Conference Realignment: Poaching the Pac 12 - A Wish List
With the news of Colorado jumping and moving to the Big 12 and other schools potentially joining them, it could be Christmas in July. The question becomes, how many members does the conference take on? 14? 16? 20? We don't know what's going on in Brett Yormark's head, but we do know more will be added. None of these schools are rumored to be joining as of now, and this is nothing more than a Wish List, but a man can dream, right?
The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall
Oregon
Of course, it's Oregon. Who wouldn't want Oregon in their conference? Their athletic revenue in 2022 was $153.56 million, which would make them number one in the new Big 12. Not to mention their state-of-the-art facilities supported by Phil Knight, their sports are all respectfully competitive with no basement dwellers. Just think about the uniform matchups of Oregon's white and neon green jerseys lined up against TCU's blood-red jersey alternates.
Arizona
Now I know Arizona football hasn't been great in recent memory, but excluding the 2020 season, Arizona has a .564 winning percentage in football, which, compared to TCU's .609 winning percentage, doesn't seem that different on paper.
Arizona's appeal comes from the fact that TCU and Arizona have seemed to become postseason "rivals" in a sense, especially in basketball. Arizona has an 18-10-1 record against TCU, with the most recent contests being in the March Madness tournament. Arizona also helps us corner a market of the country that we haven't tapped into yet; the culture fits the other schools in the conference, and overall, a competitive school in all the major men's and women's sports.
Utah
Who could forget the 2005-2010 series of games between Utah and TCU? Both teams were powerhouses of the Group of 5, whose matchup every year essentially decided a possible BCS bowl berth. In addition, who doesn't want the Holy War guaranteed to happen every year? BYU versus Utah with a chance at the winner keeping their hopes alive for a Big 12 championship? Sign me up. Regionally, they make sense, too, we already have BYU and West Virginia, so if the conference goes to pods, they pair up. Utah could potentially have a protected "outside the pod" matchup with TCU every year.
I Wouldn't Hate Them Joining, but Not my First Choice
Washington
Great program, but overall the rest of their sports do not appeal to me. Men's and women's basketball and baseball aren't amazing. They have a great softball program that would be the team to beat if they joined. Nothing pops off the page that says, "yea, I want them."
Little Brothers as Plus Ones
Much like TCU, Oregon and Arizona have in-state little brothers who would want to tag along, and why wouldn't they? If both bring their little brothers, we are at an odd number which can create headaches for pod creation and scheduling. With that said, if I had to pick between the two "little brothers," give me Oregon State.
This may be a controversial opinion, but they are a program on the rise - football is rising, a solid baseball program, an amazing women's volleyball team, and a respectable women's basketball program. So, why wouldn't we want them? Not to mention the rivalry game between Oregon and Oregon State is way more interesting and entertaining than Arizona versus Arizona State; I mean, when your rivalry game is called "The Civil War," it's already more intriguing than "The Duel in The Desert." Plus, it allows us to finally decide who is the real OSU.
Are any of these gonna happen? Maybe, maybe not; only time will tell. However, unless it's one of the three mentioned in my first section, then they don't move the needle for me in the slightest bit. Other choices are obtainable, but none are as flashy or, in my opinion, make a bigger splash than Oregon, Arizona, and Utah.
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