Since the University of Colorado Board of Regents voted to bolt from the Pac-12 in favor of a return to the Big 12, the wheels of realignment in college sports have remained in perpetual motion.
On Wednesday, rumors swirled of a closed-door meeting of a few Big Ten presidents who discussed adding a few of the remaining Pac-12 schools — primarily Oregon and Washington, which had been rumored targets of the conference since UCLA and USC announced they were joining in 2022.
According to ESPN, Big Ten presidents and chancellors signed off on pursuing further expansion on Thursday, giving conference commissioner Tony Petitti permission to investigate adding Oregon and Washington but not officially offering membership.
Losing the two schools, arguably the top remaining football programs in the conference, would be a massive blow — and possibly a knockout — to the Pac-12, especially with the University of Arizona and Arizona State rumored to be considering a move to the Big 12. If all four were to leave, the conference would be left frantically searching for new members as it would face entering the 2024 season with just four or five members.
The Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees both Arizona schools, scheduled its second emergency meeting of the week on Thursday, and many believe the board will only allow the two universities to be in one conference.
The Pac-12 has declined to comment on the rumors.
Florida State is also rumored to be looking for a new conference. The Seminoles have been part of the ACC since 1992 but are unhappy with the current revenue distribution system.
“Our goal would be to continue to stay in the ACC, but staying in the ACC under the current situation is hard for us to figure out how we remain competitive unless there were a major change in the revenue distribution within the conference,” Florida State President Richard McCullough told ESPN. “That has not happened. Those discussions are ongoing at all times.”
“…This continues to be a very difficult issue,” he added. “There’s a lot going on in the world of conference realignment. My current assessment of the situation after very deep analysis is I believe FSU will have to at some point consider very seriously leaving the ACC unless there were a radical change to the revenue distribution.”
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EXTRA POINTS
— Seven student-athletes from Iowa and Iowa State have now been charged as a result of a gambling probe.
“Since becoming aware of potential NCAA eligibility issues related to sports wagering by several of our student-athletes in May, Iowa State University has been actively working to address these issues with the involved student-athletes. This process is ongoing and will take time before being completely resolved,” a statement from Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard read.
“Iowa State cannot comment on any student-athlete’s circumstance or eligibility status. We will, however, continue to support our student-athletes as our compliance staff works with the NCAA to sort out questions surrounding their future eligibility for intercollegiate athletics competition.
“Iowa State Athletics educates its student-athletes, coaches and staff on NCAA rules and State of Iowa law surrounding sports wagering and will continue to emphasize the importance of understanding and adhering to these regulations moving forward.”
— The preseason watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, given for outstanding community service, was released on Thursday and includes  Houston offensive lineman Jack Freeman, SMU quarterback Preston Stone, Rice linebacker Myron Morrison, UTSA wide receiver De’Corian Clark, Texas Tech defensive tackle Tony Bradford Jr, TCU defensive back Josh Newton, Texas A&M tight end Max Wright, and Texas offensive lineman Christian Jones.
— LSU is changing how it reports injuries due to legalized sports betting.
— Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has revealed why he cut his mullet.
— North Texas has announced a free pregame concert series before home games this fall.
— SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said the conference has not discussed expansion beyond Texas and Oklahoma’s additions next year.
