Social media mentions that the "band is getting back together" in terms of former Pac-12 schools rejoining the conference, but this is wishful thinking.
The Pac-12 is planning to rebuild the league with additions from the Mountain West, sources tell @RossDellenger.
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 12, 2024
Boise, SD State, Fresno & CSU are applying for membership. pic.twitter.com/eLLkCZ0ais
Yes, there are credible reports that Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State are joining Oregon State and Washington State to resurge the Pac-12 conference, but the hope and optimism of some former Pac-12 schools are misleading.
It is also interesting to mention that all of the schools mentioned above end with "State." So does that mean Arizona State could join the Pac-12 and leave the Big 12? The simple answer is no. A more realistic option would be Utah State than the Sun Devils rejoining the Pac-12.
Pac12 After Dark is alive and well. Looks like the #Pac2 is about to grow to six with @Brett_McMurphy reporting Boise St, Fresno State, San Diego St and Colorado St joining the Beavs and Cougs. The question now is who fills out the next two slots. C’mon Utah & ASU.
— Jason Brooks (@brookskcbsradio) September 12, 2024
Fans hope that Pac-12 After Dark will return and that their schools who left the Pac-12 would consider rejoining the conference and leaving the Big 12. However, many factors, including money, make it very unlikely that schools like Arizona State will rejoin their former conference.
Then there is the question: What about Cal and Stanford rejoining the Pac-12? The vast majority of ACC schools reside in the Eastern time zone, so it would make perfect sense for them to return to the Pac-12 and play schools closer to them.
Oh WE PAC 12 now… SHEEESH!! Bring back Stanford and Cal the ACC doesn’t need them https://t.co/UtczgfOMeG
— Jayson Ortiz (@JaysonAOrtiz) September 12, 2024
However, that will not happen because, believe it or not, the ACC needs Stanford and Cal. Second, no team leaves the ACC; just ask Clemson and Florida State how that is working for them. Third, the money and stability of the ACC is greater than that of the new revised Pac-12.
The Pac-12 plans to rebuild by adding four Mountain West schools—Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Fresno State—after realignment left it with only two members and two years to meet the NCAA's eight-team requirement.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 12, 2024
Details:https://t.co/sSfPkBap1P
Yes, the Pac-12. If the news is correct about the four Mountain West schools joining the conference, the conference must add two more schools to get to eight to fully qualify as a conference moving forward. However, those two schools, like Rice, North Texas, or UTSA, will likely be from the AAC.
No school from the Big Ten like UCLA, USC, Washington, or Oregon is rejoining the Pac-12, and it is implausible that a Big 12 school like Utah or Arizona will leave to rejoin the Pac-12.