Big 12 Football: 5 PAC-12 teams best for conference expansion
1. Arizona State Sun Devils
The second of the two Arizona schools that would bring a certain level of desire for the Big 12 to bring into the fold involves head coach Herm Edwards and the Arizona State Sun Devils. Landing both schools involved in the Territorial Cup would be a big win for the Big 12, especially with geographical relevance.
While Arizona State doesn’t bring as much appeal across the board for their athletic department as their in-state rival Arizona does, they do have a traditionally good football program. Arizona State looks to have a bright immediate future ahead behind rising star sophomore quarterback Jayden Daniels and the veteran head coach Edwards.
Arizona State has made bowl games in eight of their last nine seasons. They are also a program that keeps a consistent recruiting battle going with some programs out of the Big 12. Getting that Arizona recruiting pipeline could mean big things for the Big 12 to finally win over that territory. During the 2020 recruiting cycle, Texas signed Tucson native five-star running back Bijan Robinson, but missed out of Saguaro five-star cornerback Kelee Ringo.
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Moreover, Arizona State is a known party school so it would provide an opportunity for fans to get a part of a very electric atmosphere in Tempe. West Virginia and Arizona State are similar in that regard.
It would be ideal in this conversation for the Big 12 to be able to get their hands on the likes of Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado, if nothing else. That would allow this conference to easily split apart into two divisions with 14 quality football programs.