College football expansion update: Colorado responds to wild Big 12 rumor

Colorado is the latest school to be rumored for a move as college football continues its conference realignment process

Colorado is the latest subject of rumors surrounding the next phase of college football realignment and conference expansion, both as the Pac-12 looks to keep its remaining members and sign a new media deal, and the Big 12 tries to add more teams further west to make up for losing its two biggest brands.

But nothing is anywhere near confirmed just yet, as the Colorado athletic director recently said in response to an independent rumor being circulated about the school.

Reacting to a claim that Colorado was going to vote on leaving the Pac-12 as early as Monday, CU athletics chief Rick George went on the record, saying flatly: "There is absolutely no truth to this tweet."

Colorado AD refutes tweet that Buffs “may vote on leaving Pac-12 as early as Monday” pic.twitter.com/EXvOPtBW19

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) April 13, 2023

While the school clearly isn't ready to make any decisions right now, there have been media reports claiming that Colorado is one of many targets for realignment.

This isn't the first time Colorado has been connected to the Big 12 in particular, after insiders reported the conference had reached out to the school this offseason, in addition to the other "Four Corners" schools: Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State.

And as the dust settles around realignment, there is still the question of whether the Pac-12 could lose members and if the Big 12 will be the league to cash in on those potential departures.

Related: Colorado new school to watch in Big 12 expansion

All eyes are on the Pac-12 to get a new media deal that will pay enough for its members, otherwise some schools could get the idea that their future lies elsewhere.

The Big 12 hasn't been shy about its interest in expanding westward to compensate for its loss of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC.

And the Big Ten, which already has USC and UCLA coming in next season, has been in informal contact with Pac-12 powers Oregon and Washington, according to insiders.

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