College Football Expansion: Big 12 Exploring "Every Possibility"

The Big 12 is looking to take the next step in college football expansion

If there were any questions whether the Big 12 was going to consider kicking off the next phase of college football expansion, commissioner Brett Yormark left no doubt with his latest comments.

Speaking at a news conference this week, Yormark said the Big 12 Conference is "focused" on adding new members in the near future.

Yormark said his priority "has been to explore expansion for all the right reasons."

He added, "It's gotta be additive. It's gotta be accretive. But we are focused on it. We're exploring every and all possibility. 

"I say that while also saying that I love the composition and the makeup of this conference going forward."

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark on expansion:

"We are focused on it. We're exploring every and all possibility." pic.twitter.com/aGTFBWn4Ub

— Zac Carlson (@zaccarlson) March 8, 2023

Big 12 has already expanded

That composition now includes four new members after the Big 12 added BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF starting in the 2023 college football season.

That brings the league's current membership to 14 teams before Texas and Oklahoma depart for the SEC ahead of the 2024 kickoff.

"I love the four new schools that are coming in July [and] the continuing eight," Yormark said.

"I think we're in a great place. But if there's a chance to get better, it's incumbent on me as the commissioner to explore those possibilities. And that's exactly what I'm doing."

Where the Big 12 could go

College football insiders have reported that the Big 12 is focused on four schools for potential expansion.

Those four schools? Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and Arizona State — all currently members of the Pac-12 Conference, itself currently undergoing major change after losing USC and UCLA to the Big Ten and still looking for a media deal.

Oregon and Washington are the two most prominent remaining Pac-12 members and insiders have already revealed that those schools have met with Big Ten officials about potential membership.

More: College Football Expansion: Which Schools Could Move Next?

Stanford has also been mentioned as a candidate for realignment owing to its international prestige, funding, and high-profile athletic department.

The consensus among analysts is that whatever happens with the Pac-12's next media contract will determine whether any more of those schools leave.

More: Former coach thinks Pac-12 could collapse

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