REPORT: Pac-12 SURVIVES with new expansion stealing Mountain West schools l College Football Podcast

According to several reports, the Pac-12 is going to add 4 Mountain West schools by 2026: Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, and San Diego State. The move won't be the last you hear on the realignment front as Oregon State and Washington State seek clarity on their conference affiliation.
On this reaction episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin and 'Locked On Big 12' host Drake Toll think about what a next step could be for the league. Which 2 teams should be the top targets 22:06
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REPORT: Pac-12 SURVIVES with new expansion stealing Mountain West schools
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[@BWinDCI]

This news came in the most Pac-12 way, after dark

[@MarkMay-cr6bv]

😁

[@pnut3844able]

Not for them

[@LockedOnCollegeFootball]

Poetic as can be.

[@BWinDCI]

@@LockedOnCollegeFootball Spencer, with this announcement are you going to go back to doing LockedOnPac12 ?

[@frictionhitch]

I just realized. This was announced pre Colorado V Colorado State. That is absolutely not a coincidence.

[@frictionhitch]

Kudos PAC12. That's some smart lemonade.

[@MarkMay-cr6bv]

Also, pre-Washington vs. Washington State and Oregon vs. Oregon State. Definitely not a coincidence.

[@LockedOnCollegeFootball]

And before Oregon v Oregon St/Washington v Washington St

[@frictionhitch]

@@LockedOnCollegeFootball lol I didn't even realize that. Totally not a coincidence though I am sure that all 6 ADs will be in lockstep pretending that it was.

[@xuexxiong]

Cal and Stanford need to go back. Also, I hope Oregon State and Washington State beat the brakes off Oregon and Washington this week.

[@therebellioussheep2368]

Not happening.

[@jvjvargas03]

The issue is they made a statement last saying they will never be in a conference with Fresno state ever

[@MarketAndChurch]

Cal and Stanford would be perfect additions to the Pac8. What other teams do you think should join the Pac8? I hope Arizona and Arizona State reconsider.

[@therebellioussheep2368]

@@MarketAndChurch Why would Arizona and Arizona State leave the Big 12 when it is in a much better financial position?

[@MarketAndChurch]

@@therebellioussheep2368 True. And the BIG12 is a top tier conference

[@curtispenner2]

This brings back regionalism. That’s what is core of college conferences.

[@amac701]

This won't stay regional. They'll go east for future expansion. A regional conference is not desired by networks.

[@rustyroosterrusty]

Boise State and Fresno State have both deserved a seat at the table year after year. You can throw San Diego State in there too. UNLV is an upcoming university with a lot of potential. Utah State has potential as well.

[@lorenzohaynes3886]

This doesn't get them there.

[@j.thompson9345]

I say add UNLV, Tulane, Memphis, and USF

[@sweetlew8725]

Boise would already be there if not for their academics and small stadium. UNLV & Ute st would be solid adds on the field but they add nothing for the TV contract.

[@jonarcher9969]

A seat at the kids table... they could definitely win a JUCO championship... maybe 2A playoffs...

[@michaellawrence588]

The conference of "State".

[@stephenbird5472]

When you negotiate you want to put yourself in the strongest position possible. This step takes you from desperation to legitimate contender. When you go to networks to negotiate broadcast rights you now are in a position to get a competitive contract. That puts you in the position to attract the best new teams to join you. Brilliant move!

[@erose964]

All this did is move 4 mountain west teams to another conference to join 2 wanna be teams. But, they’re still mountain west teams. TV executives are not stupid.

[@davidbrown386]

Four obvious choices: Air Force, North Texas, UNLV UTSA.

[@JohnOdermott]

As for obtaining a strong TV agreement, I think the New Pac, with these 6 teams, are already a more attractive TV package to networks than are the remaining 8 MWC teams.

[@GR-bn3xj]

Yes but not better than the AAC imo

[@Patrick-sg7cm]

​@@GR-bn3xjBetter per school than the AAC due to fewer mouths to feed.

[@GR-bn3xj]

@@Patrick-sg7cm I know that memphis gets anywhere between 8-10 million a year on the AAC. Do you know the payout? I have not been able to find what they've been proposing. I think it would have to be more than just a little bit more because of the travel

[@zacheryhardie9313]

Mountain West should backfill with North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Montana, and Montana State. For what it’s worth, those happen to be the top 4 FCS brands that coincidentally fit geographically while bringing rivalries with them.

