08 August 2023 , 18:23
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The world of college football is on the brink of a significant transformation as eight schools prepare to transfer to new conferences, raising questions about the future of the "Power Five" conferences.
For decades, the top-tier teams in the NCAA have been divided among the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC. However, recent announcements have shaken up this arrangement.
The Pac-12, in particular, is facing uncertainty as eight teams express their intention to leave the conference. Currently, only four schools remain in the division: California, Oregon State, Stanford, and Washington State.
Last year, the landscape began to shift when UCLA and USC, two powerhouse schools from Los Angeles, sprung a surprise by announcing their departure from the Pac-12 to join the Big Ten alongside prestigious teams like Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, reports the Express US. This move dealt a significant blow to the Pac-12, losing two of the most esteemed and popular teams in the nation.
Now, six more schools have confirmed their departure from the Pac-12 in 2024. Pacific northwest schools Oregon and Washington will join the Big Ten alongside the California schools.
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Additionally, Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado are set to join the Big 12. This exodus of schools has put the Pac-12 in a difficult position and raises concerns about the conference's potential dissolution.
Big Ten and Big 12 commissioners have expressed their excitement about welcoming these new schools into their conferences. However, this leaves the Pac-12 in a precarious position and could potentially lead to its collapse.
Utah has quit the Pac-12 to join the Big 12 this year (Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Each departing school is expected to receive around $30 million (£23.6m), significantly less than what they earned in their previous conference. Historically, the Pac-12 has had a lower quality of teams compared to the other "Power Five" conferences.
The last time a Pac-12 school won a national championship was in 2004, when USC claimed the title. By joining the Big Ten and Big 12, the schools hope to face tougher competition and attract more viewership with high-profile matchups against teams from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC.
There are also reports suggesting that Stanford and California may join the Big Ten, further jeopardizing the Pac-12's future. As the landscape of college football undergoes these significant changes, the fate of the Pac-12 hangs in the balance.
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