3 AAC teams that could be a perfect fit for Big Ten expansion in 2024

The AAC is one of the prominent conferences in the Group of Five. The league boasts a host of brilliant teams that could compete in the Power Five and with the unpredictable conference realignment landscape, its teams can always make their way up the ladder.

In the last couple of years, the AAC has seen a couple of its teams lured out by bigger conferences. The Big 12 added Cincinnati, Houston and UCF in 2023, while SMU recently moved to the ACC. Without a doubt, the conference remains vulnerable in the current realignment landscape.

Here's a look at three teams in the conference that could be a candidate for Big Ten expansion in the next couple of years.

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Three AAC schools that could join the Big Ten

#1. Memphis

After an impressive performance in the 2023 college football season (10-3), Memphis is poised to contend for the ACC championship next season and get a bye to the College Football Playoff. This trajectory of the program can be something attractive to the Big Ten.

Should the Big Ten consider expansion, Memphis comes as a great option due to its location. The conference will be eager to expand its market to the state of Tennessee and compete with but enhance the conference's brand exposure.

#2. South Florida

South Florida has been a struggling program in the AAC in the last couple of years. The arrival of Alex Golesh last season has revitalized the program, leading to higher expectations. This is a trajectory that could interest the Big Ten in an expansion process.

USF is also situated in a market the Big Ten is longing to extend its brand to. Florida is one of the biggest television markets in the United States and this presents the Bull as a top AAC option for the Big Ten. The addition of South Florida is an expansion that enables the Big Ten to compete with the SEC and ACC in the state.

#3. Tulane

After years of relative success, Willie Fritz eventually got things right in his last two seasons at Tulane and made the program. Fritz, who is now the head coach of Houston, left the program on the trajectory of success and this could make them a candidate for Power Five transition.

The Green Waves can obviously be an AAC candidate for a Big Ten if the conference decides to embark on expansion. Aside from bringing in competition, the Big Ten will be able to challenge the SEC’s dominance over the years in the Louisiana market.