[@dariuswhitaker2407]

And maybe Idaho, maybe this time Idaho will be ready and not move back down

[@thejfactor1]

@@dariuswhitaker2407Idaho doesn’t meet the attendance requirement

[@dariuswhitaker2407]

@@thejfactor1 damn

[@johnfurgele9962]

@@thejfactor1 They don't really enforce that attendance. My daughter attends Univ Buffalo a G5 school in the MAC. Trust me, it is not enforced. CFB is crazier than ever, but we all love it.

[@TJ-Stackin]

They are already on it

[@letitroll610]

If they want more MW schools, now they have much better leverage in negotiations with remaining schools.

[@craiganderson8569]

Man, OSU and WSU deserved better than this.

[@crab1]

I think the next move is to add UNLV, then Memphis, Tulane, and UTSA from the AAC and create the premier G5 conference that has a lock on the last CFP auto-bid. This would screw the rest of the G5 schools pretty bad as no team from the Sun Belt, MAC, CUSA, or what’s left of MWC or AAC would stand any chance against this new PAC-12 conference champion. Essentially this turns the last CFP auto-bid into a PAC-12 auto-bid. Pretty smart move by OSU/WSU.

[@GR-bn3xj]

I used to be in favor of this, but Would those schools want to join and have a harder path to the playoff than they have right now? The money would have to be better. I do love the idea, but the conference would have to convince these schools that it's worth it. The flips out to your argument is that they would have a harder path, and maybe make less money and increase the travel budget. The AAC pays out a lot more than the MWC. I would be interested to know what this new pac 12 would pay each team.

[@thomasspringhower814]

I miss when Spencer did locked on pac12. He used to be the deliverer of beevs & cougs news

[@CarlaJenkinsTV]

Honestly, if this goes through would this podcast revert back to Locked on PAC podcast?

[@kylerlovgren48]

Add Cal, Stanford & Gonzaga. Then hold tight while re-alignment continues. Call yourself a Power 5 and the Conference of Champions (market, market,market)- stay relevant. Still have to win Football and Baseball games, but as these large conferences dilute themselves with 20 teams, there may be some value in staying smaller (again the conference teams have to deliver)

[@allin3730]

Just curious, but can they really call it a power 5 if it is in fact no longer a power 5? The 4 schools they are bringing over have been G5. Are we saying Oregon State and Wash State make them P5 status again because I don’t see that.

[@BitMadeIt]

@@allin3730Boise can compete on the national level in football and sdsu can compete in basketball. I think the results will tell whether or not it’s a power conference or not

[@kylerlovgren48]

You can call yourself the number 1 conference if you want. People will argue, but sure you can do it. Start winning as you make your claims and it becomes more accepted.

[@TasanChannel]

Go Cougs! Go Beavs! The PAC is BACK!

[@pnwadventurer802]

PAC lite

[@c2thewick]

pac12 will always be the conference of champions

[@Brandon-hi7tm]

As a UTSA grad I would actually love to see us play more on the West Coast in a better conference. Memphis, Tulane and UTSA makes the conference the best of the rest basically.

[@nnonotnow]

I think it's a good move. They were sinking and now they have a life raft. Whether that boat floats or not. We'll find out. I think they need to add a few more teams.

[@Mzbbxhfbfnsx]

Congrats to them, doing what Kliavkoff never had the stones to do

[@EyeOfTheWatcher]

The Pac-12 will still need two other schools, so I wonder who they have in mind to fill those spots.

[@william_mac]

Don't you worry about it. The pac-12 will have eight schools before you know it.

[@tylernelson3343]

Assuming that one could be UNLV

[@cityhawk]

@@tylernelson3343I was thinking that as well. It wouldn't surprise me if they go for North Dakota State as well (football only of course). They won't be successful, but I could see the Pac-12 giving it a go.

[@Mr.Ed_Wayner]

If you are the 4 MWC schools moving to the PAC-12, you would have to be guaranteed a much bigger media deal than staying in the MWC. Will that number be $10M? $15M? If you are Texas schools like UTSA, UNT, Rice and you are getting $7M in the AAC, would it take $15M to get you to move? If it’s $10M do they move? It it’s $10M, does the PAC-12 then go after Texas St and UTEP? IMO with 6 schools, the PACK-12 needs to shoot for a media deal in the $15M range in order to attract top AAC schools. If you are the 4 MWC schools you want at least 10 schools in case WSU/OSU get a P4 invite to ensure stability as a contingency.

