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    Report: Big Ten 'May Not Stop' at USC, UCLA Additions; Big 12 Linked to Arizona, More

    Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJune 30, 2022

    The Big Ten Logo decorates a first down chain during an NCAA college football game between Penn State and Iowa in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
    AP Photo/Barry Reeger

    USC and UCLA are reportedly planning to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten as early as 2024, per Jon Wilner of the Mercury News. However, the Big Ten may not be done expanding.

    A source told Brett McMurphy of the Action Network that the Big Ten may not settle at 16 teams after adding UCLA and USC.

    In addition, the Big 12 could add Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado alongside the quartet of recently announced members (BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF) to get to 16 teams as well, per McMurphy.

    The Big 12 currently has 10 teams, but Oklahoma and Texas are set to leave for the SEC in July 2025.

    Everything is leading toward a superconference era, with The Athletic's Nicole Auerbach, ESPN's Adam Rittenberg and Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated noting what could happen next:

    Nicole Auerbach @NicoleAuerbach

    Just got off the phone with someone who believes this eventually leads to two megaconferences — the Big Ten and SEC — with 20 or more members apiece.

    Adam Rittenberg @ESPNRittenberg

    As the superconference era is essentially upon us, the attention will turn to those schools not part of the SEC or B1G, including Notre Dame. Power 5 coach just now: “They’re going to have to go somewhere.”

    Report: Big Ten 'May Not Stop' at USC, UCLA Additions; Big 12 Linked to Arizona, More
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    Ross Dellenger @RossDellenger

    Conferences outside the B1G &amp; SEC with member teams that are attractive - hi rev, athletic success, big markets - should be worried those teams will leave for the new Power 2.<br><br>Would imagine that includes more Pac-12 teams such as Oregon, and ACC teams such as Clemson, FSU &amp; UNC.

    The Big Ten and SEC appear to be the top superpowers as of now, with the Big 12 potentially adding a new chunk of teams as well. The big loser here is obviously the Pac-12, which will lose two of its premier names.

    Ultimately, the reported USC and UCLA moves are big dominoes that would have ripple effects throughout college football, and now a race to join the new superconferences appears imminent.