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The Big Ten is reportedly in a holding pattern as it waits to see if Notre Dame intends to join the conference.
According to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports, Big Ten officials have told Oregon and Washington the conference is “standing pat for now” as it awaits Notre Dame’s decision.
On Thursday, USC and UCLA officials notified ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Heather Dinich that their respective applications to move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten had been accepted and that they would begin Big Ten play in 2024.
In the wake of the decisions by USC and UCLA, the Pac-12 released the following statement, noting that it intends to explore expansion options:
With the departure of USC and UCLA putting the Pac-12 in dire straits, it has been speculated that other top Pac-12 programs such as Oregon, Washington and Utah might consider leaving as well.
Given the Big Ten’s expansion into a superconference rivaling the SEC, speculation has ramped up regarding Notre Dame moving to the Big Ten as well.