Big Ten Conference realignment: 3 biggest expansion storylines fans shouldn't miss ahead of the 2024 season

The Big Ten will be adding four new schools ahead of the 2024 college football season. Following the implosion of the Pac-12, the USC-UCLA-Oregon-Washington quartet makes its way to the conference in August, marking a new era of 18 teams in the league.

With its latest additions, the conference has shown its expansion plan has little to no regard for regional proximity, which used to be the hallmark of college football. The historically East Coast league now has four teams from the West Coast, showcasing a huge disruption.

Considering the unpredictable nature of the conference realignment landscape, quite a lot can still happen. Here's a look at three Big Ten expansion storylines fans can watch out for in 2024.

Three Big Ten expansion storylines to anticipate in 2024

#1, Interest in Florida State and Clemson

Florida State and Clemson are currently locked in a legal battle with the Atlantic Coast Conference in a bid to leave and avoid paying the huge exit fee. With the conference agreement, departing the ACC requires paying $120 million and contesting the grant of rights in court.

The Big Ten is reported to be monitoring the situation as it holds an interest in adding the two schools, which jointly command the biggest television audience in the ACC. It is expected to take active action toward expansion should the two schools emerge victorious in court.

#2, The Chase of Notre Dame

Notre Dame has long cherished its Independent status in college football. The Fighting Irish are one of the two Independent schools left in the FBS, alongside UConn. However, keeping this status is becoming difficult due to the inability to secure a huge media deal with NBC.

The Big Ten has over time looked at the possibility of adding the Irish. The conference already has the school in its unofficial plans with the “Notre Dame clause” in its media deal. The chase is expected to intensify should the school decide to surrender its independent status.

#3, The possibility of Texas A&M

Following the departure of Texas to the SEC, the rumors of its in-state rival Texas A&M leaving the conference have intensified. There's a heated rivalry between the two schools. This played a role in the Aggies leaving the Big 12 in 2012 and history could repeat itself.

College football insider Greg Swaim reports that the Aggies and the Big Ten have been in serious third-party discussions for the past six months. The league is looking to expand its market to the state of Texas and it is expected that it will start to take some action on that later this year.