Where Does the Pac-12 Go From Here?

[@mrterp04]

Ain’t a conference realignment until Dalukes checks in

[@SkylerMillerTheBronxProject]

They tried to kill the man but couldn't kill the idea. A geographically consistent conference.

[@Denozo88]

It only happens at smaller scale now.

[@Josh-ut4wv]

@@Denozo88 or if you are the SEC

[@Denozo88]

@Josh-ut4wv kinda. As the sec as become the southern conference to be fair.

[@Josh-ut4wv]

@Denozo88 yeah but the furthest west is Texas in many ways the south east is what many Americans think of as the south and the SEC has stayed in that area

[@Denozo88]

@Josh-ut4wv Texas is the break line. As a native Texan I will say east of Dallas is heavily connected to Arkansas and Louisiana. West of that is a mix betwen the border towns, Ok, and NM.

[@guitardude813]

"USC and UCLA joining the big ten makes absolutely no sense geographically" UConn: "Hold my beer"

[@isaachiltyhilty6804]

Same with Stanford and Cal joining the ATLANTIC CONFERENCE ON THE PACIFIC SIDE!

[@GratefulRobin]

Wait, did UConn confirm itself into the Pac

[@aaronthomas8190]

British Columbia Thunderbirds, welcome to the Pac-12! Seriously, I do feel sorry for the University of Hawaii football program. So much great Pacific Islander football talent - it feels like Hawaii *deserves* to benefit from all of that. But it's difficult to overcome geography, I guess.

[@reverend_wintondupree]

Geography certainly is part of it but that the school has also completely mismanaged itself after the June Jones era despite their continued success a decade ago and given all the islander talent available. The stadium situation is a microcosm of the poor planning, foresight, and dependency on others that's led to their downfall.

[@depaul1115]

Ahh I see you’re a man of culture as well

[@aaronthomas8190]

Good points.

[@sonicxxx100]

YES BRING IN A CANADIAN TEAM !!!!

[@mistakesweremade5786]

UBC student and CFB enthusiast here. A: this would never happen, our stadium can’t even seat 1k. B: this would be this best thing ever to happen.

[@empireonyt15]

i just hope hawaii can survive in the aftermath of all of this

[@BrownieCFB]

Definitely think they can

[@Guknowit]

They won't unfortunately, Hawaii will likely close their athletics NLT than 2030.

[@BrownieCFB]

@@Guknowit You have no clue what you are talking about. Your opinion means nothing, you haven’t seen any data, been to any meetings, and can’t predict the future

[@BrownieCFB]

@@Guknowit You completely made that up. You don’t know anything.

[@Guknowit]

@@BrownieCFB At ease there Einstein, it's only a calculated guess. Considering the fact that Hawaii athletics has been operating in the red for pretty much ever and are further behind now and the trajectory of their athletic finances are expected to plummet even further. It doesn't help that their athletics are trash right now. Let's also take in consideration the State of Hawaii financial woes and increasing "one way trip" homeless/junkie problems. Also, tourism is significantly down compared to 6yrs ago and is continuing to decline with no foreseeable recovery. People no longer want to travel to Hawaii as it is too commercialized, many North Americans are opting for Caribbean islands over Hawaii as they're cheaper and have a sense of identity. There is a large world outside of CFB that affects college football believe it or not. 😂

[@girlwithaguitar24]

I think a sneaky choice to add would be Wyoming. It connects Colorado State to the rest of the conference geographically, it's a longtime rival of Boise State and Colorado State, it's an R1 research university, and actually has the highest endowment of any MWC school. Them plus New Mexico, Memphis and Tulane seem most likely to me. To make up for those missing teams, I think adding the 6 Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota teams all together would make a KILLER conference alongside the two Nevada schools, SJSU, Utah State and Air Force.

[@RealBlueony]

Personally I see UNLV making the new PAC-12 eventually. They're already a bigger brand than anything left in the MW, if only cause of the 80s and 90s basketball success. They are an awakening giant in football too. I think Wyoming could work, but could just as easily be passed up in favor of Nevada (cause politics), or SJSU (market reasons). I would bet against New Mexico making the new PAC-12 for now, while it's a semi-large market, they underachieve so mightily. Instead, Utah State is very solid most years in football, and especially basketball, and would immediately rival BYU and Utah in terms of recruits. I also think the Sun Belt should worry about losing Texas State to the new PAC-12. If I were to bet, I'd say the PAC-12 looks like this- Oregon State Washington State Boise State Colorado State Fresno State San Diego State UNLV Utah State Memphis Tulane Rice Texas State MW would be the following- SJSU New Mexico UTEP New Mexico State Wyoming Hawaii (football only) Gonzaga (non football) Saint Mary's (non football) Montana Montana State South Dakota SDSU North Dakota NDSU Sun Belt would probably plug in Kennesaw State or Sam Houston State to replace Texas State, or add both and look at FIU for the Florida market, or potentially Delaware. The American would add Air Force and Liberty.

