Which Teams Move With College Football Conference Realignment Today?
Two years after Oklahoma and Texas announced their leaving the Big 12 for the SEC, the first college football conference realignment moves become official. The bombshell announcement kicked off a domino effect and the biggest shift in conference identity in a decade. But the 14 teams officially joining new conferences today is just the beginning – 2024 offers even more major change.
So, which teams will you see playing in new conferences this fall? Let's dive in.
Big 12 Conference Realignment
The highest level conference impacted by conference realignment this year is the Big 12 (and, arguably, next year too). Oklahoma and Texas stick around for one final season in the Heartland's conference, but BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF join the fray this season.
- BYU Cougars: Independent since 2011. 8-5 record in 2022.
- Cincinnati Bearcats: Moving from AAC (since 2013). 9-4 record in 2022.
- Houston Cougars: Moving from AAC (since 2013). 8-5 record in 2022.
- UCF Knights: Moving from AAC (since 2013). 9-5 record in 2022.
All four teams moving into the Big 12 bring strong football accolades. Three of the members (BYU, Cincinnati, Houston) boasted 10+ win seasons in 2021, with the Bearcats making the College Football Playoff. UCF hit their height in 2017, going undefeated and claiming an unofficial national championship.
The new members have a combined 78-29 record (.729) in the last two seasons with four bowl wins.
Keep an eye out later this summer for complete profiles and previews for each of these teams.
American Athletic Conference Realignment
The departing members from the AAC were the conference's most consistently successful members. In response, the AAC brings in six new teams, most of which target large TV audiences (per 2022-23 Nielsen rankings):
- North Texas Mean Green: Dallas-Fort Worth (5th largest TV market in US)
- Rice Owls: Houston (7th)
- FAU Owls: Miami-Fort Lauderdale (18th)
- Charlotte 49ers: Charlotte, NC (21st)
- UTSA Road Runners: San Antonio (31st)
- UAB Blazers: Birmingham/Anniston/Tuscaloosa (45th)*
*Birmingham is the smallest of the TV markets acquired but gives the AAC a footprint in the southeast, lacking mostly except for Tulane (New Orleans).
While none of the inbound teams bring with them the prowess of any of the outbound ones, the moves were strategic. UTSA also brings back-to-back CUSA championships and 11+ win seasons under head coach Jeff Traylor.
Conference USA Realignment
The six outbound teams from CUSA (no longer "C-USA") also take with them the last six conference championships. Also gone with those programs was CUSA's footing in major TV markets.
To combat their losses, the league brings in four new members, all of which are leftover programs and inbound FCS teams:
- Jacksonville State Gamecocks: 132nd FBS member, up from FCS
- Liberty Flames: Independent since 2018
- New Mexico State Aggies: Independent since 2018
- Sam Houston State Bearkats: 133rd FBS member, up from FCS
What's Next?
The 2024 season brings further change, with Oklahoma and Texas making their official move to the SEC. UCLA and USC also depart the Pac-12 for the Big Ten. Not be overshadowed by the large programs, Kennesaw State becomes the 134th FBS member and joins CUSA.
San Diego State gave the Mountain West its official resignation, but that's an ongoing and unresolved battle. Other teams are also rumored to be looking at moving conferences in the near future, namely SMU.
Want to join the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Killer Frogs message board community today!
Follow KillerFrogs on Twitter to stay updated on all the latest TCU news! Follow KillerFrogs on Facebook and Instagram as well. Download the KillerFrogs app on Google Play or the Apple App Store.
