Paul Finebaum addresses possibility of Big 12 poaching schools from Pac-12

Conference realignment remains a big topic in college athletics, especially considering the Big 12’s newest members this week and that we’re a year out from Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC.

With that in mind, Paul Finebaum believes the Big 12 could be in for even more business. In an appearance on the ‘Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast,’ Finebaum said it’s possible that other Pac-12 teams could consider a jump to the Big 12 considering what they’ve done to make themselves the third most attractive conference and the current outlook of the league out west.

“I think it’s possible. To the Big 12’s credit? This was a league that I wouldn’t have spit on two years ago when Oklahoma and Texas went to the SEC. I mean it looked like they were broke. They had nowhere to turn,” Finebaum said. “Give Brett Yormark credit. I mean he walked in there, really inherited a dumpster fire, and he has turned that into, I think, the third most attractive conference in the country right now behind the big two, the SEC and the Big Ten.

“I think it’s viable. And I think, if you’re Oregon and Washington, you probably do want to go to the Big 12. Of course you do,” Finebaum added. “Now, again, I don’t know what they’re going to be able to do, as you eluded to. But I would want out. I would not want to be part of the Pac-12 anymore because I think their future is bleak.”

In the end, Finebaum believes that it’s going to come down to natural selection. The SEC and Big Ten have forced everyone else’s hands to consider what’s best for them. With the direction that the Pac-12 is going in, Finebaum wouldn’t be shocked to see more programs jump ship at some point.

“We already have an issue in college athletics. The SEC and the Big Ten have just literally left everyone else behind from a television standpoint. So the race is now to be No. 3 (and) the Pac-12 has no shot at that,” said Finebaum. “The ACC is really struggling. So, if you’re a member of the Pac-12, I mean you literally are going to the dollar store looking for other schools.

“Why would you want to be in that league if you could get out?,” Finebaum asked.

USC and UCLA are already headed out east to the Big Ten. That has left the Pac-12 scrambling amidst their television negotiations, including interesting recent flirtations with San Diego State.

Even so, Finebaum doesn’t see the point considering he views the league as a sinking ship. At that point, though, their loss could become the Big 12’s gain as the arms race in the realignment war continues on.