College Football World Reacts to Oregon, Washington’s Decisions to Leave Pac-12

Oregon and Washington’s decision to reportedly move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten on Friday caused a wave of reactions from the college football world. In one move, those two schools appeared to all but end the future of the Pac-12, as it seems that schools in the conference are looking to defect instead of staying together.

Once the news broke, fans and analysts took to social media to express a wide range of emotions, whether it be joking or discussing the current state of the industry. That resulted in a flurry of takes about Oregon and Washington, the Pac-12, the Big Ten and college football in general.

Pac-12: We have a TV deal with Apple!

Oregon, Washington and Arizona:pic.twitter.com/nefWYgrips

— Danny Davis (@_dannydavis) August 4, 2023

I'm old enough to remember when the Big Ten didn't want to be the final death blow to the Pac-12.

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) August 4, 2023

This is a uniformly horrible event for college sports. There is nothing good about it, and it screams out for federal regulation

— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) August 4, 2023

Never underestimate how average the people who run College Football are

— Josh Pate (@LateKickJosh) August 4, 2023

college football will only get dumber, that is the brand guarantee and promise and we delivered

— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) August 4, 2023

The entire allure of college football was that each conference had a distinct regional identity, with its own unique playing style, and all of that has been undone by realignment. https://t.co/BhJy0R3LJk

— John McDermott (@mcdermott) August 4, 2023

Absolutely. Let college football be its own thing, create four 16-team divisions and negotiate a mega TV deal and let logical conferences, based on geography and tradition, remain in all other sports under the NCAA umbrella. https://t.co/0UiYNDSP7C

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) August 4, 2023

There is still a lot for schools to sort out, as others like Arizona and Arizona State could be headed to the Big 12, while California and Stanford are among those remaining in the Pac-12. Still, it is hard not to acknowledge how these defections from the Pac-12 seem to mark a shift in the future of college football.