[@Denozo88]

​@RealBlueony as someone who goes to Texas State and has a feel for the program right now. Texas State is rising yes but the issue is 2023 was the best season in almost 20 years and this year is expected to be the only back to back winning seasons in almost 25 years. Texas State would die if they went up a tier in competition.

[@RealBlueony]

@@Denozo88 Fair enough on the point of them being not established, but keep in mind, this isn't the PAC-12 of old. It would be about on par with what the MW is now, maybe a half step above. I think Texas State could succeed in that kind of environment.

[@TraJonR3D]

🍺 here's to making bad, TERRIBLE!

[@imhappy5266]

As a CSU fan, what a Rollercoaster of a week. Huge Pac12 news... and then crushing defeat

[@kendonshirley6697]

You'll bounce back, brother. Your stadium looked awesome, and the fans were pumped. I'm glad to have you guys in the PAC12.

[@maxl.b.m.y.g.5918]

Idaho should be seriously considered as an FCS teams to make the jump

[@manzac112]

@@maxl.b.m.y.g.5918 Idaho is completely fine where they are and I think they're okay with staying in the Big Sky because that's where all their rivals are. Their only FBS rival is Washington State.

[@123hailhell]

They would need to build a brand new stadium to make the jump. The Kibbie Dome is too small. The only reason they made the original jump in the 90's was due to borrowing next door WSU stadium

[@Redflame2194]

Not to mention they already were an FBS team a few years ago, they dropped down to the FCS level in a rare move since it better fit them

[@joeykelly5642]

Idaho’s facilities are abysmal even by FCS standards. That’s part of why they willingly dropped from FBS

[@CiviGG]

@@manzac112 Let's not also forget that the NCAA have raised the financial requirements to make that jump through the roof. The application fee alone has gone up from $5,000 to $5,000,000 and schools have to as a minimum now fund 210 scholarships, which works out at about $6,000,000 per year minimum. Whichever way you look at it, just to make the move up and get into year 1 of FBS, you're already "spending" $11,000,000 without any of the actual operational running costs factored in and that's a BIG commitment.

[@ryansuter4424]

Clear and concise with a pleasant voice! Wonderful 👍🏼👍

[@jacksonperry23]

I was hoping you’d upload a video on this.

[@greenlightning1439]

I can't see Stanford and Cal joining the Pac-12 again even if the ACC does implode, which isn't a given. They seem to think that Wazzu, Oregon State and all of the schools that are joining from the MWC are beneath them. Cal might rejoin someday if they have absolutely no other options, but with the financial backing Stanford has I could see them going independent before they rejoin the Pac-12.

[@Robin-vf7oq]

Yeah, people are out of their mind thinking Cal or Stanford would have any strong desire to join a conference with the likes of Boise St. and Fresno. Not to mention that the conference would not have great support for their Olympic sports, that's probably not as much as a deal-breaker compared to the academic standings of the MW schools, but it's certainly another reason to look elsewhere. The fact that so many people seem to think these schools would be happy to join such an low academic standing conference really shows how little they understand outside of strictly football.

[@MarloSoBalJr]

​@@Robin-vf7oqYeah, we seem to base everything on football without looking at the other sports that drive just as much, if not, more money fornthese institutions. UConn would be irrelevant without basketball and Stanford is a volleyball mecca. Football is just a consolation prize

[@joey_bingham]

I think we need to add Utah State to the conversation of schools forming the new PAC. They are a geographic fit that can contribute to the conference in football and other sports, mainly basketball. It would also be good to bring the state of Utah back to the PAC.

[@Cooe.]

They would have made it in in the initial group if they hadn't literally just been found guilty of a MASSIVE federal athletic department fraud case. 🤷 The Pac-12 didn't want to touch that crap with a 10 foot pole. Those shady shenanigans literally might keep Utah State out of a good conference. If they join the Pac-12 it'll be in like 2026 when the heat and infamy has died down somewhat.

[@colorfulmarbles156]

Agreed

[@arlyntheawesome833]

While the NCAA swears you need 10 for a champ game, they've been known to play fast and loose with it. I'm currently seeing the PAC only going to 8 members (Memphis + Tulane) and as a conference making the most of a 7 game conference schedule to maximize their OOC opportunities. That's how these G5 (or lesser P5 if you really wanna give them that benefit) will make the CFP, winning your big OOC games against P4 opponents. Having 5 (more realistically 4 with an FCS warmup game) spots to buff your resume is both how a program elevates oneself to national relevancy and how a conference makes itself respected in national media.

