BYU is headed to the Big 12!

Early Friday morning, Big 12 presidents and chancellors voted to accept BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF into the conference. In a statement, the Big 12 said the four schools were “approved unanimously by the eight continuing members.”

The move comes less than two months after Oklahoma and Texas announced they would join the SEC by July 1, 2025. If they decided to leave early, both Oklahoma and Texas would each have to pay a penalty of at least $75 million.

In a statement, BYU announced it will be joining the conference in the 2023-24 season. BYU is a football-independent school, and the Cougars’ other programs will continue to compete in the WCC until then.

Holy War 2021: BYU-Utah Betting Lines, Key Matchups And Game Prediction

“This is a historic day for BYU Athletics – and for the entire university,” said Kevin J Worthen, BYU president. “BYU is a place where ‘a commitment to excellence is expected.’ We strive to meet that requirement in all we do, including our core academic enterprise. Membership in the Big 12 gives us the opportunity to reinforce that commitment for student-athletes, allowing them to compete at the highest level both on and off the field.”

“We have said all along that the decisions about where we play, who we play and what conference we compete in are about the student-athletes first and how we can help them achieve excellence,” said Tom Holmoe, BYU director of athletics. “Competing on the Big 12 stage provides more opportunities for our student-athletes. That’s what it’s all about.”

BYU is coming off of its best overall athletic season since 2001-02, finishing No. 17 in the 2020-21 Director’s Cup standings thanks to several national championships, as well as a No. 11 finish in football.

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Holy War 2021: BYU-Utah Betting Lines, Key Matchups And Game Prediction

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