Friday, October 23, 2026

Cal, Stanford Reportedly Want To Join Big 12 If ACC Talks Stall

  • A new report suggests Cal and Stanford have explored joining the Big 12.
  • Talks with the ACC have been slowed down by some schools opposed to expansion.
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

The 2023 college football season begins in earnest this week but two of the remaining four Pac-12 teams are putting all their focus on finding a home for 2024.

Stanford and California have been linked to potential ACC expansion, but progress has been slow. Now, the two schools may be thinking about finding a way into the Big 12, too.

According to a recent report in the San Francisco Chronicle, Cal and Stanford have already begun exploring the possibility of joining the Big 12 in the event that joining the ACC doesn’t work out. It is unclear what steps the schools have taken in relation to a potential Big 12 move.

Despite the reported new efforts, the Big 12 may not even be interested in the two universities. The Action Network reported the conference has not had conversations with any of the remaining Pac-12 schools and has no intention in engaging with those schools.

Earlier this month, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yorkmark said the conference was done expanding “right now” and was happy to have 16 teams for the 2024 season.

Taking The Blame

Arizona State — one of four Pac-12 schools joining the Big 12 next year — issued a self-imposed one-year bowl ban amid an NCAA investigation for possible infractions incurred under former head football coach Herm Edwards.

ASU finished 10th in the Pac-12 last season, with a 3-9 overall record. The Sun Devils made three bowl games under Edwards from 2018-21.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Could Soon Let TV Viewers Watch, Hear Instant Replay Reviews

The NFL could follow the ACC, Big 12, and Big Ten’s lead.

College Football’s Emerging Powers Are Shaking Up TV Ratings

BYU–Notre Dame averaged 9.2 million viewers on ABC.
Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/23/26 – JJ Watt Takes CBS Chair, FIFA Rights Shake-Up, Small-Market World Series

0:00

Featured Today

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.
Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby looks on during the spring football game, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Cincinnati’s $1M Sorsby Lawsuit Hangs Over Texas Tech Showdown

One of the biggest offseason storylines returns to the spotlight on Saturday.
Kentucky's Jason Patterson (26) gets by Oklahoma's Owen Heinecke (38) in the second half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Oct., 17, 2026.
First at FOS
October 22, 2026

Inside the First College Sports Super PAC

The PAC launched last month and hasn’t yet reported any donations.
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) looks on before the game between the Sooners and the Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
October 22, 2026

Arch Manning’s Slump Clouds His Draft Stock, Texas’s Investment

Draft analysts now question whether Manning should declare—or transfer.
Sponsored

Blake Griffin’s Plan for Media Domination

The former NBA star is building a second act across media & entertainment.
Oct 11, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley walks the sidelines during the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
October 21, 2026

Maryland Breaks Ice With $10M Mike Locksley Firing

$4.9 million is due to Locksley within 60 days.
October 21, 2026

LSU Won’t Roster Ex-NBA Player As SEC Legal Battle Continues

Louisiana AG Liz Murrill called again for the SEC’s lawsuit to be dismissed.
October 20, 2026

Army-Navy Could Shift Dates to Accommodate 24-Team CFP

The game could take place the Saturday left open without conference championships.
October 18, 2026

Big-Money Upsets Shake Up College Football

Half of the AP Poll top 10 lost in a single day.