[@mikefredd3390]

Hard to see Stanford and Caltech associating with some land grant colleges.

[@giraffesneck5531]

The pac could also take the 6 best eastern schools they can and make regional divisions with 2 cross coast games. Then you have a national footprint without all the travel costs

[@jhs99990]

That’s a really interesting proposal , I guess they could probably get Liberty and JMU, I just dk if they could grab any American schools even with those teams which might be a non starter for Liberty and JMU, if they might be able to join the American

[@Blazesita]

I really like that idea. I would try to grab AAC schools like memphis and tulane

[@BBallRambling]

It would be cool to see schools like NAU, Idaho, and Idaho state get invited to the MountainWest

[@Zay4Life]

They very well may get the invite, especially if 2-3 more teams join the PAC 12

[@pnwadventurer802]

Idaho is a pretty good team. So it's possible

[@Nathan_Lara]

I think the Mountain West needs to get to 14 schools. NMSU, UTEP, SDSU, NDSU, Montana, and Montana State.

[@daddio159]

Getting a TV deal that’s bigger than the AAC is the key. I imagine they must have some contingency agreement in place to get the 4 new schools added.

[@77legoman]

I think they might add 6 teams towards the middle of the country such as Memphis Tulane UTSA not sure what the other three would be but that works

[@christurner5682]

They should get Air Force but i think theyll join the AAC

[@emoney3912]

No one cares about Any force or any of the military schools. Won’t happen. Not competitive enough

[@dakotalynde1913]

Boise state has needed this for a minute now

[@deaconmma3048]

Boise & Fresno should have been added years ago

[@baseballdude8491]

Leave it to a Ducky to use.the word "stealing" in his link This isn't an emergency it's a normal progression that was easy to predict They took the 4 slam dunks and now they will be able to add more quality one or two at a time as many will be interested in joining this conference

[@JimmyWashingtonII]

Cal and Stanford are literally screwed lol might as well go independent at this point.

[@goingrawwithhuck3047]

Explain, how so?

[@tylernelson3343]

@@goingrawwithhuck3047 especially if ACC implodes and they are looking for a new conference home

[@fakereality96]

Cal will take Auburn's spot in the SEC, and drag Stanford along for the ride. 🐻🌲

[@JimmyWashingtonII]

@@goingrawwithhuck3047 travel issues vs acc opponents

[@legoforbeginners6950]

As a coug, I legitimately sorry for the MW. They keep losing all their guys, first Utah and then BYU and now this. But on the other hand I'm just glad my school is going to survive getting shafted. And terrified of playing Boise St. in Boise.

[@wapiti128]

As a North idaho boise fan, I'm pretty stoked about being able to drive to Pullman to watch the broncos!

[@wapiti128]

@@legoforbeginners6950 That will be my first game on the blue! I'm pretty stoked! You guys look like you have a good qb. I digg your coach too!

[@ryansuter4424]

When it comes to the PAC 12 getting an automatic bid it should come down to the rules that where established when those Conferences were given the automatic bids. It’s possible that the rules allow PAC 12 to keep the automatic bid. PAC 12, Big 12, Big 10, and ACC all have changed since their status was given. Do the rules say a conference’s automatic bid has to be revoked or re-voted on when-whenever a change to a conference happens?

[@lastpme]

So why wasn’t AFA included in this list?

[@acekelly1000]

OR UNLV

[@prman9984]

There are no more auto bids. But yes, if they get to 8+ teams they can take a bye spot.

[@Suchatool98]

If the PAC12 gets Boise, SDSU, CSU, and Fresno, they NEED to get two more schools - like a Cal or Standford if the ACC Collapses - BUT could this be all smoke? Because they are going into the MW via a reverse merger with those schools with an Air Force, a Wyoming, and a UNLV as the PAC-12? Then the MW survives and gets an Idaho, Montana St, NDSU, and SDSU some of the best perennial Western FCS powerhouses? Two other Western schools have long distances from their other conference foes that come to mind. While they might not be on the Pac-12’s radar, definitely would be on the MW - NM St and UTEP. I think the MW would look at those schools first before asking an FCS team that isn't the North and South Dakota schools.

[@Suchatool98]

Well the front half of this comment aged like spoiled milk….

