When does UCLA join Big Ten? Exploring Bruins' transition amid latest conference realignment
The conference realignment is getting ready to officially be set into place and the UCLA Bruins are one of the more significant teams in a new conference, joining the Big Ten after spending many years with the Pac-12 Conference. The excitement is being felt around college athletics as there are even websites dedicated to the countdown of when the Bruins officially enter the Big Ten.
But when exactly does that happen? Let's take a look at the details surrounding their official move to the new conference.
When does UCLA join the Big Ten?
The UCLA Bruins are one of the four teams (USC Trojans, Washington Huskies and Oregon Ducks) that are making the move to the Big Ten Conference. However, the move only becomes official on Aug. 2, 2024.
The UCLA Bruins will be competing in the Big Ten Conference in the fall sports for the 2024 season, including college football. This gives the conference a considerable advantage in terms of having multiple time zones covered. That means games can go on throughout the day in the Big Ten and create exciting matchups that were not possible on a weekly basis.
What should people expect from the UCLA Bruins in their first year in the Big Ten?
The UCLA Bruins in college football made a big splash as they hired DeShaun Foster as head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. The team did well last season but was not great as they finished 8-5 (4-5 in Pac-12) with a victory over the Boise State Broncos in the LA Bowl.
While it would be a very interesting sight to see the UCLA Bruins at the top of the Big Ten Conference, they should be able to play out a similar record in their first season in their new conference. With a better coaching staff, they should be able to stay in games in a tougher overall conference.