There was understandable concern in Bulls Nation about a provision under discussion in the Protect College Sports Act that could prohibit power conferences from expanding. If enacted -- still a longshot, by the way -- USF would have its path to join one of the Power 4 leagues blocked.
But those fears seem to have subsided.
ESPN College Football Senior Writer Pete Thamel reported Monday that "Group of 6 schools would be allowed to move up in the latest discussions."
The discussion now apparently centers on stopping the SEC and Big Ten from merging and creating a so-called super league. That was apparent by a pair of provisions that -- again, if enacted -- would make such a merger impossible.
Thamel reported that lawmakers discussed capping conferences at 19 programs. The Big Ten currently has 18 while the SEC has 16.
For a league to leave a power conference to join another, they’d have to play five years as an independent. The Group of 6 schools would be allowed to move up in the latest discussions.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 20, 2026
The proposed bill recently passed a bipartisan U.S. Senate committee and would eventually head to a vote by the full body. It would have to pass the U.S. House of Representatives, and President Trump would then have sign it.
All of that is a long way from happening, if it ever does. With the midterm elections a little more than four months away, lawmakers are more focused on their futures -- not to mention a war in Iran and ever-increasing prices at home -- than they are about whether North Carolina and Virginia leave the ACC to join the Big Ten.
But the mere threat that something like that proposal could become law has led to speculation that the long-awaited conference realignments could come sooner rather than later.
USF, of course, has made no secret of its desire to leave the American Conference to join one of the power groups. Before that can happen, though, one of the big conferences needs to make its move by poaching a team or two from another league -- like the SEC did when it grabbed Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12.
Meanwhile, USF continues to fund its athletic program at record levels for the university. The centerpiece of all that is the on-campus football stadium that will open in 2027.
Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but the Bulls' opponent for the inaugural game is Louisville from the ACC.
With TV contracts for the major conferences expiring in around three years, it's possible the Bulls could get some news about their potential new home by the end of this year. Programs typically need to give about 27 months notice of their intention to join a conference. That time line would fit neatly into USF's potential. departure from the American.
Add us as a preferred source on Google