A lot of smoke surrounding Cal and Stanford has revolved around the ACC. The two California-based schools have reportedly been in contact with the conference alongside SMU. In what would just be the latest craziest domino to fall in realignment, there may be another twist coming our way.
According to Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Big 12 has “surfaced” as an option for Cal and Stanford. There could be an opportunity for the other remaining two Pac-12 schools, Oregon State and Washington State, to be included in the deal as well.
“As Cal and Stanford attempt to finalize a deal with the ACC, the Big 12 has surfaced as another potential landing spot,” Silver said via Twitter. “In that scenario the remaining Pac 12 schools (including Oregon State and Washington State) could also join the Big 12.”
Silver does point out Cal and Stanford are attempting to finalize a deal with the ACC. But it’s never a bad thing to keep options open in today’s world of conference realignment. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has been able to attract programs throughout the offseason.
At the current moment, the Big 12 is positioned to have 16 teams. Texas and Oklahoma are on their way out of the conference in favor of the SEC, while Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah are joining in the near future.
Getting Cal, Stanford, Oregon State, and Washington State into the fold would put the Big 12 at 20 teams — the largest conference in the country. The SEC will be sitting at 16 while the Big Ten is expanding to 18 before the 2024 season.
If the move Silver is reporting is a possibility goes through, the Pac-12 would be left with no teams. Eight would be heading to the Big 12, while the other four would call the Big Ten home. A complete destruction of a conference would have taken place in just over a year’s time.
Even so, the ACC is still not out of the equation. In fact, they still may be considered the favorites to land Cal and Stanford. In that scenario, Oregon State and Washington State would still be left without a home. SMU is most likely in favor the the ACC move happening as well.
One week separates us from the regular season officially starting in college football. Conference realignment never sleeps but thus far, nothing too crazy has occurred while games are being played. We will see if things change in the near future.
