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The Pac-12 is in the midst of a rebuild that should allow it to retain its FBS status. The conference was reduced to two teams, Washington State and Oregon State, after 10 schools left for the Big Ten, Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conference during three years of realignment.
However, four Mountain West teams, namely, Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Fresno State, applied for memberships and were approved. These teams will join the conference starting in the 2026 school year.
With these additions, the Pac-12 will have six schools but needs eight to qualify as an FBS conference, according to NCAA bylaws. Those eight schools must be in play by July 2026, the end of the NCAA's two-year grace period, which was granted to allow the conference time to rebuild following the unprecedented event of 10 schools leaving.
Teresa Gould, the conference's commissioner, spoke at the Media Days in July:
"There's a lot of interest in having a high-level conference rooted on the West Coast. There's a lot of interest in our communities and fan bases. A lot of people care deeply about the Pac-12 and Pac-12 brand. There is a lot of nostagia about the possibility of a rebuild."
With the knowledge that the conference wants to keep its brand strong on the West Coast, it can be speculated which teams might be considered, even though there is no public information available.
Two more MWC teams that could join the Pac-12
#1 San Jose State University
San Jose State is a program that makes sense for the conference to add. With San Diego State already joining, this addition would provide the Aztecs with an in-state and in-conference rival to compete with every year.
#2 University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The UNLV Rebels are another intriguing option. Having a team in Vegas would help the conference regrow its brand quickly in a unique market and could bring in new fans. Having a team that could bring in a lot of money is important when considering the high poaching fees the conference needs to pay to the MWC for taking its teams.
