Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark had a simple message in the press release released Thursday afternoon confirming reports that former member Colorado was returning after 10-plus years in the Pac-12 – “They’re back.” There was no confirmation of rumors that Yormark typed the two-word sentence while smoking a cigar, and there was no indication that he’d pose for a picture next to the eventual Pac-12 grave, either, but that doesn’t mean he won’t. 

This was all avoidable by the Pac-12, but pride comes before the fall. The Big 12 attempted to merge years ago before being rebuffed. The announced exits of Texas and Oklahoma caused many inside the college football world to believe the Big 12’s days were numbered. Since then, the conference added Cincinnati, Houston, BYU, and Central Florida all while outmaneuvering the Pac-12 to quickly lock in a new media rights deal that eventually led to the reacquisition of Colorado. 

If Yormark and the Big 12 were playing chess, the Pac-12 should request a rematch in checkers. And the pillaging might not be done. The Pac-12 already lost USC and UCLA to the Big 10. Rumors quickly circulated that Oregon and Washington wanted to follow suit. Now down to nine teams in 2024, the Pac-12 must move quickly or risk losing other members. SMU is an obvious choice. 

The Big 12 is home to five in-state schools for the 2023 season. That number drops to four when Texas leaves in 2023. TCU, Texas Tech, Baylor, and Houston remain.