Big 12 expansions: 5 biggest takeaways from Brett Yormark's conference realignment moves

As college football 2024 draws ever nearer, Big 12 expansion stands to be one of the season's defining topics. Sixteen-team leagues were not within the realm of college football, but the increasing arms race of the sport is making an impact. The Big 12 seemed to be getting left behind, but a few audacious moves have kept the league relevant.

Here are five takeaways from the Big 12 expansion situation.

5 biggest takeaways from Big 12 expansion

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark made an aggressive series of moves in the league's expansion. (Photo Credit: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

#1, Credit to Yormark for not standing pat

When Texas and Oklahoma announced intentions to bolt the league, the Big 12 could have gone the way of the Pac-12. Without the Longhorns or Sooners, the league lacked heavy hitters like the Big Ten, or even the Atlantic Coast Conference with Clemson or Florida State.

But commissioner Brett Yormark decided to be aggressive. He and the Big 12 did a fair share of work in the elimination of the Pac-12 because taking Utah, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado gutted the league, aside from its other Big Ten defections. Furthermore, Yormark deserves credit for bringing back a former Big 12 member in Colorado.

The other additions, while geographically odd, aren't shatteringly strange, like Washington or UCLA in the Big Ten or Oklahoma in the SEC. Yormark was aggressive, but he was also smart.

#2. While football is huge, these were big moves outside of football circles

While the Big 12 expansion pickups are all solid football programs, there's plenty more going on here. Arizona is a basketball power, and both Arizona and ASU have impressive college baseball traditions. These teams added in the Big 12 expansion weren't just football grabs. They're teams that should help keep the Big 12 competitive across the range of all sports.

#3, Could the new Big 12 be the ground attack conference?

After the Big 12 expansion, it's fair to wonder if the refurbished league will be the ground attack conference. With Texas and Oklahoma gone, the Big 12 returns only one 3,000-yard passer from 2023: Rocco Becht of Iowa State. Shedeur Sanders of Colorado brings in a second passer, and while Cam Rising and Noah Fifita are both capable, neither is a 3,000-yard passer.

But on the ground, the Big 12 returns six 1,000-yard rushers from last season. That includes a pair of 1,500-yard rushers with Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon being probably the top returning running back in college football. Mobile quarterbacks like Jalon Daniels and Avery Johnson dominate the league. Could the Big 12 become the league of ground and pound?

#4, Was Utah a sneaky steal?

What if, when all is said and done, the Big 12 expansion move ends up looking like a heist? Utah has consistently been a sneaky-good program. In the past decade, Utah has had four 10-win seasons. In the last five years of the Pac-12, only Oregon had a better conference record than Utah (by two games).

Utah has plenty of ammunition to make their first Big 12 season a memorable one. Seventh-year QB Cam Rising is lacking only health in his quest to be an All-American. Tight end Brant Kuithe is a standout. USC transfer Dorian Singer should be a star at receiver. If Utah storms into the CFP in 2024, the Big 12 will look even smarter.

#5, Don't sleep on Arizona

While Utah is getting some national respect, Arizona could be the new Big 12 sleeper. How big could Big 12 expansion be if the Wildcats have a CFP-worthy season?

The possibility starts with QB Noah Fifita, who took over the reins early in the season and shined as a freshman. Despite not starting the first four games, Fifita threw for 2,869 yards and 25 touchdowns against just six picks. His best target is Heisman-worthy wideout Tetairoa McMillan. The 6-foot-5 pass catcher snagged 90 passes for 1,402 yards last year.

With that kind of one-two offensive punch, if Arizona can survive its first two conference games on the road at Kansas State and Utah, they could be a surprise team in college football.

Which Big 12 expansion stories will you be watching? Let us hear your thoughts below in our comments section!