Oregon Ducks Move from Pac 12 to Big 10

On Aug. 4, the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors made a unanimous decision to add the University of Oregon and the University of Washington to the Big Ten conference starting Aug. 2, 2024. 

With four expansions since 2010, the Big Ten is set to be the largest athletic conference, with 18 teams spreading coast to coast.

Once Oregon and Washington made the decision to leave the Pac-12, Arizona State and Utah made the jump to a competing conference, as well, joining the Big 12. The Big 12 will also be a sizable conference, with 16 teams from across the country.

Meanwhile, the Pac-12, with a long history of championships and roots that date back more than a century, is trying to stay afloat with their two remaining teams – Oregon State and Washington State, though the conference was unable to land a TV deal agreement that matched their competitors. West Coast collegiate football does not get as much viewership as other parts of the country, and this was a main reason for teams making the move. 

With the 2023-24 season already underway, the Pac-12 is looking to compete in their most exciting year. The irony is that such a year could also be the conference’s last.

Article by Alex Doig