[@rockerfarm6445]

II gotta say IF this is true I gotta say I feel bad for the teams getting left behind and I hope there'll be an effort to support them in scheduling, etc. if needed, also I hope they get enough money out of severance so they don't get any pproblems

[@pnwadventurer802]

Will never be as good as it once was. These teams added with OSU and WSU won't make it a P conference. Just a glorified G5

[@joeguerra8435]

Drake, you took a lot of heat for consistently sending love to the Beavs and Cougs for invitation to the Big 12 when the PAC2 was left all to itself. Things worked out for the PAC. College football is better because the PAC is now getting a new lifeline with the very good schools from San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State, and the V Fresno State. Go Cougs!

[@wheeler116]

The Pac2 are not subsidizing MW exit fees. The AD of oregon state said both schools are using the “war chest” to fund themselves at a P5 level for the next few years

[@crab1]

No way these four MWC are covering $111 million. The PAC-2 are definitely subsidizing this move.

[@Sabarsttv]

@@crab1yes they are paying the 70 mill but the 17 mill that each school has to pay for exits they are not paying for so they will have like 120 mill left for football

[@RonBevins-sw6uq]

Love your show. Watching from Yakima.

[@Darrius996]

IF WSU and Oregon State won this weekend it would be crazy cool. Extremely unlikely. If only WSU still had their QB from last year

[@BudFuddlacker]

Huh?? Cam Ward went 0-2 against UW

[@DuckRon626]

@@BudFuddlacker That was against a far better UW team than exists right now.

[@user-uu8wy5xs1t]

​@@BudFuddlackerCam isn't playing this weekend now is he.

[@CarlaJenkinsTV]

12:25 Now come on Drake. The reason why the SEC and Big 10 are the two richest conferences is because Alabama (SEC) and Ohio State (big Ten) have had the highest win percentages this quarter century. Winning does matter.

[@LoneWanderer727]

Disagree with Spencer on the Pac12 autobid. The P4 already have autobids. The highest rank gets one. Round it out to 6 with a Pac12 autobid (all very strong "G5" level schools). Then you have the 6 remaining at large schools who will in all likelihood be from the BIG10/SEC, maybe a representative from the ACC/Big12. It's more important to me to have representation from that pool of schools at that level. Gives the mid majors/G5 a chance akin to college basketball. And P4 schools that are losing 3 games or more don't get in (they don't deserve it at that point, no matter how strong their schedule. Win your games).

[@GR-bn3xj]

The problem is, the power four don't give a c*** about representing everybody or being fait. They want every bid they can get. They feel like they are being cheated out of the one spot for the group of five already. Their greed knows no boundaries

[@ryansuter4424]

The Dakota’s and Montana’s schools make sense location wise but what kind of Media benefit do they bring?

[@Redlaces213]

PAC 12 is back.. I like the add CSU, SDSU, FRESO & Boise State. Colorado State has a new Stadium 50k capacity

[@Redlaces213]

Get Cal & Stanford back

[@robertvose7310]

Good show- Both of you....

[@LockedOnCollegeFootball]

Glad you enjoy!

[@tylernelson3343]

@@LockedOnCollegeFootball Spencer do you think PAC 2 should get FCS schools or just one in the FBS

[@william_mac]

​@@tylernelson3343you are a total jackass!

[@FeathersAreForSissies]

I need some clarification. I have read the CFP selection process bylaws and I can’t find any mention of a power 4 automatic bid. All I see is that the 5 highest ranked conference champions would be automatic qualifiers with the highest 4 receiving first round byes and 5th seeded with the remaining 8 teams according to their ranking. According to that interpretation, that would guarantee a group of 5 conference a playoff spot but not limit access to one automatic bid. Most likely the four byes would go to power 4 conferences and a group of 5 champion would be seeded along with the other eight, but not necessarily. Example-had the 12 team playoff been in place in 2021, Cincinnati (AAC) would’ve been the 3rd highest ranked conference champion, followed by Baylor (Big 12), Utah (PAC 12) and Pitt (ACC). That would’ve left the ACC champion without an automatic bid and indeed out of the playoffs had they slipped one spot in the rankings. Now let’s imagine it’s 2028 and we substitute say Memphis or Tulane for Cincinnati and say Boise State or WAZZU for Utah in that example. It doesn’t take much imagination to think it might be possible that one of the power conferences might beat up on one another and end up with a champion ranked lower than 5th or even outside the top 12. The CFP rankings are, after all, subjective and have historically been heavily influenced by win/loss records. So it would not be hard to believe that, say, a 9-4 or 10-3 power conference champion might not be in the top 5 of champions or maybe not even in the top 12 overall. It seems to me that the playoff selection is still, at its heart, a subjective process with a nod to what the selectors deem are the most deserving conference champions. But I don’t see any bias toward the power 4 conferences other than what already exists in the whole process. What am I missing?

