Oregon, Texas, Arizona State and SMU are making strong impressions in new conferences

The Pac-12 as we knew it may be dead, but its former members are still pushing forward the latest round of conference realignment.

Oregon (Big Ten) and Arizona State (Big 12) are the two biggest winners after leaving the former West Coast Conference, as both advanced to the conference title games in their first year in their new respective conferences. The No. 1 Ducks (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) and No. 13 Sun Devils (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) have translated the success into their new conferences.

Required reading:SEC football is down, but SEC-Big Ten tribalism is pushing into the College Football Playoff

Oregon plays No. 3 Penn State, while Arizona State plays No. 16 Iowa State. However, these aren’t the only two conference newcomers who made it to the title game in their first season.

SEC newcomer No. 2 Texas (11-1, 7-1) faces usual top dog No. 5 Georgia in its championship game, while SMU (11-1, 8-0 ACC) plays No. 17 Clemson in the ACC championship game after moving from the American Conference.

Here’s a closer look at the newcomers in their conferences qualifying for the conference championship game:

Oregon – Big Ten Conference

Former conference: Pac-12
Number of conference championships: 13
Last conference championship: 2020 (Pac-12)

There is no doubt that the program led by Dan Lanning is among the elite. The Ducks are the only 12-0 team in FBS football and are looking for their first-ever 13-0 start. Oregon’s resume is bolstered by a 32-31 win over then-No. 2 Ohio State on October 26th.

Texas-SEC

Former conference: Big 12
Number of conference championships: 29
Last conference championship: 2023 (Big 12)

Texas finished 11-1 in its first season in the new conference after questions arose over how the Steve Sarkisian-led program would fare in college football’s toughest conference. Aside from a loss to Georgia on Oct. 19, the Longhorns have handled the transition well. Now the chance for revenge against the Bulldogs awaits.

Arizona State-Big 12

Former conference: Pac-12
Number of conference championships: 17
Last conference championship: 2010 (Pac-10)

Kenny Dillingham’s program has been one of the most under-the-radar teams in the country this season. The Sun Devils have reversed course from a 3-9 record in 2023 to their first double-digit win season since 2023. Arizona State was picked to finish last in the Big 12 preseason poll.

SMU – ACC

Former conference: American
Number of conference championships: 12
Last conference championship: 2023 (AAC)

The Mustangs have handled the transition from a Group of Five conference to the Power 4 well. SMU went undefeated in ACC play, proving it belongs under third-year coach Rhett Lashlee. With a win, the Mustangs should be in the 12-team College Football Playoff. But they have a chance, even if they lose a close game against the Tigers.

Breaking News

Dellupodisabato

Leave a Reply Cancel reply