[@JohnSmith-nf5gk]

That rule about 10 games ended over half a decade ago

[@Desert-Father]

CFP only needs 8 team conference to be eligible for a conference bid.

[@Cooe.]

​@@Desert-FatherConference bid yes, but a recognized conference championship game is whole different story.

[@MichaelDanger19]

We're just moving the problem from one conference to another, i've become completely disillusioned by the last few years of realignment. Glad you pointed out the ceiling for this is a top level G5 conference

[@CarlaJenkinsTV]

Buckeye fan here. I don't see the ACC imploding or Cal and Stanford returning. The ACC has won 2 playoff championships (yes, I know Clemson is suing the ACC). However, with the advent of streaming, ESPN isn't killing a conference that has won a playoff. In addition, the PAC-12 is vying for the TNT/Mountain West TV deal. ESPN would pay the Big 12 to add Cal and Stanford to keep them on ESPN versus returning back to the PAC-12 which would have TNT.

[@dmikes6411]

7:26 this frame goes so hard

[@jkmaster345]

I think its a $uicideboy$ reference 🔥

[@dantheminigolfwizard860]

It makes me so sad that Utah State was never even mentioned in the video a single time

[@Cooe.]

They would have made it in in the initial group if they hadn't literally just been found guilty of a MASSIVE federal athletic fraud case. 🤷 The Pac-12 didn't want to touch that crap with a 10 foot pole. Those shady shenanigans literally might keep Utah State out of a good conference. If they join the Pac-12 it'll be in like 2026 when the heat and infamy has died down somewhat.

[@colorfulmarbles156]

OMG FINALLY SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS ME

[@rangersking6699]

Scott Barnes saying they won’t add non football schools is wild. The mountain west better step in and add San Fran, Gonzaga, and Saint Mary’s from the WCC along with GCU from the WAC(they’ll be in the WCC in 2025). UTEP, NMSU, and Hawaii can stem the football bleeding if they lose Air Force to the American and UNLV to the pac. Use your exit/poaching fee and NCAA tournament revenue to profit. They’ll have anywhere between $128M(assuming AF leaves) and $157M(if UNLV also leaves) to convince those WCC schools to leave, it would be absurd for them not to.

[@Mateus_Carvalho]

A Mountain West with the Dakotas would be real fun.

[@TheFranchiseCA]

A conference championship game does not require ten football members. CUSA held one in 2023, with just nine members, and only seven were eligible.

[@maxl.b.m.y.g.5918]

6:18 where did you get Wichita State bringing their football program back?

[@David-lx4yb]

As long as we’re for some reason playing fantasy and adding disbanded teams, how about adding Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Long Beach?

[@nateg4582]

Probably from Ted Laso

[@mrclean30]

ITS HAPPENING

[@lukeontheplains]

a joke

[@terranceramirez4816]

My vote for necromancing old programs is the Denver Pioneers and having them play at Empower Field

[@JBone22931]

I am an alum of Tarleton State University. I am always surprised when my school gets mentioned on the national level. When I was there, we were D2. So, even to talk about the FCS or FBS, I am almost in shock, lol.

[@itsjohnnyr8560]

My wife is a Tarleton alum. Good stuff

[@MrP1ST0L]

Mo State to the American is a sneaky pick. Their TV DMA is the practically the same as Wichita, WSU-MSU was the Valley's ESPN marquee game every February, and they would have a top-5 basketball arena on day 1. Also would be a good rivalry to pair with Tulsa.

[@crane9224]

Great Video. Still waiting on the second history of kstate video 😀

[@kaih307]

Thank you for giving Wyoming some love we need it rn

[@Shadowman11]

Ahhhh yes. The "PAC-STATE" Conference.

[@MarloSoBalJr]

All state institutions without the private money to elevate their status

[@kantsh00t89]

Was waiting for this one

[@kumadarkangelXIII16]

Honestly this is the best video I have seen for the PAC survival and every team mentioned I would support to some degrree, and I am a midwesterner. Boise State would be my go to, unless Wyoming and/or Air Force made the switch.

[@xfacta334]

They're gonna hold a couple spots for ACC leftovers while completely raiding the AAC, SBC, CUSA & MAC to get to the level they need to get to. Top FCS teams best bet would be to stay put unless the Pac calls, the G5 is consolidating and those left behind will have some heavy decisions to make as those conferences fall. When all the dust settles there'll be 4 conferences left in the top level of CFB as the bottom half of FBS get regulated to a new subdivision or back to FCS.

