The PAC-12 (Pack2) is back! On Thursday, the conference announced the admission of four new schools, including Boise State San Diego State, Colorado State and Fresno State, effective in 2026.
The PAC-12 is now the PAC-6 (or Six PAC). And they are not done yet.
The NCAA requires a conference to have a minimum of eight schools to be a Division One power conference. That means the PAC-6 must add two more schools to meet that requirement. They have until the 2026 season to do so.
So, what happens next for the PAC-12? The new version of the PAC-12 also announced the six proposed members will begin discussions on what schools will be considered. This is where it could get very interesting.
There are already multiple reports on who the PAC-12 will bring in to meet the eight school requirement. Alphabetically, we have heard Air Force, California, Memphis, Nevada, New Mexico, North Texas, Rice, Stanford, Tulane, UNLV and UTSA.
Wow, that’s a big menu to consider.
But first let’s talk about the size of the next wave of expansion for the PAC-12.
It’s automatically assume the conference will add two more schools to meet the eight school NCAA requirement. But an eight school conference means a seven team schedule, not the best scenario.
Adding four more schools would bring the conference back to a PAC-10. That scenario would require a nine- game schedule and add to the conference’s legitimacy as a power conference. However, the revenue pie would result in a smaller slice for each school. Another scenario will be to add three more schools. That would result in an eight-game schedule. Which ever scenario the conference chooses will shake up the realignment landscape.
There is one scenario that would be intriguing…the ACC.
The ACC currently has seventeen(17) schools playing football. If the ACC loses FSU and Clemson, there could be a situation where Cal and Stanford return to the PAC. That could be life-threatening for the ACC. Other schools may also leave for greener pasture, meaning money. It’s a scenario worth watching.
It’s time to speculate. Lets say the ACC loses FSU and Clemson. The PAC-12 entices Stanford and Cal to return and attracts UTSA and UNLV to join the conference.
The PAC-10 is back and the ACC is left scrambling. What would be next for the ACC?
Such a scenario is unlikely but so were all the previous alignment moves.
Stay tuned!
GO CANES!
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