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Big Ten Officials Say There’s a ‘Great Deal to Like’ About This Big 12 Team For Expansion

Originally posted on Heartland College Sports
By HCS News Desk | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 4:26 PM ET

While all is quiet on the conference realignment front, we all know that conferences are constantly keeping their options open looking at what might be next.

And according to a new report from long-time sports media executive and seven-time Emmy winner Jim Williams, Big Ten officials say there’s a great deal to like about the Utah Utes, who would also be a “good fit”. However, they are not a look, and “at this point no one is a lock”.

Here’s Williams’ report from X on Easter Sunday.

Post happy Easter to all! This week spoke to three @bigten officials who are part of the vetting team who look into possible new members. To sum up what they told me… There's a great deal to like about @Utah_Football and we feel they would be a good fit. But they are a lock. We…
— Jim Williams (@JWMediaDC) April 20, 2025

There is a percentage of Utah fans who have wanted out of the Big 12 Conference since before they even joined the league from the Pac-12. However, as has been noted on our Heartland College Sports free forums and elsewhere (sign up here!), many Utah fans have confirmed that this is just largely a loud minority of the fan base who will never embrace their new league.

Recently, a Utah fan went viral on social media for suggesting the Utes are weeks away from a Big Ten invite. But others confirmed this fan was largely a troll looking for attention.

For Utah, the first order of business for any potentially expansion is making sure the football program bounces back after going 2-7 in league play in their first season in the Big 12. This came in a season when the Utes were the preseason favorite to win the conference.

But, don’t expect anything to happen any time soon.

This article first appeared on Heartland College Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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