Kirk Herbstreit: College football heading toward three power conference
Two major dominoes have fallen in college football realignment, with more seemingly on the way. Both the Big Ten and SEC have taken steps to make sure their conferences are at the top as the sport continues to evolve. Texas, Oklahoma, UCLA, and USC will be heading to their respective conference with the 2025 season being the latest addition.
For ESPN college football Kirk Herbstreit, he does not believe the Big Ten and SEC will be the only other power conferences that emerge. However, before discussing there, he talked about how the Big Ten is more than likely not done adding teams. Herbstreit thinks Notre Dame is a viable option but from there, somebody else will have to join in order to balance numbers.
“The more I listen, the more I talk to people, I wouldn’t be surprised if we settled ultimately on three power conferences,” Herbstreit said. “Those teams that are left out of joining the Big Ten. I don’t know what’s going to happen to Notre Dame. For argument’s sake, if they eventually give in and go to the Big Ten, that would put the Big Ten at 17. You know the Big Ten is going to go get one more or two more. So that will change things up drastically.”
Three super conferences are on the way, according to Herbstreit. He said whenever the “dust settles” from the Big Ten and SEC finishing off their additions, whoever is left will create their own 20-ish team conference. Of course, the College Football Playoff will be at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
“But whoever is left when the dust settles,” said Herbstreit. “They don’t get into the SEC, they don’t go into the Big Ten. I think there’s a good chance we’re going to end up with three power conferences with right around 20 teams. And what I want to know, is what would happen to the teams that are left out of those 55 to 60 teams? Ultimately, they’ll be in this new world that we’re heading toward where the College Football Playoff is dictating it.”
Barring who gets eaten up by the Big Ten or SEC, some big names could be out there to form the third power conference. Oregon and Washington have both appeared in College Football Playoffs, while Oklahoma State was inches away from one this past season.
Some other teams will be on the outside looking as well, with the three power conferences most likely ruling college football.