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Rutgers Sports

Watch out RU: Oregon and Washigton Coming to Big Ten Too

By Michael Cohen August 4th
PISCATAWAY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 10: Detail of a Rutgers Scarlet Knights helmet sits on the field before a college football game against the Wagner Seahawks at SHI Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Get ready Rutgers fans, two more Pac-12 teams are coming to the Big Ten.

In another huge shift in the powers of college football, The Universities of Oregon and Washington are preparing to  jump to the Big Ten.

According to reports, a vote by the Big Ten is expected to be unanimous for both programs to join in 2024.

The move means that four Pac-12 Teams are now members of the Big Ten, with USC and UCLA already in the mix. The total number of teams in the Big Ten will now increase to 18.

Terms of the deal were not revealed.

The Universities of California, Stanford, Oregon State, and Washington State remain in the Pac-12 moving forward. According to reports, they can not add teams until next year.

Only the SEC can come close to the number of teams (16) in its football conference after Texas and Oklahoma jumped from the Big 12. The move also signifies that the NCAA is shifting toward power conferences.

It will be fascinating to see how the addition of Oregon and Washington affect the schedule which was already revealed a few months ago. According to senior writer Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, he Tweeted out that he’d expect revisions.

The 2024-25 Schedule

The Big Ten eliminated divisions for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, and opponents will be rotated over a two year span when the schedules were revealed a few months ago.

For example, Rutgers will face Michigan and Michigan State in 2024, but not in 2025. They will face USC and UCLA for the first time in 2025.

10 Best NFL Teams Going Into the 2023 Season

Football season is officially here. That’s cause to rejoice, in my book. I really don’t want to see summer end, but the good thing about it is that football is starting up. So, who are the best NFL teams going into the 2023 season?

Of course, everyone has their opinion. But, that opinion is often, or should be, based on fact. Certain teams going into the new season made good on their draft picks, while others kind of flubbed up. Also, many teams – such as the Kansas City Chiefs – have been tough to beat for years. So, of course, they’re going to be favorites.

Before I get into my personal picks for the 10 NFL teams going into the 2023 season, let’s talk about some of the weaker teams. What’s shocking is that the Los Angeles Rams are considered one of the weakest teams this year. I mean, we’re just two years out from their Super Bowl win. So, that’s somewhat surprising. Then again, it’s not surprising seeing their performance last season. I’m ranking them in the bottom five of NFL teams, because I just don’t see them having the players and coaching chemistry to go far this year. That said, they should still bask in the light of their Super Bowl victory.

Also at the bottom of the pack are the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts. Both teams have struggled for years, and they just don’t seem to be making the right decisions on and off the field. Who knows, maybe these teams will turn it around and surprise us. But, right now, the Cardinals, Colts and Rams are looking rough.

So, who are the best NFL teams going into the 2023 season? Read on for my thoughts. Also, I’m a sports podcaster and host a podcast about the Detroit Lions called “The Squad with Anne Erickson.” Find my podcast here and reach out to me on socials here with your NFL thoughts.

  • 10. Baltimore Ravens

    I could have put these guys higher, as the Baltimore Ravens are solid in 2023. What they have that a lot of teams – even good teams – don’t have is a fantastic defense. As they say, defense wins games. So, they’re Super Bowl contenders, but I see them struggling against the teams coming up on this list.

  • 9. Detroit Lions

    Okay. You might say I’m a bit biased here, since I’m a Detroiter and a Detroit Lions fan. But, nearly every NFL critic has the Detroit Lions in their top 15 going into the new season. Some even having them winning the Super Bowl. I really think that Dan Campbell, Jared Goff and company have what it takes to make it to the playoffs the year. As for the Super Bowl? I could see them there in the next few years.

  • 8. Seattle Seahawks

    I kind of consider the Seattle Seahawks the surprise team for 2023. They tend to fly under the radar on best-of lists, but they’ve got one of the best offenses in the NFL. Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet are magic.

  • 7. Dallas Cowboys

    The Dallas Cowboys have been flirting with getting to the Super Bowl, and they’re almost there. They have a super tight defense, and now, their offense has solidified. They’ve got new star players in Stephon Gilmore, Brandin Cooks and Mazi Smith, which will certainly help.

  • 6. Buffalo Bills

    The Buffalo Bills were favorites to make it to the Super Bowl last season, but they fell towards the end of the season. Still, they’re one of the strongest teams in the league, and now, they have something to prove.

  • 5. San Francisco 49ers

    I know, I know. How could I put the San Francisco 49ers as low as No. 5 on this list? Many think they’ll go all the way this year. Hey, I think they’re strong and definitely Super Bowl Contenders. But, the teams that follow will be hard to beat. In any case, the 49ers’ coaching staff is fantastic, so that will help.

  • 4. Cincinnati Bengals

    The Cincinnati Bengals have been nickel-and-diming their way to the top. They have strong defenses and offenses, plus recently added left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to their defense roster. With their A-list roster of players and smart coaching staff, they could go all the way.

  • 3. New York Jets

    I’m ready for the hate mail. (But, please, don’t send it!) Pretty much every NFL critic has the New York Jets in their top 10, or even top five, this season. But, selecting them as No. 3 is stepping out on a limb a bit for me. That said, as a Lions fan, I’ve watched Aaron Rodgers over the years. I know he’s not always easy to take. But, he’s still one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league. Now, he’s with a new team, and that team is stacked. As I see it, the New York Jets could go all the way this season, or they could be a total flop. Flip a coin.

  • 2. Kansas City Chiefs

    While most NFL critics have the Kansas City Chiefs as their No. 1 pick going into the season, I’ve put them at No. 2. That said, they are so, so close to my No. 1 pick, so it could go either way. The Kansas City Chiefs were fantastic in the Super Bowl earlier this year. They took home a definitive win. They also still have a solid, strong roster, including the head of it all, Patrick Mahomes. I really think Mahomes is a modern-day Brady. He’s already proved himself on the field over and over again. Also, he’s still very young, so he could be an elite quarterback for years to come.

  • 1. Philadelphia Eagles

    Honestly, picking the No. 1 best NFL team going into the new season was very difficult. Any team in the top five could have had this slot. But, I’m going with the Philadelphia Eagles. Why? Well, we already know that they’re talented and a strong team. But, so are the other teams on this list. So, what sets them apart? I believe what sets them apart is that they’re hungry. After losing in the Super Bowl, Jalen Hurts are company are hungrier than ever to finish up that unsettled business. I think this is the year they’ll do it.

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