Approximately 11 months after Texas and Oklahoma made waves by preparing to leave the Big 12 for the SEC, USC and UCLA are exploring a similarly seismic move with a move from the Pac-12 for the Big Ten as soon as 2024, according to multiple reports.
Pac-12 insider Jon Wilner was the first to report the potential transfer of college football powers, clarifying the move “has not been finalized” and talks are ongoing.
After Wilner’s report, several insiders confirmed the veracity of the plans, which would continue the consolidation of power across college football.
The Big 12 responded to losing Texas and Oklahoma by adding Group of Five wonders Cincinnati, Houston, UCF, and BYU. Whether the Pac-12 tries to fill out its ranks by similar means — or if more teams flock to the Big Ten — will be one of the biggest storylines going into the 2022 college football season.
BENDER: Winners, losers from USC and UCLA’s stunning departure for the Big Ten
College football as an institution is in a state of flux. As name, image, and likeness conversations continue along with the transfer portal, these conference realignments illustrate a change in philosophy across the sport. If and when this becomes official (and it has a long way to get there), the Pac-12 will have to respond.
The Big Ten, of course, still has to approve the move and there’s always the question of money. But the wheels that have been set in motion are going to be hard to slow down.
Here’s the latest on USC and UCLA’s potential moves to the Big Ten.
Big Ten news: Latest updates on USC, UCLA joining conference
This section will be updated as updates to the change come in.
July 1
The Pac-12 is going on the offensive, releasing a statement that says the league’s board of directors met Friday morning and “authorized the conference to explore all expansion options.”
July 1
Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports says Oregon and Washington are awaiting word from the Big Ten on the possibility of following UCLA and USC to the conference. Big Ten officials have told them they are “standing pat” for now as they await word from the school that undoubtedly is their top target: Notre Dame.
MORE: Will Notre Dame now join the Big Ten? The future of the Irish has become murky
June 30
The Big Ten announced the additions of UCLA and USC, saying in a statement that it continued the conference’s “legacy of transformation and innovation in college athletics.”
“The unanimous vote today signifies the deep respect and welcoming culture our entire conference has for the University of Southern California, under the leadership of President Carol Folt, and the University of California, Los Angeles, under the leadership of Chancellor Gene Block," Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren said in the statement. “I am thankful for the collaborative efforts of our campus leadership, athletics directors and Council of Presidents and Chancellors who recognize the changing landscape of college athletics, methodically reviewed each request, and took appropriate action based on our consensus.”
June 30
The Pac-12 Conference said in a statement it was “extremely surprised and disappointed” about the news of USC and UCLA leaving, but said it will continue developing programs to benefit its members.
“We look forward to partnering with current and potential members to pioneer the future of college athletics together,” the conference said in a statement.
DeCOURCY: If the Big Ten wants to get B1GGER, who are the most attractive candidates for expansion?
June 30
The two programs have announced their moves as being official now to the Big Ten:
June 30
It’s official: USC and UCLA have been accepted into the Big Ten, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. They will join the league in 2024.
June 30
Ross Dellenger is reporting the presidents in the Big Ten will vote to accept UCLA and USC into the conference. The vote is expected to be unanimous.
Meanwhile, the Pac-12’s presidents and athletic directors will call to discuss the move.
June 30
Brett McMurphy reported the deal could be done by Friday, and the conference might continue to expand past 16 teams. Meanwhile, the Big 12 could look to add Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah.
June 30
According to Brett McMurphy, USC and UCLA approached the Big Ten about joining. The Big Ten, it appears wants to oblige.
June 30
While a given, Ross Delenger makes the salient point that conferences that aren’t the Big Ten or SEC now need to keep a close eye on their prestige schools. He names Oregon, Clemson, Florida State, and North Carolina asa specific targets. Stanford could also be a sleeper in that category.
Projected Power 5 conferences for 2025
SEC schools
Alabama Arkansas Auburn Florida Georgia Kentucky LSU Oklahoma (Joining 2025) Ole Miss Mississippi State Missouri South Carolina Tennessee Texas (Joining 2025) Texas A&M Vanderbilt
Big Ten schools
Illinois Indiana Iowa Maryland Michigan Michigan State Minnesota Nebraska Northwestern Ohio State Penn State Purdue Rutgers UCLA (Joining 2024) USC (Joining 2024) Wisconsin
Big 12 schools
Baylor BYU (Joining 2023) Cincinnati (Joining 2023) Houston (Joining 2023) Iowa State Kansas Kansas State Oklahoma State TCU UCF (Joining 2023) Texas Tech West Virginia
ACC schools
Boston College Clemson Duke Florida State Georgia Tech Louisville Miami Florida North Carolina NC State Pittsburgh Syracuse Virginia Virginia Tech Wake Forest
Pac-12 schools
Arizona Arizona State California Colorado Oregon Oregon State Stanford Utah Washington Washington State
Independent
Notre Dame (ACC voting member)
