The Pac-12 as we know it will be no more next year, leaving the Standford football program in limo. With the 2023 college football season only a few weeks away, Stanford is one of four remaining Pac-12 schools that hasn't accepted an invitation to another conference. The latest rumors suggest that Cardinal might end up in the ACC, a move that Stanford football coach Troy Taylor understands would come with some adjustments.

Leaving the Pac-12 for the ACC would significantly increase the amount of travel for the Stanford football team. Almost all of the ACC schools are on the east coast, each more than 2,000 miles away from Stanford's California campus. In the 2023 season, the biggest trip that Troy Taylor and the Cardinal will make for a conference game is their matchup with Colorado, which is less than a day's drive away.

Perhaps understanding the new reality of college football that comes with conference realignment, Taylor isn't concerned with the possibility of increased travel.

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Football News
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws during the Crimson Combine at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Oklahoma football’s John Mateer takes extreme measure to prepare for first season with SoonersPreston Byers ·
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel during the Orange & White spring game in Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee football laps SEC rivals on recruiting scene with pair of key commitmentsBenjamin Adducchio ·
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) runs to the outdoor fields with teammates and coaches during Spring Practice in Clemson, S.C. Monday, March 24, 2025.
Clemson football’s Cade Klubnik reflects on return to Manning Passing AcademyJaren Kawada ·
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) makes a throw during warmups before a game against the Missouri Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Ty Simpson gets real on why he ‘couldn’t leave’ Alabama footballJaren Kawada ·
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) tackles Arizona State defensive back Javan Robinson (12) as he returns an interception during the second half at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe.
BYU football’s Jake Retzlaff denies recent rape allegationsBenjamin Adducchio ·
Texas Longhorns quarterback, Arch Manning during his first practice of the spring season
The 2 NFL superstars Texas football’s Arch Manning looks up toGuillermo Guajardo ·

“I'm OK with traveling. Our guys love playing football, and if you've got to travel a little more, that means when people come play us, they got to travel,” Taylor said, via ESPN. “We want to be in a great conference and we're sure that will happen. The travel, if that happens, it's fine.

“People used to have to come across the country in a covered wagon — it would take them months and they'd be completely different people by the time they got there. We get on a plane for five hours, six hours, that's not the end of the world. You get drinks served to you and some snacks and it's not that bad.”

Taylor's biggest concern is that the Stanford football team stays in a Power 5 conference. The ACC has yet to vote on adding Stanford or any other Pac-12 schools to the conference.