[@oddoperator3524]

Make a video about G5 expansion (Like recent expansion, teams coming in next year, and who you think should join to get to like 12 or 14 or 16 teams)

[@TheDonkeyJote]

"Academics are no slouch either". That was certainly the case with the old Pac12. This one added Boise State. There are zero AAU universities in this new conference (WSU and OSU were the only 2 non-AAU Universities in the old conference). Reports are the Air Force has been talking to the American for a while now. So I think they've got a shot there. I can see Cal maybe coming back west if the ACC implodes, but I just can't see Stanford doing it. If the ACC goes down, I think Stanford goes Independent, and their non revenue sports either play in the Big West or they pair them up with Notre Dame wherever they go. And Stanford hopes for a lifeline to the Big Ten, maybe even as part of a package deal if Notre Dame decides to finally go to the Big Ten, and bring their arguable #2 rival with them.

[@MarloSoBalJr]

AAC definitely wants Air Force for the "military trifecta"

[@RealBlueony]

Hey Dalukes, can we get a "what happened to UMASS athletics" at some point? While not a UMASS fan myself (OSU Buckeyes for life), I find it fascinating that they went from being on a UCONN trajectory in basketball, to nothing after Calipari left, and also won an FCS Natty in the 90s, and now are even worse than UCONN. I think it could be a good thing to look at, and a cautionary tale about moving conferences too much and moving into FBS on the basis of one or two magical years. EDIT: the moving conferences thing would only really apply to football, as in other sports they've remained in the A-10. Which honestly makes their basketball collapse even more interesting.

[@Nohandleentered]

I’d like to see them do a beggar-thy-neighbor approach, be aggressive and target top or key teams from each G5. So besides the expected also go for Toledo, Miami-Ohio, Texas State, Louisiana, Louisiana Tech, and possibly New Mexico State Also, I saw a that Sac State’s Board met last week to prep a pitch to the MW and PAC so def look for them to move up soon

[@reverend_wintondupree]

Have a hard time seeing SAC St being able to garner the fundraising needed when they couldn't even gain enough interest for a new basketball gym and instead had to retro-fit/repurpose their student union center. All the other schools mentioned make sense but the MAC has been very steadfast in keep its members together, and having no real tie to western schools could actually hurt interest. NMSU would likely be paired with Utep for a MW entry. LA Tech has already tried the WAC, and have been doormats for far too long, can't see them going west again.

[@terranceramirez4816]

Northern Illinois would have to be the choice from the MAC. They’ve been historically good and are good right now, have the Chicago market and are geographically closer to the core of the PAC than Toledo and the others.

[@terranceramirez4816]

I think the PAC will nab Gonzaga and St. Mary’s. I agree about Montana, MSU and the Dakota schools for the MWC. I would definitely add Sac State, although I think there was a hangup with them last realignment where they didn’t want to upgrade their stadium to move up. I thought that C-USA had a GOR now though? I suppose maybe the amount in question is so small that it wouldn’t matter, but I would think that it would give teams looking to leave the conference a little bit of pause unless the conferences that wanted to pilfer it teamed up to apply the coup de grace, for which they would have to make sure that there were enough liferafts available to get the requisite number of teams to vote the conference out of existence.

[@NC-youtube]

I know this is going to sound odd, but I like the background music a lot. What’s it called?

[@danielmarley9922]

I never liked the idea of “Fb-only” or “no -FB” conference members.

[@denisdooley1540]

If the Pac-12 had had any sort of a leader when the Four Corner Schools bolted, they would have had offers to SDSU, Fresno, Boise State, Rice, Tulane and SMU. I do wonder about Colorado State though. There has to be a reason that the Big 12 didn't want to grab them to get their foothold in the state of Colorado back when they lost UC-Boulder to the Pac-10. A Hawaii for football only with Gonzaga filling out the rest of the sports might work, but I'm not sure how WSU feels about sharing a conference with the Zags. I do think you underestimate the interest of Hawaiians in football and the willingness of some power 4 teams to go play in Hawaii to give their fans a reason to go.

[@dennisallen-x3s]

wait if a conference has to have 10 teams to have a conference championship then why did cusa have a championship game last year with 9

[@the1hatman75]

The rule was removed in 2016.

[@Desert-Father]

Yeah its only an 8 team limit now.

[@BrownieCFB]

I’ve been waiting for this 😂

[@brandoncox1536]

They only need 8 schools total to remain a conference. They probably won't expand more than that right away.

[@xncobes]

“Central time zone triumvirate” is crazy work

[@floydthomas5562]

Call me a madman, but I can see Southern Miss being added over UNLV to stabilise the eastern branch further

[@itsjohnnyr8560]

I think if you add the Zags and St. Mary’s as non-Football members then you have to add Grand Canyon. They have the Phoenix market, are an emerging mid-major with tournament experience, have crazy amazing facilities, and academics is on the rise. They are moving to the WCC just to be with the Zags and the Gaels so I can see the three moving together to the MWC

[@avrowolf]

They need to invite Idaho and Montana for the ultimate connection to the PCC of old

[@jordandupre5726]

I was waiting for this video as soon as the news dropped lol

[@grapeapeductape2489]

