Paul Finebaum believes college football has become a mess since the ACC and Pac-12 announced an alliance of 41 member schools. (0:49).
According to the Pac-12, expansion is not a priority at this time. This statement was made by the conference on Thursday. It ends speculation that the 12-team league may try to add any of its eight remaining schools to the Big 12 after the eventual departure of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC.
This unanimous decision was made just days after the Pac-12 and Big Ten announced an alliance to "stabilize a volatile climate" in college athletics. They collaborated on important issues facing the industry, and agreed to form a future scheduling partnership.
Although the Pac-12's decision is a positive for the Big 12, it also increases the conference's chances of adding more teams and staying viable. However, the fact remains that the Big 12 will need to add schools from the group of 5 conferences to make the conference whole again after Texas and OU go.
"Stability was important for us," Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff stated to ESPN on Thursday. "We believe that instability and vibration in college athletics are not good for the sector. This is why No. It's why, No. 2. Why we did it so quickly.
"Remember that it was only five weeks ago when the Oklahoma and Texas news broke. We were concerned about stability and we worked quickly. This announcement, together with the acknowledgment [Tuesday] by both Jim [Phillips] & Kevin [Warren] of their happiness with their current membership, adds stability to the system."
ESPN was told by sources in the Pac-12 that they had an expansion group consisting of athletic directors, presidents, and chancellors. They looked at the criteria and benefits of full membership and considered adding schools in football and men's or women's basketball.
The group saw an opportunity to expand their geographic footprint, recruit players in their territory, and gain exposure for schools in new time zones, while ESPN sources said that they were not satisfied with what had been accomplished.
The Pac-12 hopes that the partnership with the ACC or Big Ten will allow them to play across time zones and form new rivalries, all while not having to share the revenue.
Kliavkoff stated that "we looked at each other among 12 and recommitted ourselves to what we're currently doing, and we really are happy where we're at," and "and we believe we can thrive."
Kliavkoff stated that Greg Sankey, the SEC commissioner, explained to Kliavkoff how Oklahoma and Texas approached him about becoming members.
Kliavkoff stated that Greg has explained how it happened and that he believes him. I agree with Kliavkoff's statement that if Texas or Oklahoma had called any of the other Power 5 conferences they would have made the call and acted in the same manner as he did.
Although the Pac-12's decision is intended to stabilize realignment, the future of Big 12 remains uncertain.
The overall landscape would be stable if the Big 12 can attract valuable programs, most likely from American Athletic Conference, and remains a Power 5 entity.
The AAC could be able to win the argument and convince Big 12 schools to join the Power 5 league. This could cause another earthquake that could force the Pac-12 to reconsider its position.
Stability is the primary goal for now.
Kliavkoff stated, "The faster the stability, the greater."
