What is the state of college football realignment for the 2024 season?
The sweeping changes in NCAA football in 2024 have completely transformed Division I college football as a whole. The Pac 12 has been decimated and the Power 5 has been reduced to Power 4. The reordering has further given rise to the ever-powerful SEC as one of the now two recognized super conferences, along with the Big 10. Its slate now represents the most powerful force of collective talent in the newly configured sport of collegiate football. There are also noteworthy alterations to the Big 12 and the ACC. All together, a staggering 15 teams have switched conferences this year.
So, why this frenzy of schools jumping from one to another throughout the league? And, what does all this change mean to schools that have dominated their respective conferences, like Oregon in the Pac 12? How might that team perform going forward against tougher competitors in the Big Ten? How will the star status of Oklahoma and Texas and others be affected by their moves to more competitive conferences?
Tracking the 2024 Conference Realignment
Which college teams changed conferences this year?
So, unquestionably, this year college football is undergoing dramatic reshaping. Featured in the dizzying number of alterations is a now 12-team playoff instead of the former 4-team postseason bracket. It's a lot to grasp. To help fans trace all the big moves in 2024, here’s a comprehensive overview of schools that have switched conferences as part of the vast reorganization of NCAA conferences. Note the comparisons with 2023 provided for perspective.
ACC
The restructured 2024 ACC includes 17 schools, with the additions of SMU, Cal, and Stanford.
2023 ACC Football Teams: Duke University, Clemson, Boston College, University of Louisville, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Miami University, University of Pittsburgh, Syracuse University, Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, Wake Forest, University of North Carolina, and NC State.
2024 ACC Football Teams: Duke University, Clemson, Boston College, University of Louisville, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Miami University, University of Pittsburgh, Syracuse University, Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, Wake Forest, University of North Carolina, NC State, University of California Berkeley, Southern Methodist University, and Stanford.
Big Ten
There are 18 schools in the Big Ten for the 2024-25 season, with the additions of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington.
2023 Big Ten Football Teams: Maryland, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, University of Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Penn State, Rutgers, and the University of Wisconsin.
2024 Big Ten Football Teams: Maryland, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, University of Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Penn State, Rutgers, University of Wisconsin, University of Southern California, UCLA, University of Oregon, and the University of Washington.
Big 12
The Big 12 now includes 16 schools with the additions of Arizona State, the University of Arizona, Utah, and Colorado, and the departures of Texas and the University of Oklahoma.
2023 Big 12 Football Teams: Brigham Young, Baylor, University of Cincinnati, Kansas State, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, University of Houston, Iowa State, University of Kansas, University of Central Florida, University of West Virginia, Texas Christian University, Texas, and Texas Tech.
2024 Big 12 Football Teams: Brigham Young, Baylor, University of Cincinnati, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, University of Houston, Iowa State, University of Kansas, University of Central Florida, University of West Virginia, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech, Arizona State, University of Arizona, University of Utah, and the University of Colorado.
Pac-12
The shrunken Pac-12 is now the Pac-2 after most of the schools on its roster switched conferences this year. Under the new arrangement, Washington State will play 8 games against Mountain West schools and Oregon State will play 7 games this season against MWC teams.
2023 Pac-12 Football Teams: Arizona State, University of Arizona, University of California Berkeley, University of Colorado, University of Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA, Stanford, University of Southern California, University of Utah, University of Washington, and Washington State.
2024 Pac-12 Football Teams: Washington State and Oregon State.
SEC
With the additions of Texas and Oklahoma, the SEC now has 16 teams going into the 2024-25 season.
2023 conference: University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, Auburn, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State, University of Missouri, Ole Miss, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt.
2024 conference: University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, Auburn, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State, University of Missouri, Ole Miss, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, University of Texas, and the University of Oklahoma.
AAC
The AAC roster is unchanged in its total of 14 teams, but that includes the addition of Army and the offsetting SMU move out of the conference this year.
2023 AAC Football Teams: University of Charlotte, Florida Atlantic University, University of Memphis, Navy, North Texas, Rice, Southern Methodist University, East Carolina, Temple, Tulane, University of Tulsa, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of South Florida, University of Texas San Antonio.
2024 AAC Football Teams: University of Charlotte, Florida Atlantic University, University of Memphis, Navy, North Texas, Rice, Temple, Tulane, East Carolina, University of Tulsa, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of South Florida, Army, and the University of Texas San Antonio.
Conference USA
The conference now has 10 teams on its roster due to the addition of Kennesaw State this year.
2023 Conference USA Football Teams: Louisiana Tech, Florida International University, Jacksonville State, Middle Tennessee, Liberty, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, University of Texas at El Paso, and Western Kentucky.
2024 Conference USA Football Teams: Florida International University, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, University of Texas at El Paso, and Western Kentucky, Kennesaw State.
