After Colorado, CFB insider names 4 teams that could join Big 12 expansion plans if ACC breaks, as poaching rumors intensify
There have been a lot of rumors swirling around Big 12 expansion throughout the college football offseason. It seems like getting Colorado to Big 12 status is not the only impactful move the conference could make.
College football insider Greg Swaim has tweeted about four programs potentially joining the Big 12 expansion plans if the Atlantic Coast Conference falls apart.
Most who follow conference realignment feel the #ACC is unsustainable as is longterm, but if they breakup, after the #B1G and #SEC take their picks the #Big12 will likely poach #CardNation, #NCState, #Pitt and #VT.
According to Swaim, the ACC is unsustainable in the long term and could break up. He also suggested that NC State, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and Louisville would be great additions to the Big 12 if that were to happen.
It would definitely be a long shot to expect all four programs to join the Big 12, but one or two of them joining seems realistic.
What teams would Big 12 realistically target for expansion?
If we were to go off the four programs Greg Swaim included in his tweet, the most beneficial for the program would likely be the Louisville Cardinals. One reason is that they do not have a huge affiliation with the ACC. 2023 will only be their 10th year in the conference.
The Big 12 could look to get the program under its umbrella, and with its massive $2.3 billion media rights deal, commissioner Brett Yormark could entice them to join. Louisville also has a pretty rich history in its 61 years of having a college football program. They have won eight conference championships and also fit right into the geographical location of the Big 12.
Another program that should be at the top of the list are the Pittsburgh Panthers. They have been an excellent program with a lot of success, as they have five national championships. Pittsburgh is also inside the top 30 in terms of media markets, and getting the Big 12 footprint there could be massive.
Big 12 expansion is something that can happen down the line, as the ACC is not collapsing at the moment. However, with Yormark wanting to make the conference expand both domestically and internationally, expanding to 18 programs and creating a superconference could be their best bet.