Maryland athletic director Damon Evans has commented on the future of the Big Ten, stating that further expansion is likely. This follows a period of significant conference realignment, which has left the Big Ten and SEC as the two dominant "superconferences." While Evans' comments are not an official announcement, they reflect a widely held belief among college athletic administrators that the current landscape is not yet final. The sentiment is that these two conferences will continue to grow and consolidate power, potentially reaching 20 members or more.

Why Kansas and Utah are Likely Candidates

Both Kansas and Utah are frequently mentioned as potential targets for the Big Ten, and for good reason. They possess key characteristics that align with the conference's expansion strategy.

Kansas 🏀

Kansas is an extremely attractive candidate primarily due to its elite basketball program. The Jayhawks are a perennial powerhouse, which would further bolster the Big Ten's status as the nation's premier basketball conference. While its football program has historically been less successful, it has shown recent improvement under coach Lance Leipold. Beyond athletics, Kansas is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), a key prerequisite for Big Ten membership. The university also offers a new media market, particularly in the Kansas City area, which is a valuable asset in securing future media rights deals.

Utah 🏈

Utah, another recent conference change, is a prime candidate for different reasons. The Utes' football program has been a model of consistency and success under head coach Kyle Whittingham, a valuable trait for a football-centric conference like the Big Ten. Their recent dominant win over UCLA—a team now in the Big Ten—demonstrates their ability to compete at the highest level. Utah is also a member of the AAU, meeting the academic standards of the conference. Geographically, Utah would help bridge the gap between the Big Ten's Midwest core and its new West Coast members (USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington), creating a more logical travel footprint.

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