There has been a lot of movement around the college football landscape lately. This year alone there are several conferences with new teams in them, or fewer teams, if you're the Pac-12. Everything is changing, and things are about to look extremely different than they did a few years ago, especially with conference realignment.
The Pac-12, a conference we already thought would soon be completely demolished, may get a complete makeover as soon as 2026. Initially, the conference faced significant challenges when its media rights negotiations hit a snag, with CBS and Turner pulling out of talks, signaling early financial distress.
This was compounded by strategic missteps, including the formation of an alliance with the ACC and Big Ten, which was aimed at countering the SEC's expansion but ultimately left the Pac-12 vulnerable.
The real blow came with the departure of several key schools. The conference lost USC, Oregon, and UCLA to the Big Ten, a move that not only weakened its brand but also its financial stability, as these schools were central to the conference's media market value. Following this, Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah left for the Big 12, while Stanford and California moved to the ACC, leaving only Oregon State and Washington State. This mass exodus was largely driven by the allure of better financial deals and stability offered by other conferences, which the Pac-12, with its miscalculated TV contracts and streaming deals, couldn't match.
And, that's how we got here - two teams in the conference with no real direction, that is, until September 12. The conference's revival strategy involved poaching four schools from the Mountain West Conference—Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, and Colorado State—effective from July 1, 2026. This move was part of a broader plan to rebuild the conference, and, they just might do it that way. Only, they got some things wrong.
This would make the conference only six teams, which is fine, but other teams deserve to be in more than the ones picked. Three, for instance, that I feel should have gotten in.
Three Group of Five teams who were left out
UNLV
Let's start with the most obvious one. This is the team, or school, rather, that everyone is upset didn't make it. Firstly, they are on the west coast, so that isn't an issue. Secondly, Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the country. And, Pac-12 already has ties with the city after hosting the Pac-12 Championship and media days there the last two years.
When you factor in the football program they have as well it makes even more sense. Barry Odom is building a program that looks dominant and one that could make the College Football Playoffs this year. Not to mention they have one of the best wide receivers in the country in Ricky White.
Wyoming
Wyoming, being in the Mountain West, is already on par with the other Pac-12 teams geographically. This could help in maintaining a regional conference structure. Wyoming has a strong football tradition, particularly in the Mountain West, which could add competitive depth to the Pac-12, something that will be needed in a new conference with new teams. Wyoming has historical rivalries with teams like Colorado State (the Bronze Boot rivalry), a team being put in the Pac-12 already.
And for the ones out there saying that Wyoming doesn't bring anything media-wise or money-wise, you tell me what else there's to do in Wyoming. They have a passionate fan base and are in a state where that's the prized possession, like Colorado and California.
New Mexico
The Lobos have been one of the more fun teams to watch this year, even though their record may not tell that story the same way. They compete and recruit fairly well. Not to mention, they would then have the appeal of an entire state, one that's large and on the West Coast, of New Mexico, which borders several other bigger states. Albuquerque is one of the larger cities without any major professional sports teams and could develop a strong local following for college sports, potentially increasing viewership and fan engagement, thus bringing in some good money.
New Mexico is a team that could also compete for the conference championship every year, so it brings parity to the conference as well.
Related: UNLV head coach Barry Odom just laid down the hammer on why his team should be ranked in the top 25
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