Mid-American
The conference continues with the same 12 teams as in 2023, with no gains or losses of teams going into the 2024-25 season.
2023 Mid-American Football Teams: University of Akron, Ball State, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Kent State, Miami (OH), Northern Illinois, University of Ohio, Toledo University, Western Michigan
2024 Mid-American Football Teams: Same as 2023. No changes.
Mountain West
The MWC continues with 12 teams on its roster. However, the conference will play 15 games in total against Washington State and Oregon State. That’s 8 games against the Cougars and 7 against the Beavers respectively.
2023 Mountain West Football Teams: Boise State, Air Force, Colorado State, University of New Mexico, Fresno State, University of Nevada Reno, San Diego State, San Jose State, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Utah State, University of Wyoming, and the University of Hawaii.
2024 Mountain West Football Teams: Same as 2023. No changes in the number of teams, but internal changes to the number of combined games to be played against the only two remaining Pac-12 teams.
Sun Belt
The Sun Belt remains at 14 teams for the 2024-25 season.
2023 Sun Belt Football Teams: Arkansas State, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Louisiana Monroe, University of Louisiana, James Madison, Old Dominion, Marshall, South Alabama, University of Southern Mississippi, Troy, and Texas State.
2024 Sun Belt Football Teams: Same as 2023. No changes.
NOTE: The NCAA conference realignments also extend to basketball and other sports. However, college football is driving the changes and is the central focus of the restructuring.
Why Has this Realignment Across the NCAA Occurred?
There has been much speculation among fans about the reason(s) for the sweeping reorganization of the NCAA conferences from coast to coast. Is it about money? About conference/media revenue percentages? Increasing valuations of NIL? All of the above?
The changes didn’t actually start this year. The NCAA has been undergoing restructuring of the conferences since the 2021 season. The primary reason for teams switching conferences in such numbers is, yes, about TV money. That’s because the conferences with the most valuable contracts are naturally the most highly sought. For example, the SEC has a 10-year, $3 billion deal with ESPN, and the Big Ten holds a 7-year, $7 billion media rights deal with CBS, NBC, and Fox.
The changes in the NCAA conferences can cause the effective elimination of some cherished regional rivalries between prominent teams in the league. It can further potentially upset the formerly established contrasts in power between conferences and between teams within a given conference.
The silver lining is that several fiery old rivalries, such as Texas vs Texas A&M have been renewed, while intriguing new rivalries like Oregon vs Ohio State have been officially ignited.
Elite Activewear for Comfort & Adaptability Through the 2024 NCAA Season
Whatever else happens in the NCAA 2024-25 football season, you’ll be there supporting your team as always. Your alma mater and/or your kid’s school need you there cheering for the home team. In that honorable effort, you’ll need to be comfortable and look your best, as always on game days, from the office to the field.
With team options for nearly every conference under the sun and sizes ranging from XS-XXXL, here are some must-have Cutter & Buck NCAA apparel selections to give you an idea of the styles and quality of the premium-quality college sportswear we provide for college football fans across the country.
Ohio State Buckeyes - Cutter & Buck Coastline Epic Comfort Eco Recycled Mens Polo
The 2023-24 3rd-ranked Ohio State team is a proven exceptional NCAA team. As an Ohio State football fan, you naturally need team-branded attire that rises to the level of your team’s prestige. This is a perfect Ohio State men’s polo shirt to add to your Buckeyes team-logo apparel.
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Georgia Bulldogs Cutter & Buck Vapor Water Repellent Stretch Mens Full Zip Rain Jacket ($289.99)
The University of Georgia was the 11th ranked NCAA team at the close of the 2023-24 season and expected to be a high performer this year. (One of the most anticipated games of the upcoming season will be between Georgia and Ohio State.) Available in black or white, here’s an ideal men’s all-weather Georgia Bulldogs jacket to complete your Bulldogs wardrobe.
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Michigan Wolverines 2023 College Football National Champions Cutter & Buck Mainsail Full Zip Hooded Womens Jacket ($184.99)
The University of Michigan Wolverines were the College Football Playoff National Champions last season and the Big Ten champions for the past 3 years. If you’re a Wolverines fan, you will of course want to be comfortable in team attire that will go from office to the field and represent your team well. This ultra comfortable and versatile women’s Michigan Wolverines heathered full zip will ensure you look stylish while remaining comfortable during blustery game days.
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- Full zipper sweater fleece hoodie
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Versatile NCAA Fan Apparel for the Exciting 2024-25 Season
Take a minute to skim our informative and entertaining Cutter & Buck blog for lots of fun and interesting knowledge-building articles going into the 2024-25 college football season. Then, check out our premier NCAA men’s and women’s apparel collection to build your ideal college team wardrobe—one that’s ready for any setting … or conference shift.
