Can Oregon State join Brett Yormark's Big 12 expansion? Looking at the latest conference realignment theories

Oregon State is one of the two schools left in the Pac-12 following the implosion of the conference. The university was left in limbo alongside Washington State after the other 10 members of the Pac-12 departed following the league’s inability to secure a lucrative media deal.

The latest theories are linking the Beavers to the Big 12, joining four former conference rivals in the league. The Big 12 invited Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah last summer and the league is believed to be actively exploring further valuable expansion opportunities.

However, Oregon State doesn’t seem to be the right fit for the Big 12. Brett Yormark and the conference leadership haven't shown any sign of finding any value in the university to deserve being added at this stage.

Previous rejection of Oregon State by the Big 12

The Big 12 had the chance to add Oregon State last summer when it invited the Four Corners Schools. However, the conference turned down the opportunity because it was deemed not valuable enough. The option of the university doesn’t seem to align with the league goals.

The latest phase of the Big 12 expansion was done with Yormark's vision for the league. This vision doesn’t seem to have the Beavers in view.

“Right now we’re done,” Yormark said when questioned on the possibility of expanding further last summer. “We had a vision. We had a strategy and effectively we’ve been able to execute it.

“Initially, I wasn’t sure if we’d go to 14 or 16. I think 16 was kind of a dream scenario, candidly. So from our perspective, our focus now is to integrate the four incoming schools as quickly as we can. Get them comfortable,” he added.

Commitment to rebuild the Pac-12

Oregon State has a strong commitment to rebuilding the Pac-12 and this will obviously block any potential move to the Big 12. The school's Athletic Director, Scott Barnes, made it known following the implosion of the Pac-12 that they wouldn't be leaving the conference.

"For us, our priority, again, is keeping the Pac-12," Barnes said. "We think it’s in the best interest of our student-athletes and our fans to build back the Pac-12. We have inserted ourselves in every conceivable conversation, every feasible conversation at the Power 5 level. And I would say that our best option is rebuilding the Pac-12.”

Ensuring the survival of the Pac-12 and preserving its 108-year history is obviously a brilliant move to make. The conference has a two-year grace period from the NCAA to meet membership requirements and this is quite enough time to get things fixed within the league.