JD PicKell explains why Washington could make sense as the Big 12 looks to expand

There is still a good chance for more conference realignment in the near future, and On3’s JD PicKell thinks that the Washington Huskies could be a candidate to be on the move.

In particular, PicKell thinks that Washington would make sense if the Big 12 is looking to expand once again.

“Another school I’m looking at, staying in the PAC-12, how about the Washington Huskies?” PicKell said. “The Seattle TV market could be lucrative for the Big 12. They have a solid national brand.”

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“And I’m doing the same thought process with Oregon as I am with Washington. Washington is going to carry more than their fair share in that conference. That’s not to knock the other schools but Washington is one of the breadwinners with USC and UCLA leaving.”

With Texas and Oklahoma deciding to move to the SEC, another round of conference realignment kicked into high gear. The Big Ten added USC and UCLA shortly after in an attempt to match the SEC, creating two super conferences. This forced the Big 12 and PAC-12 to scramble, with both conferences negotiating new media deals. The Big 12 also added UCF, Cincinnati, Houston, and BYU.

Now, there are rumors about teams moving to the PAC-12. Meanwhile, the Big 12 seems like it could be interested in adding more teams beyond the four that it already has, with commissioner Brett Yormark saying the conference will “aggressively pursue,” further expansion. Washington is a team that comes up with some regularity.

“Again, everyone here is acting in their own self-interest. It’s like the game of musical chairs in the super conference era. The music is now playing. We’re all walking around these chairs. We’re all trying to figure out what the best landing spot for us is now. When that music stops, you better have a good chair. You better have a spot that you’re comfortable sitting in for the foreseeable future,” PicKell explained.

“So, it’s either act now or get left behind. I think for Washington acting now or relatively now, I suppose, and becoming a Big 12 conference member would make sense to me.”

Does Oregon make sense for the Big 12?

Along with Washington, JD PicKell also thinks that Oregon would make sense for the Big 12, as it looks to keep pace with the SEC and Big Ten.

“One of the prime spots that I’m looking at, one of the prime schools I’m looking at right away if I’m Brett Yormark, how about Oregon? Nike branding, national branding, a lot of excitement around that program, a lot of excitement around that school. The dollars and cents of it makes sense to me for the Big 12,” PicKell said.

“There’s no question that Oregon has established itself as one of the most recognizable college programs in the country across all sports. And with the PAC-12 conference getting thinner in the near future, it could be time for the Ducks to establish themselves as the premier school on the west coast or jump ship to another conference.”