Auburn football: Gus Malzahn instrumental in potential UCF Power Five jump
If you ask me, UCF would be a worthy entrant into the SEC for several reasons. There is a built-in history with Auburn football, but new head coach Gus Malzahn has also mentioned Alabama by name this season as well.
Add it up with a Sunshine State turf war with the Florida Gators for the right to be known as the state’s preeminent gridiron power, and you’ve got a culture that fits right in with the over-the-top football love of the conference.
That said, it appears as though the Knights’ jump from the Group of Five and the AAC could come in the form of a jump to the Big 12, which currently has eight members following Texas and Oklahoma’s departures to the SEC this past July.
Spectrum News 13’s Chris Torello had the scoop:
My understanding is #UCF is being pursued by the Big 12. The Knights are being cautiously optimistic.
— CHRIS TORELLO *️⃣ (@TorelloSports) August 25, 2021
They absolutely would jump in but right now why would you join a conference that may not exist in the next few years?
Think Boise State/TCU with the Big East.
Patience.
This follows news that the Pac-12 wouldn’t be expanding itself:
Pac-12 will not pursue expansion of its membership at this time. This means, Big 12, w/8 remaining members have a chance to survive. Only question is who will Big 12 add from Group of 5
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 26, 2021
Perhaps the Big 12 can follow in the Pac-12’s lead and live up to its namesake. UCF being apart of the conference certainly qualifies as big considering their 2017 co-National championship with Alabama.
The former Auburn football coach Malzahn being the team’s current coach solidifies its status as the premiere Group of Five program (outside of Cincinnati) set to make the Power Five jump in pursuit of expanded revenues and a more profound college football footprint.
Next. Joey Gatewood's teammates' reaction to UCF transfer. dark