Also I think Idaho stands a chance at MW membership

[@primeconor]

Remember your Q&A when I asked how this would go and you said it wouldn’t happen 😂

[@justinsmith1034]

All state schools?? They should look into San Jose St and Utah State

[@BagOfSuspiciousWhitePowder]

I would imagine the Mountain West would target South Dakota, SDSU, North Dakota and NDSU first, seeing as they're all FCS powerhouses and make geological sense. Behind those four at the FCS level, I could see the MW also targeting Montana/Montana State, Sacramento State, Northern Arizona or even Idaho. It'll be interesting to see what happens with Air Force too. Curious to see if the MW acts fast and announces a replacement for the 4 departing teams before the season ends or if they wait.

[@manzac112]

The four Dakota schools would not even think about going to the FBS level because of multiple different reasons.

[@BagOfSuspiciousWhitePowder]

@@manzac112 sorry to see you don’t know ball, lol.

[@manzac112]

@@BagOfSuspiciousWhitePowder Okay if you think I don't know, here are a few reasons that will make you think otherwise. One, the four Dakota schools would have to increase their scholarship requirements, which is a lot of money. Two, they don't have the revenue for the FBS level to accept them. Three, they are on the eastern side of the Dakota and they would be a geographical outlier. Four, they aren't going to give up their chance at playing for national championships for a meaningless bowl win. Five, most of their rivals are from the Missouri Valley Conference in football and their actual main conference is The Summit League. And finally, they might have to pay an exit fee to both conferences they are affiliated to and they would have to pay $5 million dollars to move up to the FBS level. Is that enough for you to understand?

[@BagOfSuspiciousWhitePowder]

@@manzac112 Wow that a lot of words, to bad I'm not raeding them

[@manzac112]

@@BagOfSuspiciousWhitePowder Well, that's what the Dakota schools have to go through in order to even get to the FBS level. If you don't like that, oh well. And, you not reading it really shows how wrong you are at how realignment works.

[@jeffersondiuguid9844]

Honestly I could see a 20 team "conference" with east and west divisions. Especially if the power conferences broke away from the NCAA, basically a single Mega-Confrence that picks the best of the G6

[@GeepReal]

I might be mistaken but isn’t it only an 8 team minimum for a conference championship?

[@Pbuff1807]

Only thing I’ve read is that in 2016, the NCAA removed the 12 team minimum and said conferences with less than 12 can have championships

[@SnoozaMusic]

I was waiting on this one

[@Supernova2464]

As a BSU fan I really hope this goes well for the PAC-12

[@roberthakchin8520]

Tulane, Memphis and Rice should stay in the AAC and hold out for ACC expansion

[@mattburke1869]

My predictions: -PAC12 adds Memphis, Tulane, UNLV, and one of Rice/UTSA. I think that keeping the pie small in a lower-end TV deal is more important than getting more markets. ->MAYBE two of Gonzaga/St. Mary’s/Wichita State come over as non-football, but I’m not seeing it. -Air Force jumps ship to the American, putting them back to 12 for football. -MWC adds NMSU and UTEP from CUSA, which would get them back to eight, the minimum needed. I’d be shocked if they could get the Montanas or Dakotas over, I think they’re content to dominate the FCS. And similar to the PAC-12, I think there’s valuing in keeping less mouths to feed in a smaller pond. -To be honest, I don’t know if much else would happen. Everyone’s at the conference minimums. I don’t think SBC or MAC teams would jump to an American without Tulane and Memphis. I don’t think the American would want anyone from CUSA, except maybe Liberty, but that puts you at 13.

[@bman3937]

Love the vid as per usual. I’d been thinking about this myself the last week or so since the news dropped, and you definitely gave me some ideas. Here is what I think will happen by 2027. I think that despite what the SEC has been saying as of late, I think they are still hungry to expand, and are willing to absolutely nuke the ACC to do so, taking FSU, Clemson, Miami, and GT (that Atlanta market 💰💰). This leaves the ACC scrambling, as Pitt also takes the collapse as a sign to dip to the Big 12 to hangout with their rivals in WVU, just like Colorado. Despite the Big 12 grabbing Tulane, Memphis, and USF to keep up with the big 2, the ACC manages to save itself from immediately collapsing by grabbing Rice, James Madison, and a frustrated Notre Dame. The PAC-12 grabs UNLV and Nevada together, along with New Mexico and Tulsa, purely because they are the 4 best leftover options to fill out there conference. The MWC manages to convince all of the Dakotas and the Montana schools to jump up to FBS (Maybe UCDavis and Sac St as well if Sac St can get their stuff together), along with NMSU and UTEP. The AAC replaces Memphis, USF, Rice, Tulane, and Tulsa with App State, an Air Force desperate to escape a collapsing MWC, UConn, FIU, and by reviving Wichita State. The Sun Belt doesn’t really do much after losing only 2 schools while the C-USA replaces FIU, NMSU, and UTEP, with the pair they are already bringing in with Missouri State and Delaware, as well as another FCS team (I’m thinking Villanova right now). Let me know what y’all think. Especially when it comes to the ACC and what FCS teams could come up to FBS, as I think that’s where the flaws of my realignment may be. But this is the best (and probably happiest solution) for all parties, except UNC 🤷‍♂️

