News just broke that four of the best programs not only in the Pac-12, maybe in the country have a new conference to call home, the BIG10. This move shakes up the collegiate level of sports to its core, starting with the fans.
What does this mean for rivalries and travel; honestly how can this possibly work? Both conferences will look and feel a bit different starting in 2024.
With the BIG10 all of a sudden feeling like an apple store on black Friday. While the Pac-12 is feeling more like an abandoned ship floating, waiting to eventually sink.
Also, what does this really mean moving forward in wake of Texas and Oklahoma moving to the SEC from the Big-12 at the same time. Money!
BIG10 Starting Something Horrific
USC and UCLA are two of the most recognizable logos and universities in the world. A majority of the reason the Pac-12 is called the ‘Conference of Champions’.
“I mean it just doesn’t sound right having a California school in the BIG10, let alone having two. Will the Pac-12 fall apart in the wake of being gutted like this, maybe they should call the Big-12 and join forces to create the Big-Pac!” – (I wrote this paragraph and most of this article on July 1st, 2022 and never published it. In the wake of what happened I decided to revise it and give it to the world, however I could not take this crazy prediction out that came true).
No, seriously I have no idea how this will look moving forward however I do understand money, power, and TV deals have a lot to do with it, like that’s surprising.
College Rivals are Dead as We Know and Love it
Conferences were built in part of convenient travel. Which also created true rivalries with schools just four to six hours away drive time. Allowing fans and family to travel for road games and bring that true electric energy that only 10,000-60,000 college kids can bring.
It is weird to envision two southern California schools traveling all the way to New Jersey and Michigan on a regular basis. I guarantee fans and students will not find it pleasing that road trips to road games are no longer an option unless you plan on taking a sabbatical.
Will the two new teams even be treated as equals?
Let’s look at both major sports; both of which is completely different to the landscape of the conference. Football for instance, USC and UCLA will make the conference stronger and better for the most part. It hasn’t been deeper than Ohio state and Michigan for at least the last decade.
I think I like it from that perspective, 4 teams every year that can compete. No more “you are only good because your conference stinks” talk. However I wonder how those road games in the freezing mid west will be for the all year round beach goers from California?
College Hoops Side
Now the basketball side things are a lot different, every year the BIG10 puts 7+ teams into the tournament. Now you have four teams from the Pac-12 that usually make the tournament added.
A BIG10 conference that is already tough top to bottom adding more bullies and brawlers to join the fight. Will they fit in with the punch and punch back style of basketball played between BIG10 schools. Schools that have hated each other for decades.
I just cannot see a time when Michigan state/UCLA will ever be a rivalry like literally every other BIG10 matchup is. However, time does tell all; and hey, you never know what will transpire over the next 15-30 years.
As of now I will have to look forward to witnessing history. For this is a truly historic move, for better or for worse.
Rowan Donaghey is a Sports and Betting insider, and breaking news reporter for Stare Down Sports. You can follow him on twitter via @RowanDonaghey
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