Where are things with Pac-12 expansion?

Washington State defensive back Tyson Durant (5) celebrates with defensive back Jackson Lataimua (2), edge Quinn Roff (20) after his interception against Boise State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 45-25. | Steve Conner

It has been over a month since Utah State officially accepted an invite to join the Pac-12 Conference. That move, which followed in the wake of Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State leaving the Mountain West Conference, put Pac-12 membership at seven schools that sponsor college football — Oregon State, Washington State and the five aforementioned MW schools.

Twenty-plus days ago, on Oct. 1, Gonzaga also joined the remade league, bringing total Pac-12 membership to eight universities, though another football sponsoring school was — and is still — needed if the Pac-12 is to be a viable FBS conference going forward.

So where do things stand with Pac-12 expansion now?

Rumors have been floating for weeks now about potential additions. Memphis has been thrown around a lot, even after the Tigers rejected initial overtures to join the conference.

Tulane and USF are in a similar boat as Memphis as important members of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), considered the top conference at the Group of Five level.

There have also been suggestions that Texas State is in the running after it turned down an invite to join the Mountain West to remain in the Sun Belt Conference.

And Sacramento State famously is trying to do anything and everything it can to make the leap from the FCS level — the Big Sky Conference specifically — in order to join the Pac-12.

Until an official addition is confirmed, those and other schools will continued to be bandied about as possible adds, along with basketball schools such…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/where-things-pac-12-expansion-224313616.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2024-10-24 22:43:13

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