[@Pbuff1807]

Where did you see the 10 team minimum requirement for a conference title game? I only see that it can be below 12 teams

[@tarheel7406]

The BIG12 was granted an exception at 10 members, so that likely became the rule. An even number seems mandatory, as the ACC tried for an exception after MARYLAND left leaving an odd number.

[@Josh-ut4wv]

First off they have one huge hurdle to get over and that is 8 teams as they need this just to surivive so there are a few possibilities. One add the state of Nevada with both Nevada schools. Two bring in the state of New Mexico with trying to get both New Mexico and New Mexico state. Three bring in former pac members not in a power conference Montana and Idaho these would also make sense as both are pretty good at the FCS level (heck Idaho almost beat the number 3 team in the country at one point this season) while they had money issues which is why Idaho moved back to FCS this wouldnt be the case here as they would have teams pretty close to one another. Once you get to 8 then your position is much stronger that you can look to add either from those options or else where but you need 8 otherwise it is a moot point.

[@primeconor]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention Idaho as a MWC member, they’re a previous member and are playing some good football currently seems like an easy promotion candidate

[@JohnSmith-nf5gk]

Doesn’t seem like they want to come up

[@manzac112]

@@primeconor Idaho was a part of the WAC, not the Mountain West.

[@nashmonti120]

@@JohnSmith-nf5gkthey might if the big sky gets punched in the gut, and with the stadium capacity rule being phased out as a qualifier from FBS, it could make it even more likely

[@xaviercowles1332]

So happy rice was mentioned

[@awesome123306]

As a wsu guy I'm hoping for rice Tulane Memphis and utsa would be huge

[@SD_BRFC1997]

So since this video came out two more moves have been made with Gonzaga & Utah State both joining the PAC 12 My guess is they’ll add these few teams next Memphis (after this TV deal stuff is worked out) Sacramento State Tulane (after this TV deal stuff is worked out) UNLV (after this TV deal stuff is worked out)

[@BitMadeIt]

Can the pac become a power conference again?

[@andypoole19]

UNLV makes the most sense to move to the PAC. I’ve looked more into who the MWC will add and I love the idea of moving up some Big Sky/MVFC teams

[@edlawn5481]

I can see UNLV becoming an elite program in the near future, much like the basketball team once. They can do what Miami did in the 80s, another program that before that did nothing in college football.

[@Djiehh]

I wanted to like the video for the Cowboy Bebop reference, but I found that I had already liked it. 😅

[@DanOhlson]

"stealing away San Diego State, Boise State, Fresno State, and Colorado State"...no one stole anything. They walked willingly...

[@Dreded100]

I gotta admit, as soon as I saw that announcement my first thought was ok, when is the Mountain West going to announce the 4 Dakota schools are joining?

[@bosserman444]

My real question is which conference is the next pac 12 in terms of getting screwed. Maybe the cusa, idk though

[@derronsanchez391]

If I’m in the pac 12, I am taking: 1. New Mexico 2. UNLV. 3. UTEP. 4. Sacramento State.

[@geesemeister5]

If I were the PAC12 I’d be calling SD St and ND St for sure! That’d be 8, then take in Utah State and possibly NM St or SJ St to round off at 10. Make it the State Conference! No need for east coast teams.

[@Red_5478]

Good shit as always man. Cheers 🥃

[@colorfulmarbles156]

They should add UNLV and Utah St. Also it’s 8. Although they should get to 10 by adding Memphis and Tulane as well.

[@terryfox9344]

I'm guessing that Air Force goes to the AAC, The PAC gets UNLV, plus 2 AAC schools in Texas, and perhaps Gonzaga. The MWC survives by adding at least 2 FCS schools and perhaps New Mexico St. and UTEP.

[@ohwaitchristian]

If the MVFC gets poached who do they reload with? EKU, Morehead State, maybe bring back WIU and bring EIU?

