Pac-12 expansion rumors: 3 G5 teams that can trigger conference realignment with potential move to join Pacific-12

The Pac-12 expansion is gathering pace after the addition of Fresno State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Boise State. The conference is under a grace period of two years from the NCAA to get to eight members, to be recognized as part of the FBS.

According to Yahoo Sports reporter Ross Dellenger, the conference's commissioner Teresa Gould revealed that there was interest from different programs.

"There's a lot of interest in having a high-level conference rooted on the West Coast," Gould said. "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 nostalgia about the possibility of a rebuild."

Several G5 teams have been linked to the Pac-12 expansion as the conference moves up toward FBS status before the July 2026 deadline. Here are three of such teams.

3 G5 teams linked with Pac-12 expansion

#3 California

It would be weird for the California Golden Bears to return to the conference that they already ditched. However, the Pac-12 expansion could take advantage of the instability of the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference).

Also, the court cases brought against the ACC's ironclad media rights deal by the Clemson Tigers and Florida State Seminoles could work in that direction.

On3's Pete Nakos reported that the California Golden Bears are in line to rejoin the Pac-12 due to the favorable Mountain and Pacific time zones of the teams that they would play as part of the conference.

The trips that the Golden Bears have to undertake this season include cross-country trips to play against the likes of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Florida State Seminoles.

#2 Stanford

The Stanford Cardinal being poached by the ACC last year sounded the death knell of the Pac-12. Yet, according to On3's Pete Nakos, they are a prime candidate for the Pac-12 expansion barely a year after leaving due to the instability of their chosen conference.

The Cardinal will have to make cross-country trips to play against the likes of the North Carolina State Wolfpack, the Syracuse Orange and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

According to Shelby Swanson of the 'Raleigh News & Observer', several ACC student-athletes have complained about missing classes due to the long cross-country travel. This could lead to the switch back to the Pac-12.

#1 Tulane

The Tulane Green Wave is the prime candidate to join the Pac-12 expansion as confirmed by college football insider Bruce Feldman on the set of FOX's Big Noon Kickoff.

"The Pac-12 has to add at least two more teams to get to eight and they have to do it by July of 2026. That would be in that two-year window where the NCAA allows them to basically reform itself and here's the interesting parts of this: sources tell me that the Pac-12 has some interest in Tulane and Memphis in the AAC," Feldman said.

The Green Wave would give the conference access to the huge New Orleans market and one of the best football programs in the country not in the Power Four. Their Central Time Zone access is another huge selling point for the program.

According to On3, the Pac-12 expansion is set to continue. The conference is poised to reopen talks with the college football playoff over their $7.8 billion television contract that will start in the 2026-2027 season.