Gonzaga Bulldogs: Football realignment is great for Zags
Scenario 3: Washington joins the Big 12
Well, now we’re talking about something. If Washington makes that move, the Big 12 wins the battle and adds not only the four corner schools but also Oregon. It’s unlikely Stanford and Cal will join a conference that has BYU, Baylor, and Texas Christian.
The Big 12 is already the best basketball conference in the country, with Kansas, Baylor, West Virginia, Texas Tech, and TCU. Adding Arizona and Oregon ends any dispute. To put themselves completely over the top, they also invite the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
With geographic rivals to face, GU isn’t out on an island by themselves. It would also be fantastic to see the Gonzaga-BYU rivalry continue but now situated within a new environment. Additionally, the Zags have played several Big 12 schools in recent years, and Few has a good relationship with many of their coaches.
In all these scenarios, the Gonzaga Bulldogs take a step up in the quality of their opponents. But, unfortunately, one big move is off the table.
No Pac-12
A heads up for anyone who still hopes for Gonzaga joining the Pac-12. As much as Zags fans want it to happen, it’s not a realistic option.
I asked conference insider Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News about the odds of GU joining the Pac-12 as a non-football member. His reply was, “I would say, probably, zero. The Pac-12 doesn’t want parochial schools.”
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Do you think football conference realignment will lead to a Gonzaga Bulldogs move? Let us know in the comments section below.