College football realignment: Oregon, Washington on verge of joining Big Ten

• Big Ten clears way for Oregon, Washington to join - sources
• Realignment would deal crushing blow to beleaguered Pac-12
• Revamped Big Ten would include 18 schools across 15 states

The Big Ten has cleared the way for Oregon and Washington to apply for membership and join the conference, four people with familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Friday, dealing a crushing blow to the beleaguered Pac-12.

The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Big Ten and the schools in the Pacific Northwest were finalizing an official agreement and announcement.