[@LockedOnCollegeFootball]

It's not a P4 auto bid by definition, but gimme a world where the B12/ACC/SEC/B10 champ isn't one of the 5 highest rated

[@FeathersAreForSissies]

@@LockedOnCollegeFootball As I said, admittedly not likely, but I did give an example if something like 2021 came along. Imagine a scenario where a power 4 conference beats up on one another and the champion has a relatively poor record or a second place team with a poor record wins its conference championship game. Two group of 5 conference champions could slip ahead in the rankings. Look, I’m only talking about the selection process rules here and the whole thing is still biased towards the power 4 (probably more accurately the power 2). And even if the process provides some equality to the lesser conferences, the revenue distribution for the playoffs probably do not.

[@letitroll610]

Its clear by the targeted 4, the Pac is looking to go "Big" in market/viewership and football prowess, so the remaining 2+ not expected right now to be NDSU, Montana st. etc, not sure if they want west coast only, or they looking at Tulane, etc.

[@randomnerd2332]

Drake STILL trying to push Oregon state & Washington state to the Big 12. Their pity party is over now they can't use the "we don't have a conference anymore" line.

[@DanFromOR]

Say what u want but I believe the CW, a linear over the air channel is a great deal for the pac this year. Half a million ppl watching you is more than ur going to get to watch a AAC game on ESPN+

[@bentonja668]

Lifelong Arkansas fan and I still trip out on how Arkansas kicked off all of this when it jumped from the SWC to the SEC in 1991

[@erose964]

We won’t mention Air Force & Hawaii joining the WAC & Arizona & Arizona State joining the PAC or Penn State joining Big 10.

[@slickricky55]

How did that work out?

[@CO_82nd_ABN]

I'm a life long Beaver fan, glad to see something going ... I think they should wait to expand anymore after this until 2026. Book as many P5, and P4 schools for all there schedules and hope they perform and pull in some other top schools into the program to meet the 2026 requirements

[@deliverydoctor]

This is so off. Cal and Stanford had a chance to stay with the PAC 12 to rebuild. Why would they want to come back before even one year of CFB games? Stanford had previously refused to play in a conference with Fresno St. and SD St.

[@Duck_Disciple]

I get it, but I also find it ironic. The Beavs & Cougs spent the last year basically claiming realignment is evil and now hate and hold the ducks/huskies etc responsible for the demise of the pac12… Then they turn around and basically end the mountain west by poaching all their teams. 😂

[@alexsandul5631]

Well said

[@slickricky55]

Survival mode means desperate moves

[@fakereality96]

RIP Mountain West.

[@callawtf]

It'll survive, they're still left with 8 teams, they can add NMSU and UTEP to get back up to 10. It'll survive.

[@MarketAndChurch]

You and Drake should do more shows together. You two are really good together.

[@jopp5334]

Boise St. brings in most of Idaho, not Wazzu

[@stevedonnie4077]

So the AAC exit fees for the Big12 defectors was $18 mil because it was within the 27 month window. From what I’ve seen it looks like the media payout is also below $10mil per team. To me, those seem like beatable numbers for the PAC12. If the MW schools are willing to pay $17 mil exit fees and the PAC is willing to pay $10mil poaching fees, I’d have to imagine they have a decent idea that they can get a media deal in a higher range than any other G5.

[@frictionhitch]

I suspect the PAC12 will attempt to equalize West and East. They are at 6 west which probably means they are currently looking for 6 east, leaving room for the ACC in the event that that happens. 12 Pac 12 schools can still add can add 8 and hit 20. The question is who are the 6 G5 east schools? Memphis, UTSA, USF, Army, Navy, Tulane. Then the ACC falls apart (it will) and you add even bigger brands( the SEC, B1G, and BIG12 are not taking all 19 teams) to the PAC. If you win games under that scenario you regain your power status.

