Big Ten could target few remaining blue-chip programs in Pac-12

With the additions of USC and UCLA in 2024, the Big Ten will have a 16-team conference.

It won't be yet considered a "super conference," but with the Big 12 seemingly always looking to expand and the SEC adding Texas and Oklahoma in 2024 and boasting easily the best conference from a college football standpoint, it would make sense for the Big Ten to continue looking at growth.

As such, it's being reported by Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports that the conference has been having "preliminary conversations" surrounding further expansion. 

With USC and UCLA bringing the Big Ten to the shores of the West Coast, it does make sense to target the ever-diminishing Pac-12 and it does sound like the conference does have its eyes on a few of the Pac-12's remaining members.

If the conference decides to go from 16 teams to 20, all of Oregon, Washington, California and Stanford could be in play.

"It is Oregon and Washington that are the primary focus should the Big Ten choose to expand by two programs and become an 18-team conference," Dodd wrote.

Oregon and Washington would make sense for the Big Ten geographically. The conference will have a huge presence in southern California and by adding the Ducks and Huskies, the Big Ten would gain a hold in the Pacific Northwest. There are also the Seattle and Portland television markets to consider, as well as Oregon's connection to Nike.

Cal and Stanford would be nice additions to the Big Ten academic-wise and that's always going to be a major draw for the conference.

Either way, the Big Ten seems to be sitting pretty whatever it decides. The same can't be said for the Pac-12, unfortunately.