The New PAC-12 Explained By An Expert!

After 2023, everyone assumed the PAC-12 conference had been left to die, following in the footsteps of other power conferences like the Southwest Conference or the Big East on the football side. Multiple schools left for other power conferences after the failure of the PAC-12 Network and to find a great TV deal.

Washington State and Oregon State Are Back

Now Washington State and Oregon State, with the money they both had left over from some lawsuits, used that money to invite over some Mountain West teams to the PAC-12. Such as Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State, with Utah State joining later and Gonzaga joining everything except football, of course. Then almost got Northern Illinois only for the other Huskies to move to Mountain West to recoup some of the teams the PAC-12 stole from the conference.

Still a Member Short

With lots of new schools considered, such as UTSA, Texas State, Tulane, Memphis, and even USF, none committed. Texas State is still the frontrunner to join what some are now calling the “State Conference.” With this selection of schools we know about, especially the likes of the original members and Boise State, having their accomplishments, it is clear the revived PAC-12 has lost its power conference status.

But Maybe Already the Best Of the Group Of 5 Schools!

These schools have a history of punching above their weight. Boise State is naturally the frontrunner in this new PAC-12, having been one of the non-Power 5 schools that have come closest to winning a National Championship not named UCF. Even almost winning the Heisman last year with Ashton Jeanty. I’d even go as far as to say if their education was better, they would’ve joined the Big 12 a few years ago.

Other Schools Must Prove It

Colorado State has always been seen as one of the better Group of 6 schools, a tier below Boise State. A team bursting with constant potential but not consistent form. Their football program has gone to 18 bowl games but only won 6. The last coming in 2013. But their men’s basketball program is much more notable, making the Sweet 16 twice and the Elite 8 once with a recent MW postseason tournament title.

Another Impressive School Joining the PAC-12 Is Fresno State!

The Cali school has produced NFL-level talents before, such as Derek Carr and Davante Adams, among others. Its status as the biggest school in the group of 6 in California gives it significant leverage over others, being the go-to for leftover talent in one of the most football-talented states in the country.

One of the two California schools in the new PAC-12 that don’t only bring football to the table. They are also pretty good at baseball, with a 2008 College World Series title under their belt. They also signed a new head coach from FCS dynasty NDSU.

Next Is Gonzaga!

While they won’t be contributing to the Pac-12 on the football side, having killed their football program in 1941, the resources they poured into basketball after that proved to be well worth it. Washington State is the only other Washington school prepping to up their basketball program to have a proper rivalry with the Bulldogs. In the last 30 years in basketball, Gonzaga has won over 20 conference titles and has made the Final Four twice, producing many college and NBA stars, such as 2nd overall pick Chet Holmgren. He is playing in the NBA Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Let’s Talk About Loyalist Oregon State!

The team with the worst nickname here is the Beavers. A football program often overlooked due to recent struggles and instate rival the Oregon Ducks’ (also a terrible name) recent success. Having a Heisman trophy in 1962, not to mention being incredibly unlucky. With

One of their best coaches in years and best recruits both went to Michigan State after the PAC-12’s collapse. With them overshadowed in both football and basketball by the Ducks, it leaves them with a weaker brand than some of the schools now coming in. Though they have a strong college baseball program, winning 3 National Champions all since 2006.

Now Onto the Oher Cali Team, SDSU

The Aztecs are coming into the PAC-12’s as the other Cali team. They are a program that always had its wings clipped by the bigger programs. To fix this, SDSU was even talking to the PAC-12 a few times about joining before the conference’s implosion. These recent years have seen improvements in most of them, and they will be contenders in every sport and may even complete a sweep of the conferences.

With 3 Division II national titles and a 10-10 bowl record, they’re on paper one of the most impressive football programs here. Their men’s basketball team even went to the national championship game. A notable baseball program also puts them as the program with the best chance to raise their profile in the new PAC-12.

Now It Is Utah State’s Turn!

A program known for that one viral TikTok where the 3rd-string quarterback threw a touchdown on his first career play. The last Mountain West transfer team, which, like Oregon State, has been the picked-on little brother to both Utah State and BYU. They both broke through college football’s elite and made history in ways Utah State simply hasn’t yet. They are hoping to take advantage similarly and finally be on par with their in-state rivals.

This is helped by the fact their athletics history is fairly strong across the board. In football, they’ve been a coaching farm team for Power 5 schools, with the likes of Gary Andersen and Matt Wells leaving for teams in bigger conferences after leading Utah State to a Mountain West title. Utah State is hoping to continue that tradition of strong coaches this time around with more loyalty after hiring the awesomely named Bronco Mendenhall.

Utah State’s basketball program is nothing to sneeze at either. They have won 60% of their games all time. They even made 2 different Elite Eight appearances in their history. Winning the Mountain West Conference a handful of times as well, even as recently as 2024. They will give Gonzaga a couple of games to look forward to each year.

Finally, the PAC-12’s Other Loyalist, Washington State!

The Pullman, Washington-based university has been more widely known for its agriculture program than any of its sports. They have produced the likes of Ryan Leaf, Connor Halliday, Gardner Minshew, Anthony Gordon, and Luke Falk, making them a low-key quarterback factory. Even producing Running Back Jerome Harrison, who almost ran for 300 yards in one game in the NFL when he was with the Browns.

Of course, most of those QBs and their biggest stretch of success came with noted eccentric Head Coach Mike Leach, who left for SEC school Mississippi State before tragically passing away after having his tenure in the SEC ended with a big brawl among teams in his final game.

Their most recent Pac-12 title win, not counting 2024 because why would I—they had to win 1 game to do that—was in 2002 when I was born. Jake Dickert also saw a successful tenure with the Cougars but left for Wake Forest this year. Former South Dakota State Coach Jimmy Rodgers to take the open seat. This means the rival head coaches will meet each other once again in the new PAC-12. A disadvantage both of the loyal PAC-12 schools face is that now they have the two smallest stadiums in the conference.

The PAC-12 Should Go After San Jose State Or Stanford!

With every other conference throwing out regionalism for going with whoever, the PAC-12 sticking to it would give it a unique brand in modern college football. Getting Stanford, a classic PAC-12 school, to return would be a major coup and get eyes on this new PAC-12, with another historic program going back being a great look. Not to mention, based on Stanford’s recent form… or lack thereof, moving to a less competitive conference would be as good for them as it would be for the PAC-12. It would make the most out of all the former PAC-12 teams returning as well.

As for San Jose State’s case, if the PAC-12 does want to use regionalism as a selling point to fans. One of its biggest advantages is the local rivalries formed between schools only a drive away. But these don’t spawn overnight, and with the PAC-12 losing many of the classic rivalries that used to define it, such as Washington-Oregon, USC-UCLA, USC-Stanford, etc., getting as many as possible would be a smart solution to generate buzz among the schools for the new conference.

So keeping Fresno State, SDSU, and SJSU all together in the same conference instead of having it forced to be a week 1 or 12 game and using that to get students excited would be a smart thing to do.