[@twomasta]

The American is in talks with Air Force. AAC is scrambling to play defense

[@danehammond5763]

A few things I'd like to disagree on/add: - I'm similar to you on the PAC. But I do think Hawaii could find a way in. Nevada is okay as well as an addition given the situation with UNLV. I'd also put Tulsa and UTSA in the mix as a peer university to Rice and Tulane to complete the eastern leg and wrap up the new PAC-14. - The Mountain West isn't going to have any luck with the FCS. Most of the Big Sky schools have little interest in FBS ball because of the travel and how, in NDSU/SDSU's case, are already big moneymakers. The only one I could see considering this new Mountain West is Idaho, as they have an FBS past and left the Sun Belt because of the travel issues. This MW is better for them on that front, so maybe they have internal demand for a return to the FBS. Also, the MW is generally a "high horse" conference that believes adding FCS is bad, so I doubt they'll even consider it. Sans that fact, the Mountain West's best chance is to think about the WAC from the 2000's. A decent number of the MW schools have been in a conference with the WAC before. UTEP, NMSU, Texas State, Sam Houston, and Louisiana Tech, maybe even North Texas, should get calls. The Fate of the MW depends on these four. If they make the move, the MW likely survives and C-USA is on the ropes again. - if the MW falls apart, I feel like the most likely breakdown is as follows: PAC: Hawaii, Nevada, UNLV American: Air Force, New Mexico, Wyoming C-USA: Utah State, San Jose State

[@nickredfield686]

“If the PAC wanted them from the Mountain West already, they would have been added in the first round of realignment.” Look at Utah State slithering, watch out WATCH OUT WATCH OUT!

[@ayooo9770]

As a Memphis fan and alum, I'm firmly against joining the Pac 12. It's only a slightly better conference at this point. With the impending mass exodus from the ACC coming up, there's no point in joining a western conference that doesn't offer much more with the strong possibility of a local established conference accepting us. As you said, the Pac 12 will be the new American. We've just been following a cycle: weak C-USA to strong American to weak American (which is basically the old C-USA) and now again to a Pac 12 at the level of the old strong American. I believe the ACC offers way more upside, and being a semi-local conference is appealing as well.

[@the1hatman75]

The ACC will be dead within 5 years and the American is about to get raided. Memphis needs to make a move now to even remain at the "old strong American" level as you put it, much less dream of chasing Power 5 status.

[@extragoogleaccount6061]

Oh, took me a moment to get what you meant but basically you are saying if FSU and Clemson left the ACC, but the ACC isn't completely destroyed, then Memphis is on the shortlist to immediately join the ACC? Gotcha. Yea Memphis and UCONN would be some of the first calls to make, I'd imagine. Works for basketball too.

[@Montfortracing]

But how soon do you think the ACC will lose FSU and Clemson, and then call you guys up? I don't think that'll happen soon though. I heard rumors that the Pac 12 will have a very low exit fee, so if they were to add you guys they know you'd want to leave soon. Sounds kinda odd, but I kinda appreciate their humility.

[@nateg4582]

Honestly think your tigers should go to the Big 12

[@ayooo9770]

@@nateg4582 That's the dream scenario but we've been off and on flirting with them for like a decade at this point. Every time they've expanded they have overlooked us in favor of programs like UCF which is mind boggling. I don't have much hope they'll actually ever take us

[@sawyertuide7636]

I wonder what happens to the PAC-6 and Cal/Stanford come the NFL-style NCAA Breakaway. Especially if the ACC falls apart just before the inevitable split. It’s easy to assume the PAC-6 will be left behind but Cal and Stanford, idk.

[@adamcompean9385]

The Pac should look @ USF great market!

[@Jamessmith-xk3fh]

I get recommended so many what should the Pac 12 do but what about the Mountain West what do they do if they lose anymore members to the Pac 12

[@Gerardo_Alvarado]

I'm a west coast kid, so it killed me seeing the PAC 12 being destroyed by the BIG 10 and Big 12. It also hurts to see the Mountain West now being destroyed by the PAC 12. Like a lot of fans we never wanted to see the original PAC 12 fall apart, due to money. I think both Montana's schools would do better in the PAC 12 rather than the Mountain West. UC Davis and Sac State might show interest in the Mountain West, but realistically they don't have the funds to. The 4 Dakota might want to stay in the FCS level, but I could see North and South Dakota state moving into a conference where the two Montana schools are at. These 4 schools are usually competing against each other in the FCS national championship, plus all 4 have big enough fan bases. It would be cool to see these 4 schools together either in the Mountain West or PAC 12. Memphis, Tulsa , Tulane, and Rice are too far East to compete in the Mountain West. The college football world is beginning to seem like conferences are now East to West instead of regional completion. The leading factor is money, not the fan base. In the US the people aren't seen as fans, but rather consumers. In the mists of all these changes I do like the 12 team playoff matchups. It allows more teams to compete with different outcomes, plus colleges are going to have home playoff games. PS. Big fan of your content

[@katomoto39]

Saw the news and was looking towards for this exact video

[@brodyrobinett539]

I believe the mountain West survives by bringing up some FCS powers, I genuinely think given a few years Montana and Montana St could bring more eyes to the MW then they currently get and with the addition of the Dakotas they might even be a more competitive football conference nationally rivaling the Sun Belt and American

[@njbrock22]

to me it makes more sense to Fold the MWC into the Pac and just merge the conferencs, but neither side wants to sacrifice the name and potentially give up a lot of money, also as you stated the Texas Teams in CUSA and the American can move over; as far as the D1AA teams in Cal they aint moving up... at least not for a WHILE

[@americansmark]

I've been hearing Ohio U and NIU have been in talks with the Big 12 and the remainder of the MWC will possibly merge with the MAC.

