The Nebraska football team will play in a 16-team Big Ten next season unless it ends up being a 20-team league with more Pac-12 additions.
Just a week ago, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti talked about how he had no plans to add any more teams to the conference after USC and UCLA. Now it looks like something rather drastic would have to happen for the Nebraska football team not to be playing in a 20-team league by the end of 2025 at least.
Over the last two days, there’s been a lot of talk about the disaster that is the Pac-12. The departure of Colorado started a fall of dominos that doesn’t seem ready to stop anytime soon. The latest reports have Utah, Arizona and Arizona state ready to follow the Buffs out the door.
In fact, those three schools are said to most likely be following the Buffs all the way to the Big 12. If that happens, it seems almost certain that the Pac-12 would fold. And if the conference folds, or nears folding it stands to reason that the Big Ten would add some teams of its own.
Rumors have been flying fast and furiously for a while now that Oregon and Washington would join Nebraska football and former Pac-12 rivals USC and UCLA in the B1G. That would push the conference to 18.
Dan Wetzel reported on Wednesday that California and Stanford might also come on over. In fact, according to Wetzel, it’s not a situation of might. The talks have officially started. With the speed at which things have moved this summer, it doesn’t seem like the process would take all that long.
Nebraska football in the Big 20?
Considering that Colorado will be in the Big 12 by next July, it doesn’t seem outlandish to think that if the Pac-12 collapses, everyone would be free to find a new home for next season.
If Cal and Stanford don’t sound like appealing rivals for Nebraska football, what about Clemson and Florida State. While it doesn’t seem as likely, there are at least whispers of the ACC also nearing its end.
At the very least, it appears those in charge of the Seminoles’ athletic department believe their departure from the ACC is a done deal.
https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1686828556142157825
For the moment, Nebraska football faithful can only sit and wait and wonder. But at least we have all the good news of Fall Camp to keep us occupied, right?