Pac 12 Aiming To Add Four Schools As Wsu And Osu Rebuild The Conference

Pac-12 Shooting to Expand to 16 Teams Amid Latest Realignment

Regional Rivalries to Heat Up as Pac-12 Eyes Expansion

The Pac-12 Conference is reportedly in talks to expand its membership to 16 teams, a move that would significantly reshape the college sports landscape. Sources close to the situation say the conference is targeting four new schools: San Diego State University, Fresno State University, Boise State University, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. These additions would bring the Pac-12's footprint deeper into the Mountain West region and create new rivalries with existing members such as Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado.

Expansion to Bolster Conference Strength, Regional Footprint

The expansion is seen as a strategic move by the Pac-12 to strengthen its position in the ever-changing world of college athletics. By adding four strong athletic programs from the Mountain West, the conference would gain more revenue, improve its overall competitiveness, and expand its media reach. Additionally, the move would help the Pac-12 compete with other Power Five conferences such as the SEC, Big Ten, and ACC, which have all recently expanded or are considering expansion.

New Rivalries to Spice Up Pac-12 Competition

The addition of San Diego State, Fresno State, Boise State, and UNLV would create several new rivalries that would add excitement to the Pac-12 schedule. For example, San Diego State and Fresno State are just a short drive apart and have a long history of competing against each other in football and basketball. Boise State has a strong football program that has competed in several major bowls in recent years, while UNLV is a rising star in basketball. These new rivalries would bring added intensity and passion to Pac-12 games.

Realignment to Reshape College Football Landscape

The Pac-12's expansion would have a ripple effect on the college football landscape. If the conference adds four new teams, it would likely lead to a realignment of the conference's divisions. It could also impact the College Football Playoff, as the Pac-12 would have a stronger case for automatic qualification with a larger number of teams. The expansion would also put pressure on other Power Five conferences to consider adding more teams to keep pace with the Pac-12.