Texas College Football Landscape Transforms with New Conference Alignments

Since its inception in 1994, the Big 12 Conference has dominated Texas college football, serving as the home for nearly all power conference schools in the state. However, 2024 marks a significant shift in this landscape.

The University of Texas has moved to the SEC, joining Texas A&M to give the conference two major powerhouses from the state. Additionally, SMU has ascended to power conference status and joined the ACC. This realignment means that Texas teams are now distributed across three major conferences for the first time in decades.

With the SEC, ACC, and Big 12 all having a presence in Texas, the competition for dominance in this key media market and high school football talent hub has intensified.

Despite the changes, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark remains confident in the conference's position. Speaking at the Big 12 Media Days at Allegiant Stadium, Yormark emphasized the importance of maintaining the league's influence in Texas.

“Incredibly important, Dallas is home,” Yormark stated. “Given realignment, others are in the market. But we’ll continue to have the biggest voice, for sure.”

The Big 12, headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, has recently expanded its office in Irving, reflecting the league's growth to 16 teams. As the conference strives to solidify its status as a national powerhouse, its presence in Texas remains a cornerstone of its strategy.