Big 12 expansion news: What colleges are heading to the Big 12? Latest college football realignment updates

Big 12 expansion is one of the most followed developments in college sports. As part of the larger conference realignment moves, its importance to fans and stakeholders alike cannot be overstated.

It was confirmed that Texas and Oklahoma would be leaving the Big 12 to compete in the SEC come 2024. Since then, it's become imperative for the conference to attract new members.

The Big 12 reacted to Texas and Oklahoma's exit with the addition of four new members. The Big 12 added UCF, Houston, Cincinnati, and BYU to the mix. For those keeping count, yes, that makes 14 teams in the Big 12 conference. The Big 12 prioritized UCF due to their geographic location, and the conference's desire to recruit in SEC territory.

Adding these four teams won't make up for losing Texas and Oklahoma, but it does take some of the sting away. However, the conference isn't quite done yet and is considering adding two more members to its present tally. Names of likely candidates for the expansion have been emerging, and an official announcement may be in the works.

Big 12 expansion rumors: Colorado to the Big 12 starts gaining traction in the football World

and Arizona are the two prime candidates expected to feature in the Big 12 expansion. The two schools being in the Western US will be an opportunity for the Big 12 to establish a presence in the west. Beyond that, however, Colorado and Arizona are heavyweights in football and basketball.

Colorado Football Spring Game

Colorado brings the cache' of Head Coach Deion Sanders to the table. The Hall-of-Fame CB has already had a significant impact on the Buffaloes. Colorado will be a major draw for college football fans. Although their move to the Big 12 isn't official, it has all but been confirmed from a variety of outets.

Top schools linked to the Big 12 expansion plans

Other schools that have been mentioned in connection with the Big 12 expansion include UConn, Gonzaga, San Diego State, and Memphis. All of the teams are big in their own right, but none has the prestige and commercial value. Secondly, their locations do not open up new areas of influence for the conference.

Whichever direction the Big 12 is moving, an official statement about its planned expansion is yet to be made. The favorites are Colorado and Arizona, but the odds are not entirely in favor of this happening.

Most would still rate the Big 12 as a major conference. But it has had to compete with the dominance of the SEC and the Big Ten. Expanding to accommodate more teams, especially important ones like Arizona and Colorado, will put it back on par with the SEC and the Big 10.

Any team that joins the Big 12 might have to wait until at least 2024 before they are able to compete in the conference. No doubt, Brett Yormark has agrresive plans to include more programs and in the near future fans will get to know more on this drama.

Ultimately, the constant realignments in college sports has affected most conferences, and the Big 12 is no exception. They have been doing a decent job of bouncing back, and they seem to still have a lot up their sleeve.