Ranking potential candidates for further Big 12 expansion
After adding Colorado, the Big 12 is not done expanding.
Per ESPN’s Heather Dinich, the conference would like to snag one more school ahead of the 2024 season to give the league an even 14 members.
So, who are the top candidates? Brett McMurphy of the Action Network reported the Big 12 is first seeking out a handful of Pac-12 schools. If that doesn’t yield an agreement, the Big 12 has a number of Group of Five schools in mind.
Conference realignment is a hot topic ahead of the 2023 college football season. With Colorado being the latest domino to fall, further moves are expected in the near future.
Using McMurphy’s reported list of schools the Big 12 is considering, below are my top candidates for expansion:
SMU
Because the Big 12 already has four schools in Texas, SMU is the least attractive possibility of the options McMurphy mentioned.
UNLV
The Las Vegas media market is certainly intriguing, but the Rebels haven’t enjoyed much success in the Mountain West. Historically, though, UNLV has been very successful at times, particularly in men’s basketball.
Memphis
The Tigers have certainly made some noise on the gridiron in recent years, plus the Memphis media market would be a nice get.
UConn
UConn’s attractiveness comes primarily through basketball. Both Huskies teams have won national championships in recent years.
San Diego State
San Diego State’s March Madness run last season adds more value to a school with one of California’s largest media markets.
Arizona State
Like Arizona, Arizona State benefits from the Phoenix media market, but I consider the Sun Devils’ brand slightly less appealing compared than the Wildcats’.
Arizona
Arizona football appears to be on the rise and its basketball programs have been more than competitive of late. This is likely the Big 12’s top target, per multiple reports.
Utah
Despite being the Pac-12’s most successful football program of late, Utah’s Salt Lake City media market leaves something to be desired.
Washington
With Seattle and a winning football program on its side, Washington is No. 2 on this list. If it’s not in the Big 12, the Huskies should have no problem finding a new Power Five conference — assuming the Pac-12’s downfall continues.
Oregon
Oregon’s brand is one of the biggest and most unique in college athletics. This would be a huge win for the Big 12 and one that would give the conference at least one school in all four major U.S. time zones.
