The PAC 12 as we know it ended in 2024, when USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon left for the Big Ten and Arizona, Colorado and Utah left for the Big 12. The remaining schools, Oregon State and Washington State, are looking to rebuild to the NCAA 8 members in the next year. Here are some of our favorite candidates for them to do so.
San Diego State
The San Diego state Aztecs have been reunited to the PAC 12 multiple times before, and they fall right in its footprint. Furthermore, they’re one of the better Mountain West Schools at both football and basketball.
UNLV
The new Las Vegas Raiders stadium is quickly becoming the best away game in the NFL. Who’s to say you couldn’t have such an away game for college football? UNLV would bring much needed money into the PAC 12 as well.
Boise State
Boise State was often rumored to the PAC 12 as well after their stand out performances in the field at the highest level (we all remember the Fiesta Bowl). They’d also fit in the PAC 12 realignment footprint.
Nevada (Reno)
Nevada is one of the more realistic candidates as they would have less academic barriers to entry to hurdle. They also have a consistently relevant football program, producing the likes of Kaepernick and Carson Strong. Plus, a natural rival for the addition of UNLV.
Fresno State
Fresno State has been one of the top performers in the Mountain West conference the last few years, from a combination of both great coaching and recruiting talent. They have a legacy of producing NFL caliber talent as well, with both David and Derek Carr as well as Davante Adams being program alumni. They could instantly compete at the power conference level.
Tulane
While Tulane falls quite a bit outside the PAC 12’s historical footprint, they would immediately be one of the top contending football programs in recent history in the conference. It seems they perennially upset (or almost upset – looking at you Kansas State) power conference programs, and Tulane as an institution has demonstrated they are committed to continuing to develop their football program to a top level. Plus, having New Orleans in your conference footprint is never a bad decision. In this instance, the bigger question may be if Tulane is willing to accept, or if they would hold out for an invite from the ACC.
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