[@cashspicer6244]

I’ve never really bought Tulane or Memphis going anywhere but the P4. They’re in areas with declining demographics and almost all their student bodies come from the eastern half of the US (only 10% of Tulane’s student body comes from west of the CTZ). Tbh I think they’ll be in the AAC for the long haul. New Mexico has similar demographic issues to Memphis and Tulane but with a much poorer athletic department, so I’d bet they get left behind (at least for now). My sleeper for the Pac though, is Utah State. They’re a land grant institution in a growing state that everyone in the 6-Pac heavily recruits and they’ve had lots of success in revenue sports in recent years. Idaho returning to FBS feels very possible, especially if the Montanas move up. I feel like Gonzaga is headed to the Pac and I maybe Wichita St balences them out in the east. And finally, I think whatever the Pac does, they’re gonna leave a spot open for SMU

[@bobsbergers4166]

All State schools?

[@MarloSoBalJr]

The leftovers 😅

[@AmericanToxinWork]

I'm not an expert whatsoever and this is purely based off of my small college football knowledge alone lol but I think adding UTSA and Texas State would be really smart for the Pac 12 as Texas as whole is a decent market and both of these schools being relatively close to each other and already have a small history playing against one other could open the opportunity for more of a rivalry going forward, after that I think the other 2 should be Utah State and probably UNLV, but that's just me, I just got into college football 3 years ago so I def have way less of an idea of what I'm talking about lmfao

[@ryanm9628]

Memphis and Tulane will be added to the Pac-12. They will not go after any teams in the Mountain West, outside of UNLV. The poached the best schools already.

[@TimothyPowlas-js1dh]

The American adding AF makes sense, maybe Wyoming or New Mexico give a bigger footprint, but I think the last few teams that came on when the Mountain West raided the WAC are going to be out on an island. There is only so much money out there and the American will take a hit without Memphis and Tulane. Not sure if there is enough money to go around for SJSU, USU, or NEV. I do think UNLV and Wyoming get picked up along with Memphis, Tulane, and then Gonzaga and SMC. That gets you to 12 schools and avoid core for building a brand in football and basketball. Still not an AQ conference but strong enough to get a little more money than either the American or the MWC currently makes. But are any of the other G5/6 conferences ready to pick up the schools on the outside looking in.

[@mostly_baseball23]

San Jose State could be a good addition as they have a big TV market. and SDSU and Fresno will continue there rivalry with San Jose

[@WillCarmineCompton]

I’m a sjsu alumni and the teach has been horrible. But they’re about to put together consecutive good seasons The market makes sense if Stanford and cal never come back. Market only reasons it has to be SJSU, New Mexico & Las Vegas from mw Utsa too

[@TraJonR3D]

WOW! This "conference" won't suck at all!! Said NOONE, anywhere, ever.

[@sdtsimonjela]

Everyone keeps guaranteeing teams are moving from the American to the pac, but their hasn't been a TV deal announcement or any other motivation shared that would explain why an AAC school would leave for the Pac.

[@Dougiegoldstein]

It would be great to see ND & SD state get promoted to FBS level.

[@halogamersud21]

Dalukes and empire posting? Good fuckibg day

[@grapeapeductape2489]

Pretty funny how the PAC went from the most academically prestigious conference to… not…

[@tarheel7406]

The PAC was a clear #3 academically among the P5 going into this realignment.

[@georgelucas2571]

The California schools and UW to a certain extent carried the conference in “academics”. Oregon, WSU, and Arizona State are hardly “prestigious” universities.

[@ryanjohnson6558]

Why doesn't any list North Texas

[@the1hatman75]

I did! The Dallas market and local bowl tie-ins would be valuable. Good research institution as well.

[@woodAfrica2010]

Utah State would be good with keeping the SLC market

[@nateg4582]

Also add in their rivalry with Boise State.

[@ryansuter4424]

PAC 12 can either decide to be a regional conference ;by taking 4 more teams out of the pacific and mountain time zones and be the best of the group of 6 or decide to be a power conference and go get Notre Dame, University of Connecticut, 2 top teams that are not in the Power 4 that have football as there strength, Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s.

[@thealaskanbullworm1442]

i really hope the mountain west doesn’t go extinct, their logo is too cool for that