The college football world was seemingly thrown into more chaos than a Jim Harbaugh press conference when two blue bloods of the sport broke the news of the desired exit from the Big 12 to the SEC. With Oklahoma and Texas a done deal, everything has been put into a state of wait-and-see, especially with expanding the College Football Playoff. That has since been met with even more conference realignment shenanigans with recent news of USC and UCLA’s pending move to the Big Ten.
So far, we’ve had a lot of rumors and speculation that even we’ve gotten into the act on, but nobody really knows how this will play out. One thing is for certain, you can bet there are conversations going on behind the scenes as the remaining Big 12, ACC, and Pac-12 members look to potentially get off of a sinking ship and into another conference.
It would seem the Big Ten could get nearly any team it wanted from the lot if any more conversations heated up about expanding since it’s the conference that makes the most revenue, but there seems to be one problem with that. The Big Ten may not really want to entertain many more teams that could be looking to be airlifted out of danger.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reported and confirmed what we’ve all thought all along — that many inside the Big Ten believe the conference will only look at programs that are members of the American Association of Universities (AAU), an accreditation that comes with higher academic standards. They are schools that are “on the leading edge of innovation, scholarship and solutions that contribute to scientific progress, economic development, security and well-being.”
That said and if you believe it, then the list of teams dwindles quite a bit should any sort of further expansion talks continue to gain traction. In fact, it’s not a new development. The Big Ten sang this same tune the last time the music played in this game of conference musical chairs.
We decided to put together a list of FBS schools that are AAU members to see what population we’re talking about. It doesn’t mean the Big Ten would consider all of them, or that even the majority would entertain the idea. Instead, it’s a starting point to see what might be a little more plausible than not when talking about a mutual agreement between the conference and schools looking to get in on what the Big Ten offers.
Here is a list of all FBS college football programs that are AAU accredited.
First … Big Ten Schools – (All except Nebraska that was when it joined the conference)
Indiana University
Oct. 24, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana; Indiana Hoosiers raise their helmets after the game at Memorial Stadium. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 36 to 35. Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1909
Michigan State University
Michigan State’s Jalen Nailor wears the “S” logo on his helmet along with the rest of the Spartans for the game against Indiana on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1964
THE Ohio State University
Ohio State helmets line the field prior to spring practice 2020. Ohio State Dept. of Athletics
Membership Year
1916
Pennsylvania State University
Nov. 16, 2013; University Park, Pennsylvania; General view of a Penn State Nittany Lions helmet prior to the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Beaver Stadium. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1958
Purdue University
Oct. 14, 2017; Madison, Wisconsin; A Purdue Boilermakers helmet during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1958
Rutgers University
Johnny Langan (17) of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights adjusts his helmet before the game against the Boston College Eagles at SHI Stadium on Sept. 21, 2019, in Piscataway, New Jersey. Corey Perrine/Getty Images
Membership Year
1989
University of Illinois
Dec. 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; General view of the Illinois Fighting Illini helmet during the second quarter against California Golden Bears at Levi’s Stadium. Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1908
University of Iowa
The helmet Drew Ott wore during his playing days at Iowa sits on a cupboard in him and his wife Kali’s home in Trumbull, NE on Thursday, May 16, 2019. USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1909
University of Maryland
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1969
University of Michigan
Nov. 18, 2017; Madison, Wisconsin; An Michigan Wolverines helmet during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1900
University of Minnesota
Nov. 10, 2018; Minneapolis, Minnesota; A general view of a Minnesota Golden Gophers helmets before a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at TCF Bank Stadium. Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1908
University of Wisconsin
Nov. 9, 2019; Madison, Wisconsin; A Wisconsin Badgers helmet during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1900
Northwestern University (Private)
Sept. 30, 2017; Madison, Wisconsin; Northwestern Wildcats helmets on the field prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1917
NEXT … The ACC
Georgia Institute of Technology
Nov 21, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets helmet is seen on the sideline in the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Bobby Dodd Stadium. (Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)
Membership Year
2010
University of North Carolina
Oct. 10, 2020; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; North Carolina Tar Heels mascot in the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1922
University of Pittsburgh
