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Which college football teams are moving conferences? Andrew Ball breaks down the full list of programs with new homes in 2024.
In college football's NIL era, it's nearly impossible to track where players, even the stars, are suiting up year to year. Thankfully, it's a little easier to remember which programs are members of which conference.
But several schools are on the move heading into the 2024 season. Television deals are largely responsible for reshaping the landscape of the game.
Some leagues are standing pat but that doesn't mean there aren't changes. The Mid-American Conference didn't see any teams come or go this year but is abandoning divisions in 2024. The number of Independents dropped to three. Notre Dame (football only, they remain in the ACC for other sports), Connecticut, and UMass refuse to be tied down in the new year.
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Big Ten Conference
Who's In? Oregon, UCLA, USC, Washington
Who's Out? Nobody
The biggest beneficiary of conference realignment seems to be the Big Ten (although the argument can be made for the SEC). UCLA and USC jumped at the opportunity to abandon the Pac-12 sinking ship. Oregon and Washington soon followed. Travel will be a nightmare for some West Coast schools. UCLA is playing football games in Hawaii, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey in 2024.
Travel schedules aside, the Big Ten has a media footprint from coast to coast. The West Coast, Midwest, and Northeast are covered. Eighteen teams cover a lot of ground. Is it time for a rebrand? Calling the conference the Big Ten when there are 18 schools isn't confusing at all for the casual college football fan. The same can be said about the Big 12, but we'll get there soon.
Pac-12 Conference
Who's In? Nobody
Who's Out? Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Colorado, Oregon, UCLA, Utah, USC, Stanford, Washington
It's hard to even consider the Pac-12 a conference anymore but the two remaining schools are holding on to that title for dear life. Washington State and Oregon State are glorified members of the Mountain West. The two conferences agreed on a scheduling deal that will see every team from the Mountain West face either Pac-12 squad in 2024.
At least they'll keep their primary rivalry game alive in the new season. The Apple Cup (Washington vs. Washington State) and Oregon vs. Oregon State will happen on September 14th.
Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Who's In? Oklahoma, Texas
Who's Out? Nobody
Nearly twelve years ago, the SEC dipped its toes into the robust Texas media market when Texas A&M dove headfirst into the conference. Commissioner Greg Sankey didn't just want a slice of the pie. He needed the whole thing. So, Sankey poached the two biggest brands of the Big 12, Oklahoma and Texas.
With those additions, the SEC is abandoning divisions. The days of Georgia and Alabama dominating the East and West, respectively, are over. The two teams with the best records come the end of November will meet in Atlanta for the SEC Championship game.
Big 12 Conference
Who's In? Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Utah
Who's Out? Oklahoma, Texas
Reunited, and it feels so good...
The Colorado Buffaloes are back in the Big 12, their conference from 1996 until 2010. Their new friends, the Pac-12, grew up and went their separate ways. The Buffs are bringing the Utes, Sun Devils, and Wildcats with them to the old friend group, and the party continues.
Sixteen teams now compose the Big 12. The big boys, Texas and Oklahoma, are gone. In anticipation, BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and Central Florida came into the fold last year. The Pac-12's demise only strengthened what was once a floundering conference.
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
Who's In? Cal, SMU, Stanford
Who's Out? Nobody
The ACC saw all the other conferences making moves and refused to be left out. While not the class of the Pac-12, Cal and Stanford tap into the California media market. SMU finds their new home in a Power 5 conference.
The ACC will take its 17 teams into a television deal with ESPN. Divisions have been thrown out of the window. Similar to the other major conferences, the top two teams record-wise will match up in the championship game. If there's another conference on the verge of losing members, it's likely the ACC.
American Athletic Conference (AAC)
Who's In? Army
Who's Out? SMU
SMU switched an A for a C and graduated to a Power 5 league. In their place, the AAC nabbed the Army Black Knights from the Independent ranks to be a full member. The conference is constantly in a state of flux, with universities coming and going as full and affiliate members, depending on the sport.
Conference USA
Who's In? Kennesaw State (FCS)
Who's Out? Nobody
An even bigger graduation than SMU's, Kennesaw State is moving from FCS to FBS. They're joining Conference USA in the new season. The University of Delaware will make the same jump in 2025.
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