference expansion happened?
Maryland and Rutgers joined in 2014, three years after Nebraska joined the conference. The Big Ten hasn't had 11 teams since 1993, when Penn State joined.
Who are the original members of the Big Ten Conference
1896: Michigan
1896: University of Chicago
1896: Illinois
1896: Minnesota
1896: Northwestern
1896: Purdue
1896: Wisconsin
When did Ohio State join the Big Ten Conference?
Ohio State joined the Big Ten in 1912. They were part of the third expansion, following Indiana and Iowa. Michigan left the conference in 1907 but returned in 1916.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football has new Big Ten foes in USC,UCLA: What to know
