![]() Even Washington-Penn State, which seems exciting on paper, will not draw the same fervent passion as the annual Apple Cup and the geographic rivalry that those two schools have built. ![]() Instead we will get matchups like Oregon-Maryland and Oregon-Rutgers, who have never played each other in program history. Although both schools have indicated they intend to keep state rivalries intact, the loss of Oregon-Oregon State and Washington-Washington State on the conference schedule, matchups that have faced off 126 and 114 times, respectively, is a major blow. Traditional rivalries also become a casualty of the new conference structure. In a few years, it’s possible that nobody will care about regional identities as they continue to tune into exciting Oregon-Michigan matchups, but for diehard college football plans, this loss is notable. The Big Ten was run-first, physical and gritty while the Big 12 featured high-flying offenses and exorbitant point totals. One of the biggest draws to college football was how each conference and each region had it’s own distinct style of play. The Big Ten covers coast to coast, the new Big 12 stretches from Orlando to Salt Lake City, and rumors of Cal and Stanford joining the ACC would destroy the “Atlantic Coast” element of the “Atlantic Coast Conference.” Ultimately, this move is not the “death of college sports” like some pundits claim, but the situation is complex and, unsurprisingly, motivated by money.įor starters, the days of conferences being regional entities are gone. ![]() The announcement rattled the college sports landscape like a West Coast earthquake, and with a few dominoes still left to fall, it remains to be seen just how widespread the ramifications will be. After the additions of USC and UCLA, the conference now stands at 18 programs and is a true national grouping, spanning from Seattle and Los Angeles to Piscataway and College Park. The Big Ten's history of athletic and academic success and long-term stability best positions our teams for future success, and we are energized at the opportunity to compete at the highest level against some of the best programs in the country."įinancial terms of the transition were not immediately announced.After the departure of Utah, Arizona and Arizona State to the Big 12, it was announced on Friday that Washington and Oregon would be joining the Big Ten. "At the same time, the college athletics landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. "We have tremendous respect and gratitude for the Pac-12, its treasured history and traditions," said Jen Cohen, the UW's director of athletics. With admission to the Big Ten, the UW also joins the Big Ten Academic Alliance, a consortium of world-class research institutions dedicated to advancing their academic missions. USC and UCLA announced their departures for the Big Ten in 2022, and the University of Colorado announced last month that it would leave the Pac-12 for the Big 12 Conference. The UW was one of the four founding members of what started in December 1915 as the Pacific Coast Conference, which eventually grew to become the Pac-12. "Even with this move, we remain committed to the Apple Cup and to competing with WSU across all of our sports." Ultimately, however, the opportunities and stability offered by the Big Ten are unmatched," Cauce said. I have tremendous admiration and respect for my Pac-12 colleagues. "We are proud of our rich history with the Pac-12 and for more than a year have worked hard to find a viable path that would keep it together. The UW is committed to preserving the rich tradition of the Apple Cup rivalry with Washington State University in all sports, including football. "My top priority must be to do what is best for our student-athletes and our University, and this move will help ensure a strong future for our athletics program." "The Big Ten is a thriving conference with strong athletic and academic traditions, and we are excited and confident about competing at the highest level on a national stage," Cauce said. SEATTLE – The University of Washington will join the Big Ten Conference, leaving the Pac-12 Conference, effective in August 2024, UW President Ana Mari Cauce announced Friday.
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