In a dramatic turn of events, the Pac 12 is on the brink of a major expansion move that could reshape the future of college athletics. According to CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello, the conference is set to target four prominent schools from the Mountain West—Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, and Fresno State—in a bid to stabilize and rejuvenate the league. An official announcement regarding this expansion could be made as soon as Thursday.
This potential expansion represents a strategic effort to solidify the Pac 12’s position in the college sports hierarchy. The four Mountain West schools in question are not only some of the most recognizable names in their current conference but also have previously been considered strong candidates for membership in a power conference. Their inclusion would bring a significant boost to the Pac 12, potentially restoring its status and competitiveness in the college football landscape.
Should these four schools make the move by the 2026 season, the Pac 12 will have just two more spots to fill in order to reach the minimum requirement of eight schools needed to maintain its status as an FBS conference. This is a critical goal for the league, especially given the recent upheaval in conference alignments.
In 2024, ten of the twelve original Pac 12 schools departed the conference as the grant of rights agreements expired. The departures were substantial: USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington moved to the Big Ten; Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah joined the Big 12; and Stanford and Cal transitioned to the ACC. This mass exodus left Oregon State and Washington State in a precarious position, relegated to competing as de facto FBS Independents for the next two years. This status also means they are ineligible for an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff, adding to their challenges.
Despite this uncertainty, Oregon State and Washington State have managed to accumulate a significant reserve of $250 million, primarily from NCAA Tournament units and existing contracts. This financial cushion provides them with considerable leverage as they navigate the current landscape. CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd reports that buying out the four Mountain West schools could cost approximately $187 million, a sum that could potentially be covered using the Pac 12’s existing resources.
The ultimate objective of this expansion strategy is to reestablish the Pac 12 as a prominent power conference. The league currently retains its “autonomy five” status, which could be maintained in a restructured format if the expansion proceeds. The next critical step for the Pac 12 would involve identifying and securing two additional schools to complete the conference, ideally institutions that match or exceed the quality of the six schools already in play.
Stanford and California are likely candidates for this expansion, though their current agreements with the ACC might complicate their potential move. Additionally, other high-profile Group of Five teams from across the nation could enter the conversation. A key challenge for the Pac 12 will be negotiating a lucrative television deal that can provide the financial stability and exposure necessary to restore the conference’s former glory—a major issue that contributed to the decline of the legacy Pac 12.
Recently, the Pac 12 and Mountain West decided not to extend their scheduling partnership through the 2025 season. This decision stemmed from the Pac 12’s attempt to reduce its financial obligations to the Mountain West in order to keep the scheduling arrangement intact. As a result, the Pac 12 schools are now faced with filling a significant portion of their schedules. If the expansion plans proceed, the addition of the four Mountain West schools would significantly improve the conference’s scheduling and competitive prospects heading into the 2026 season.
The potential expansion of the Pac 12 marks a pivotal moment in the ever-evolving landscape of college sports, with significant implications for both the conference and the broader collegiate athletics community.