New report suggests Penn State football may want to block Pitt from joining the Big Ten

The historic Penn State football rivalry with Pitt has remained dormant since 2019, when the Nittany Lions secured yet another triumph over the Panthers. At present, there are no immediate plans to revive the series. However, discussions surrounding conference realignment have sparked rumors about Pitt potentially joining the Big Ten in the future.

Recent reports from Sports Illustrated and college football insider Brett McMurphey suggest that, if Pitt were to pursue this path, Penn State might endeavor to prevent their admission into the conference.

New Sports Illustrated report suggests Penn State football could move to block Pitt from the Big Ten

In a recent report by Sports Illustrated, the hot topic of conference realignment in college football has been making waves within the sport. Respected college football insider Brett McMurphy, known for his expertise, has shed light on potential options for smaller football programs, such as the Pitt Panthers. McMurphy has expressed the view that Pitt could be a valuable addition to the prestigious Big Ten conference, however, one significant hurdle could stand in their way: Penn State.

Based on Murphy’s analysis of national trends and the dynamics between the two schools, he suggests that the Nittany Lions may not extend a warm welcome to their Pennsylvania counterparts if they were to pursue membership in the Big Ten. In fact, he speculates that Penn State could take measures to impede Pitt’s inclusion. Here are some excerpts from his insights:

“So if you were going to ask where Pitt would end up, one thing you’d have to look at is the Big Ten and Penn State,” McMurphy said according to Sports Illustrated. “Would Penn State want Pitt in the Big 10? And if they did or didn’t, it wouldn’t mean they would automatically be in or not be in, but it would be a consideration. I know the SEC until recently with the addition of Texas, they have not added any new members that were in states where they already had existing members.”

“I have no inside information on this but based on other schools and other conferences, the answer would be … ‘Hell no,’” he said.

In the event that Pitt considers joining the Big Ten conference in the future, it would undoubtedly prompt extensive contemplation from Penn State football and the university itself regarding their own strategic decisions. The prospect of including the Panthers, a fellow in-state Power 5 program, in the Big Ten would require careful consideration.

Although not explicitly stating that Penn State would move obstruct Pitt’s entry, Murphy suggests that PSU could influence the exclusion of their in-state rivals. Considering the prevailing trends across the country, it is probable that the Lions would prefer to avoid additional in-state competition within the conference.

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