The recent wave of college conference realignments has left fans and athletic programs reeling, and perhaps no one is feeling the shockwaves more than the BYU Cougars. As the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) made headlines with its bold moves, it has put the Big 12—and particularly BYU—in a precarious position. The shifting sands of college athletics are reshaping the landscape, and the Cougars’ spot in the ever-evolving world of conference realignments is now uncertain. So, what does this mean for BYU, and how will they navigate the changes ahead?
The ACC’s latest decisions, which included luring in new programs with more media exposure and competitive potential, have sent shockwaves throughout college football and basketball. The realignment, once viewed as a stabilizing move for many conferences, has now put the Big 12 in an awkward position. With schools like Florida State and Clemson eyeing better financial packages and prestige, the Big 12 is now scrambling to maintain relevance.
For BYU, the move to the Big 12 in 2023 was seen as a new chapter in the school’s athletic history. After years of independence in football, the Cougars joined a Power Five conference in hopes of securing stability and a more prominent position in the college sports hierarchy. But with the ACC’s reshuffling, this newfound stability is now in jeopardy. The Cougars—who have long prided themselves on their independence—now find themselves facing the realities of a conference war that shows no signs of slowing down.
The most immediate impact of the ACC’s decisions is the shifting landscape of media deals. With the Big 12 on edge and the ACC making moves to protect its financial future, it’s possible that BYU will be left scrambling for a slice of the pie. Conference realignment is as much about money as it is about competitive balance, and the Cougars could find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to media rights and national exposure.
But the Cougars are no strangers to navigating choppy waters. Over the years, BYU has shown resilience, building one of the most successful independent football programs in history. Despite being left out of traditional conference play, they’ve consistently managed to compete at a high level, earning national recognition and respect. But now, the stakes are higher than ever.
The question on every BYU fan’s mind is: where do the Cougars go from here? Could the school seek to align itself with another conference, or could they remain in the Big 12 despite the looming uncertainty? Some speculators argue that BYU could be a prime candidate for future expansion by the PAC-12 or another emerging league. Others suggest that the Cougars could double down on their independent status, as they have in the past, and attempt to continue on their own terms. However, with increased financial pressure and growing competition for national attention, staying independent may not be a sustainable model moving forward.
BYU’s leadership will need to think long-term. The recent conference shifts have added a new level of complexity to an already chaotic landscape. The Cougars now face a choice: align with a larger conference or stick to their roots and try to continue thriving independently. One thing is clear—the coming months will likely be a defining moment in BYU’s athletic future, and how the university reacts could determine its place in the ever-evolving world of college sports.
