​Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a fan survey spanning the NCAA landscape. Throughout the year we pose questions to Nebraska fans and devoted college football followers nationwide. Sign up here to participate in our weekly emailed surveys.
Sure, the nation’s 250th birthday was celebrated this weekend, but July 1 marked a milestone a bit closer to home: the 15th anniversary of the Nebraska Cornhuskers joining the Big Ten. That moment signaled the start of a gradual unraveling of the old Big Eight, a process that began when Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Baylor left to form the Big 12. Fast forward to today, and only about half of the original members remain—Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State—with Colorado’s status a bit more complicated, given its recent return after a 13-year Pac-12 detour. And when it comes to the old SWC, only Baylor and Texas Tech remain as the core.
Over the past 15 seasons, this shift has brought both benefits and challenges. The conference expanded from 12 to 18 members and transformed its identity from a Power 5 league to a leading Power 4 conference. And even as the Pac-12 reorganized into a nine-team lineup, the Big Ten’s position remains distinctly within that top tier.
So, in this new era of college sports circa 2026, with the benefit of hindsight, was that decision worth it? We’ll publish the outcomes later this week. For now, this is your space to weigh in as we explore whether Nebraska’s move, and the broader conference realignments, have paid dividends or presented ongoing trade-offs.