[@jhs99990]

The simple answer is San Jose St and UNLV join the Pac bring in the San Jose and Las Vegas market plus some football success and then the MWC calls up Idaho Sacramento St, New Mexico St, and UTEP, as it’s unlikely the Montana Schools would be willing to join, Idaho has history in the MWC, Sacramento St has been interested in moving up and UTEP and NM St would be more than willing to move up and make geographical sense

[@ryansuter4424]

Time Zones! Right now all the teams are either in the Pacific or Mountain west time Zones. Would not be surprised if PAC 12 only adds schools from those two time zones. Might make an exception for a Texas or Florida Team.

[@kellywood6457]

Top 10 should be after are 1. SMU 2. Stanford 3. Cal 4. UNLV 5. Nevada 6. Texas State, 7. Wyoming 8. Utah State 9. San Jose State 10. Air Force. However hear my out what is stopping Utah from going back to the pac 12 if they get Sanford and cal and they get an auto spot in the playoffs

[@frictionhitch]

The ACC absolutely will fall apart. My most likely thought on what happens next is FSU and Clemson will go anywhere else. Miami, UNC, Louisville and Pitt will go to the BIG12. The leftovers are still better than G5. A national youngest brother conference will be born. Notre Dame works out a mutual deal between the BIg12 and the LBC (little brother conference) because they can lose to NIU and stay in the top 25.

[@kevinhampton6986]

Spencer, the OSU-WSU game last year got 1.48 million viewers. And Drake, once again, it was Oregon State that was the No. 20 team in tv viewership and was higher than every current team in the Big 12 except Colorado.

[@lorenzohaynes3886]

In the former Pac 12. They won't have that kind of viewership with MWC schools. You've gotta lower the bar. This will not be the Pac 12 or a power conference.

[@maccleezy801]

They were good and playing other good P12 schools that’s why. It’s about matchups not Oregon St that’s just a fact

[@kevinhampton6986]

@@maccleezy801 Well, I think you are contradicting yourself a little there. Yes, OSU was good. The Beavers were ranked most of the season. So when they played other ranked teams the games got really good numbers. But OSU's numbers were better throughout the season than they were for teams that weren't as good but played many of the same ranked teams. So, yeah, it was about the matchups but it was also about Oregon State. Fans want to watch games between two ranked teams. I do tend to agree that it's going to be tougher to get really good numbers with the new conference configuration.

[@toddkinsey4002]

Look for them to bring in the top 4 western AAC teams.

[@DocSkirv]

2026 entry. PAC12 v MWC deal expired. Poaching fees gone? Canzano thinks so.

[@stevedonnie4077]

Poaching fees aren’t gone until ‘27

[@DocSkirv]

@@stevedonnie4077 thanks for info.

[@JackFrost--5]

the PAC 12 should be: 1. Oregon 2. Oregon St. 3. Washington 4. Washington St 5. Stanford 6. Cal 7. UCLA 8. USC 9. Arizona 10. Arizona St 11. Utah 12. Utah St. or Boise St.

[@brandonunruh1822]

There is no need to wait for ACC. They can add Stanford and Cal at any time. They want to get to 12 ideally. So they will take the top 4 from the AAC to get to 10 teams with the door open to them in future

[@poco1174]

They should have simply added to the MW called it the Mountain Pacific conference with 6 teams in each division. To hell with the Big 12. Hey, they got Colorado! Just watch. Stanford and Cal will come Home. Maybe Utah, maybe ASU. Zona’s ego got to them.

[@tcgcardssayer1566]

air force and unlv. also, i can definitely see moves for basketball and baseball only moves. but i think most of the focus is football

[@frictionhitch]

The PAC12 just made themselves the SEC of the G5. Which G5 program is not calling today to discuss what it would take to join? They just became the courted.

[@ryansuter4424]

Keep the conference as small as you can while getting an automatic college playoff bid and a big enough media deal to be competitive.

[@ryansuter4424]

Surprised Las Vegas or Nevada was not in this package due to the TV Market.

[@InvictusDelat129]

Word is that the MWC commish and the PAC-12 reached an agreement where the PAC would stop poaching them for now to give them time to recover.

[@terryfox9344]

Thanks, guys! I could nit-pick some things, but at that time in the morning, everyone deserves a pass. Solid information and analysis.

