Well, the college football world is forever changing. There have been rumors of conferences merging together to form super-conferences before and we might be at the tip of the iceberg. The Big Ten reels in two massive programs with the USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins making the switch from the Pac-12.
According to Sports Illustrated, the two schools were notified their applications had been accepted. The move wonāt come to fruition immediately, but both USC and UCLA will be playing in the Big Ten in 2024 and beyond. So, the Pac-12 will have two more seasons before they lose two of their biggest college football programs.
Breaking: USC and UCLA have been notified that their application to join the Big Ten has been accepted, per @PeteThamel, confirmed by @RossDellenger šØ
The Trojans and Bruins will leave the Pac-12 and start playing in the Big Ten as soon as 2024
š: https://t.co/RKKrVTjxmz pic.twitter.com/9WAVjhY3K5
ā Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 30, 2022
However, that might not be the only switch made. Due to the Big Ten absorbing USC and UCLA, other schools have reached out to the conference hoping to join as well, per 3on3 Sports. In fact, it sounds like most of those programs are coming from the Pac-12. If thatās the case, then we might just be having a couple of super conferences come to fruition these next few years.
"Several" schools have already reached out to the Big Ten after USC and UCLA's acceptance, according to @RossDellenger.
Dellenger said that most of those schools are also from the Pac-12.
Read more HERE: https://t.co/b1bIjl5L69 pic.twitter.com/xxC1Z294Sc
ā On3 (@On3sports) July 1, 2022
There is money to be had making the change though. According to John Ourand, āSoon after the news aboutĀ USC andĀ UCLA joining theĀ Big Ten broke, anĀ Apple exec called the conference with a simple message: It wanted to reengage in media-rights talks.ā Suddenly, we have an even more enticing conference now that the Trojans and Bruins will be switching over away from the Pac-12.
Apple told the Big Ten that it wants to reengage in media talks after it heard about USC and UCLA joining the conference.
My story with @SmittySBJ.https://t.co/jNo9oLocFF
ā John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) June 30, 2022
Weāll see how it all plays out, but this likely isnāt the last time we see schools make a massive change like this. While the Big Ten reels in key additions, the Pac-12 must make a key decision to keep the conference afloat. Pay close attention to college football right now, as there might be a ton of moving pieces at play.