Nov. 21, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Deslin Alexandre (5) and defensive lineman Rashad Weaver (17) and wide receiver Will Gipson (14) celebrate after defeating the Virginia Tech Hokies at Heinz Field. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1974
University of Virginia
Dec. 29, 2018; Charlotte, North Carolina; A Virginia Cavaliers helmet sits on the bench in the second quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2018 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1904
University of Miami (Private)
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
2023
Duke University (Private)
A Duke football helmet on the Duke’s sideline during the game against MTSU on Saturday Sept. 14, 2019, at MTSU. USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1938
NEXT … The Pac-12
Arizona State University
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
2023
University of Arizona
Nov. 17, 2018; Pullman, Washington; Arizona Wildcats helmet sits during football game against the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Martin Stadium. James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1985
University of California, Berkeley
Nov. 3, 2018; Pullman, Washington; California Golden Bears helmet sits during a football game against the Washington State Cougars in the second half at Martin Stadium. The Cougars won 19-13. James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1900
University of California, Los Angeles
Players from the Ohio State Buckeyes and the UCLA Bruins gather on the field to pray after the game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on September 22, 2001. UCLA defeated Ohio State 13-6. Donald Miralle/Getty Images
Membership Year
1974
University of Colorado
Oct. 19, 2019; Pullman, Washington; Colorado Buffaloes helmet sits during a football game against the Washington State Cougars in the first at Martin Stadium. James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1966
University of Oregon
May 1, 2021; Eugene, Oregon; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Oregon spring game at Autzen Stadium. Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1969
University of Utah
Sept. 14, 2019; Salt Lake City, Utah; A general view of the helmet worn by Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) against the Idaho State Bengals at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
2019
University of Washington
Aug. 31, 2019; Seattle, Washington; The Washington Huskies mascot, Harry the Husky, runs out of the tunnel before the start of a game against the Eastern Washington Eagles at Husky Stadium. Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1950
Stanford University (Private)
Oct. 17, 2019; Stanford, California; Stanford Cardinal cheerleaders and tree mascot pose during the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1900
University of Southern California (Private)
Sept. 7, 2019; Los Angeles; Southern California Trojans white horse mascot Traveller during the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Stanford 45-20. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1969
NEXT … The SEC
Texas A&M University
Sept. 8, 2018; College Station, Texas; Texas A&M Aggies mascot Reveille runs on to the field before the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Clemson Tigers at Kyle Field. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
2001
University of Florida
Sept. 28, 2019; Gainesville, Florida; Florida Gators mascot, Albert, cheers with fans during the second half against the Towson Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1985
University of Missouri
Nov. 28, 2020; Columbia, Missouri; A general view of several Missouri Tigers helmets during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1908
Vanderbilt University (Private)
Nov. 10, 2018; Columbia, Missouri; A general view of a Vanderbilt Commodores helmet during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. Missouri won 33-28. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1950
NEXT … Where the soup meets the nuts — the Big 12
Iowa State University
Jan. 2, 2021; Glendale, Arizona; Detailed view of an Iowa State Cyclones helmet during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1958
University of Kansas
Nov. 2, 2019; Lawrence, Kansas; A general view of a Kansas Jayhawks helmet during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1909
University of Texas
Sept. 21, 2019; Austin, Texas; Texas Longhorns fan poses with University of Texas logo on Bevo Boulevard before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1929
NEXT … The Independent Power Five
University of Notre Dame
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Membership Year
2023
NEXT … The Rest of the Non-Power Five FBS teams
University at Buffalo (MAC)
Oct. 22, 2016; DeKalb, Illinois; A detailed view of the Buffalo Bulls helmet before the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Huskie Stadium. Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1989
Rice University - Conference USA (Private)
Sept. 29, 2018; Winston-Salem, NC; A Rice Owls helmet sits on the sidelines during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1985
Tulane University - American Athletic (Private)
Oct. 31, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; The mascot for the Tulane Green Wave runs onto the field during their game against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the fourth quarter at Yulman Stadium. Cincinnati won, 38-14. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
1958
University of South Florida
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Membership Year
2023
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