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Ohio State Football: Surprise teams the Big Ten should target

By Alex Austin

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 22: The Big Ten Conference logo is seen on the field during the Big Ten Football Media Days at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 22, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 22: The Big Ten Conference logo is seen on the field during the Big Ten Football Media Days at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 22, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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UCF wouldn’t be a bad option as an up-and-coming program in both football and basketball if the Big Ten wanted to expand. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
UCF wouldn’t be a bad option as an up-and-coming program in both football and basketball if the Big Ten wanted to expand. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Get the up-and-comers before they make the big time

A risky move that could pay huge dividends if things continue progressing well would be heading south to pick up the next two teams. And by south, we mean all the way down in Florida.

Currently the University of Southern Florida (USF) Bulls and the University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights. Neither of these teams is in a major conference currently, but both have shown that they are among the best in the Group of Five.

If these programs continue improving they are going to be hot commodities for a conference (most likely the ACC) to pick up in a few years. Both have large student bodies that are passionate about their football teams and would pull in Florida (another huge recruiting hotbed) into the Big Ten.

This would be a bit of a risk if either team does not transition from a small conference to a Power Five, but looking at Utah in the Pac-12 there is some evidence that in a few years those teams can make the jump and be successful.

Ohio State football and basketball would be better challenged with both of these programs added, as would the rest of the Big Ten. Neither of these teams are pushovers in football, that’s for sure. But what if the conference did more for basketball in the Big Ten?

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