The Pac-12 is adding some new teams to the fold. Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State and Fresno State are set to join the conference in 2026. They still need at least two more teams to get to eight for the NCAA to recognize it as a conference. Here are more potential teams for the Pac-12 to add.
UNLV fits what the Pac-12 has been adding. They are going after Mountain West schools who fit geographically, but also have a chance to be competitive. While the Rebels haven’t had the best football history, they do have a team that is worth watching this season. In the short term, they could be competitive in football. Long term, they could leverage their city better to find more success in football and basketball.
Activating the Las Vegas market could be good for the conference as a whole. If the Pac-12 isn’t able to get some of the teams who are now in the Big 12 to join or return to the conference, UNLV has a good location, some recent success in football and a name fans will be familiar with.
Wyoming is another team that fits with the strategy the Pac-12 is currently putting out. They are a Mountain West team that has been successful recently. The Cowboys have made six bowl games since 2016 and they have had some decent basketball teams recently, making the NCAA Tournament in 2022.
Adding Wyoming would be the furthest east geographically the conference has gone, but in terms of DI options, they still fit. The Cowboys maybe don’t have the same basketball history as other options on this list, but with most decisions being football-motivated, they can provide another solid football team in the Pac-12.
One of the teams that has been left out of conference realignment has been Memphis. While they have some history and competitiveness, the Tigers are still in the AAC. They have watched Louisville, Cincinnati, UCF and Houston leave the conference over the years. Memphis has some good recent football history and have competed at a national level in the 21st century for basketball.
The Pac-12 would be going pretty far east to add Memphis, but their success in the American should be of note. If Memphis can handle the travel, moving to the Pac-12 would make sense. Their football and basketball schedules would be tougher, giving them a better chance to make the postseason in both sports.
There is a chance the Pac-12 tries to talk to their former schools about returning or teams from other power five conferences, but it is unlikely that they are able to get them. If that is the case, they may need to go down to the FCS level to get some more teams. There is the option to keep poaching the MWC, but they have already cherry-picked the best options from the conference.
That means the Pac-12 could go to the FCS level to find more teams. North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Montana and Montana State all have successful FCS programs who have competed with FBS schools. If they want to move up, a move to a smaller conference likely makes more sense, but it may not motivate the schools to move. Getting the nod into the Pac-12, and the expanded playoff, could entice these teams to move up a level.
Make sure to check out our college football page for more news and updates like Potential Teams for the Pac-12 to Add!
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports writers from great TGH writers!
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
