As the Pac-12 fights for survival in the wake of USC and UCLA announcing their joint departure for the Big Ten in 2024, merger, acquisition and going-out-of-business talk is all the rage.Arizona State, Arizona, Utah and Colorado are preparing to jump to the Big 12 …Meanwhile, the grandmaster stays quiet, examining the chessboard and plotting its next move.
From here, it appears that Fox has secured the properties it wants: The 14 teams currently in the Big Ten, plus the arrivals from Los Angeles. Maybe the Big 12 gobbles up the Four Corners schools first, then moves on the Pacific Northwest powers in a devastating one-two that buries the Pac-12 … Having grabbed USC and UCLA, the superpower now seems focused on luring Notre Dame. Yes, the Irish would need a partner, but we’ll deal with the role Washington and Oregon might play in that step if/when it becomes necessary.
There’s also strength in numbers — let’s not forget, the Big 12 is a far lesser league without the Longhorns and Sooners.A partnership would not only tether the Big 12 to Washington and Oregon but create a joint operation superior to that of the ACC.Because the resulting 22-team super-conference would span all four time zones, come at an enormous discount and provide all the needed inventory to fill remaining gaps in the ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+ broadcast lineups.
Oregon & Washington are going to bolt the first opportunity they get. It’s time to force their hand and join the Big12