Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12

The Colorado Buffaloes are not done making big moves, as they are in discussion to potentially make a jump to the Big 12.

The Colorado Buffaloes were ready to take a big leap up the standings, as they were able to sign Deion Sanders away from Jackson State to be their new head coach. Then, there was the influx and exit of a plethora of recruits. What else could be on the horizon for Colorado ahead of the first season of the “Deion Sanders era?”

How about a change of conferences?

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Colorado is in discussions about a potential move to the Big 12. The university held a board meeting on Wednesday. Additionally, Thamel says that the Big 12 is holding a presidents meeting on Wednesday night to provide an expansion update.

Shortly thereafter, Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reported that Colorado will, indeed, return to the Big 12 in 2024. The university will formally apply on Thursday when the Big 12 board of directors approve of the move, per McMurphy. An announcement is expected on Thursday.

Colorado previously played in the Big 12 from 1996 until 2010, when they joined the Pac-12.

Colorado reportedly leaving Pac-12 to join Big 12

Thamel notes that the university is holding a “special board meeting,” which is “expected to be required to formalize any conference move.”

Colorado did meet with the Big 12 at a neutral location back in May, per Thamel.

This is a far cry from what Colorado chancellor Phil DiStefano said this past week, stressing that the school is committed to remaining with the Pac-12 and helping the conference secure a media rights deal.

The future of the Pac-12 is in question, as two of their biggest schools have already departed. The USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins filed to leave the Pac-12 and will join the Big 10 in 2024. Now, Colorado is on the move.

But, the Big 12 did lose some schools of their own. The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners programs are going to be joining the SEC in 2024.

It is a bit ironic that Colorado will be opening up their 2023 season, in their first game with Sanders as head coach, against the TCU Horned Frogs, a Big 12 school. Not to mention that the Horned Frogs played in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Georgia Bulldogs in a blowout loss.

Things are looking rather shaky for the Pac-12 now that they are reportedly set to lose Colorado.