[@drummssticks]

I agree not an automatic bid, however if these schools prove how good they are, then when the CFP is renewed then the PAC-12 could be automatic depending on how well they play the next 5 years

[@fishguyjordan31]

Is there a world that Stanford and cal come back? With the acc in a flux and the long travel why not come back to the home conference?

[@paulbegansky5650]

The only thing that stands, the conference will not be a power conference

[@jwht8424]

Could be a Big 12 merger. They want to get to 24. They need 6.

[@RoscoPColtrane17]

Love it! I hate seeing the old league die.

[@collin9324]

If possible, best moves would be Memphis, Tulane, Stanford, and Cal, and then add St Marry’s and Gonzaga for basketball

[@therealdarrell282]

Football alone because of the money is turning into the NFL. I like it because everybody has to play week in, week out. You might schedule a couple of soft games in the first two weeks of the season, but when conference play begins, your favorite school better be ready to play or get upset.

[@tonymartin3818]

You say that SJSU is the bottom of the MWC? They were tied for first last year and only lost out of the championship game by computer ranking. They also have won a MWC championship in the last 5 years, they are not the bottom of the MWC

[@keeganbrown9967]

Even though i prefer the Big 12 over the Pac 12. I believe UTSA should jump on this opportunity to join a bigger conference. We're growing fast and need to start thinking Big on expanding our sports programs

[@ericpz]

Will your channel now change back to Locked On PAC 12? 😂

[@rangersking6699]

Nah, there doesn’t need to be another locked on channel covering exclusively a g5 league

[@philford1730]

I am glad to see the Pac survive and OSU/WSU find a home, but these 4 new schools do not make this a P5 conference. No team draws over 30K a game, bad TV markets for the most part, no sustained success against the other P4 conference except maybe Boise. Should the ACC implode and Stanford and Cal come back they become at least borderline case. but adding UNLV and Utah St or San Jose St or FCS powers etc does nothing to move that needle. Excluding Boise, the other 5 schools have finished the year ranked in the top 25 AP since 2000 only 16 times,, that 16 out of 600 potential ranking spots in those years.

[@tiptoe38]

Please ,forget Cal and Stanford.ACC will not fall apart.

[@joebiggs.sc1231]

The complete stupidity of the teams that left the PAC12 for a better shot at getting in the playoffs did nothing for their chances and more than likely made them worse to get in by playing tougher schools hahaha

[@The_Bow_Show]

Utah State unlv to capture those markets makes sense to me. They have a solid football track record with some really solid alumni. If they were in a bigger conference I think they would be able to recruit even better

[@devinmathews7809]

I think UNLV and Allegiant stadium is more valuable than CSU

[@Nathan_Lara]

Mountain West is losing 15 conference champion trophies. I do believe they'll be fine and back fill with good teams

[@zacharybright9139]

Liberty to the PAC 12

[@brandonjordan4596]

I think the Big12 guy is greatly over estimating AAC. PAC-12 get to 10 and keeps two spots open just in case Stanford & Cal need a lifeboat in the future.

[@Adam_Mooney]

Huge 👏🏻 The Beavs don’t buy excellence, they build it.

[@pllsuperfan4ever256]

Go get some AAC and Sun belt teams.

[@pnut3844able]

This is just the first wave. I'm sure they'll get 4 more teams, as they have a certain amount of time to get to at least 8 teams.

[@jonathanchess731]

Does the MAC ever expand or they are just happy with what they are?

[@SportZFan4L1fe]

You heard it here first. Cal, Stanford, USC, and UCLA will come back to the PAC after 2-3 years.

[@abrahammorrison6374]

The Mountain West should add South Dakota State University Jackrabbits, North Dakota State Bison, Montana Grizzlies, etc. Getting top FCS teams in the Big Sky to go to the FBS Mountain West would be the next best thing to replace the teams going from the Mountain West to PAC 12.

[@therealdarrell282]

I think the PAC-12 takes UNLV because you can hold the championship game in Vegas. Nobody is going to a PAC-12 title game in Washington State or any of the schools added to the PAC-12. San Diego is cool and all, but it is not the same as Vegas.

[@rangersking6699]

Would presumably be eligible for an automatic bid would absolutely mean the 5th best conference spot..

[@HGRock-w4r]

If I was the Pac 12, I would add UNLV, St. Mary's, Gonzaga, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, ,Rice, UTSA, Also try to make a pitch to Cal, Standford, Cal, Utah, and or BYU.