The Big 12 just took a long-awaited swipe at the Pac-12 as it poached Colorado away from the West Coast-based league with the Buffaloes set to settle back into their former home in 2024. Colorado will return to an iteration of the league it played in consistently for 70 years before the Pac-12 move.
So now that the floodgates have opened, will the dam break? The Big 12 has been aggressive in its pursuit of the so-called “Four Corners schools.” Meanwhile, otther Pac-12 and Group of Five programs could also be considered as the Big 12 potentially looks to grow in the coming weeks.
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has not operated like traditional commissioner since he took the job almost a year ago. Almost from the beginning, he telegraphed his intention to be a national conference and double down on basketball. Will the strategy work? Here are some potential Big 12 expansion candidates as the realignment carousel is spinning once again.
Power Five options
Arizona: If the Big 12 only adds one more Power Five school, the Wildcats are top priority. Arizona fits well within the elite basketball configuration of the Big 12 and has invested well on the football side of things under third-year coach Jedd Fisch. Getting into the American Southwest has long been a target for the Big 12, and connecting through Colorado and Provo, Utah (BYU), makes the add a no-brainer. Arizona president Robert Robbins has been on the record saying that he is comfortable waiting for the financials tied a Pac-12 media deal before making a decision. More than a year after negotiations started, the Pac-12 has not delivered one, which ultimately led the Buffaloes to defect. If the number finally comes in, will Arizona pull the rip cord if brass aren’t satisfied?
Arizona State: Arizona State boasts one of the largest enrollments and alumni bases in the nation but without much athletic success. The Sun Devils are…
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