Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images/Getty Images
With Colorado leaving the Pac-12 to return to the Big 12, it seems likely that at least one more Pac-12 team will try to get off the seemingly sinking ship.
According to Pat Forde and Richard Johnson of Sports Illustrated, the Big 12 is eyeing Arizona as another Pac-12 team to potentially join Colorado in the near future. Per the report, the Wildcats are seen as the most likely Pac-12 team to jump ship between Arizona, Arizona State and Utah.
The Big 12 reportedly recognizes that it is now in a race against the clock with the Pac-12 as Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff prepares for a full media-rights package presentation.
“There are competing timelines for the Pac-12 members and their Big 12 suitors, which adds a layer of tension. Arizona, Arizona State and Utah are waiting for a full media-rights package to be presented to them by commissioner George Kliavkoff, which has been a long time coming. Those schools will also be interested in hearing what Kliavkoff’s plan is for replacing Colorado. Meanwhile, the Big 12 is ready to put its expansion targets ‘on the clock’ toward a fast decision, sources say, in order to expedite realignment for next year,” Forde and Johnson wrote.
Sources: Big 12 looking to move quickly to get to 14 for the 2024 season, with eyes on Arizona/Pac-12 and UConn. With @RJ_cfb https://t.co/zuFOyCmOVG
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) July 28, 2023
With 13 schools now on board for the 2024 season, the Big 12 is believed to want an even 14 or 16 and will recruit either one or three more schools between now and then.
Arizona have not won a conference title since 1993 and have only one appearance in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Would Arizona be a good fit for the Big 12?