College Football's Big 4: Part 1 Look at the Future Super Conferences

Do you hear that? It's the footsteps of an evolution. Do you feel that? It's the winds of a change that will transform college football forever.

Every one and their dog knows by now that the landscape of college football is under an extreme make-over: conference edition, with Texas A&M providing more proof of that point this past week.

Oklahoma looks to be next, with an announcement to come soon on their future. Oklahoma State is to follow suit, along with Texas Tech.

While Baylor is trying to block A&M's entrance into the SEC, Oklahoma, Texas and Tech have already stated they will not pursue action against A&M to force them to stay in-conference. Hmm...I wonder why?

Sooner rather than later, the Big 12, which is really the not-so-Big 9, will eventually (in about three or four years) be the Big Egg.

So it begs the question: what will happen to the rest of the Big 12 teams? The Pac-12 (not for long) is about to strike gold, with the likelihood of them picking-up power-house programs from Norman and Austin.

The first part of this four-part series (since this is the idea of four major conferences) is a look at who the "Pac-16" will be consisted of.

This conference looks to be closer than the other three at being set. With Utah and Colorado entering onto the scene this season, and Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State close behind, it's clear to see the first "super" conference is coming into form.

While at one time there was speculation of the Sooners and Longhorns moving to the SEC, they remained in the Big 12. But things have changed even more with Texas A&M's departure.

There's always a chance one team could go one way, and one team another. After all, Nebraska cut-off their heavy rivalry with Oklahoma to flee to the Big 10.

But I have a feeling Oklahoma and Texas will move together, with a rivalry that's challenged by few. That's where the Pac comes in, suddenly turning what used to be a less-than-steller conference into a source for BCS title-contenders.

If all goes as planned, both Texas Tech and Oklahoma State will follow in the steps of their big brother in-state programs, and join the Pac.

Oklahoma State billionaire-booster T. Boone Pickens seems pretty convinced that the demise of the Big 12 is coming very soon (says he'd be surprised if existed in five years) and seems to expect the Cowboys to move to the Pac 12.

Both Oklahoma teams seem very logical to join the Pac-12, while both Texas schools I'm a bit more skeptical about.

Texas would most likely have to give up their newly-constructed Longhorn Network to enter into the Pac-12. I think they can work it out, but it will be a factor.

Texas Tech has long-been on the SEC's list of potential adds, and with Texas A&M all but a Baylor Bear away from being in the conference, there could still be a place in the SEC for Tech.

There are countless amounts of ways this whole realignment fiasco could go down. Texas and Texas Tech could stay in the Big 12, and Air Force (yes, Air Force) and Boise State could replace the Oklahoma schools.

BYU is also a consideration to join and save the Big 12. But if there is to be four major conferences, both Texas and Oklahoma schools will move out west. That leaves out the possible addition of BYU, Missouri or Boise State into the Pac-12.

So when it's all said and done, the conference I see for the Pac future is a strong one, consisting of the following schools: Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Colorado, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, Texas, Texas Tech, UCLA, Utah, USC, Washington and Washington State.

There are plenty of good arguments for different teams to find their way into the conference, but at this time, it's still too hard of a puzzle to solve.

All we know is that a change is coming. and if T.Boone Pickens is correct, it's coming sooner rather than later.