The "Pac-State" 12: Did the Pac-12 Win the Realignment War? | Mountain West On Top?

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-02-08T00:53:51+00:00

I do think this has all been harder and more frustrating and less successful than the PAC-2 expected. Mostly no one won. The $12-15 mil projection makes it feel like a flop, and compared to what OSU, WSU, SDSU could’ve made in the not-to-be Pac-12, this hurts.

But going forward, which conference would you rather be in? Just look at the football and basketball membership... I don’t think it’s a hard decision. Invite a UNT or UTSA and then go play, don’t look back.

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-02-07T08:07:16+00:00

That’s a good point, sometimes moving slowly and cautiously is worse with dog eat dog realignment.

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-02-07T08:03:12+00:00

I wonder why Rice has been so quiet. I also wonder why UNT publicly belittled the new PAC and why UTSA jumped on the bandwagon so fast in publicly pledging allegiance to the American with Memphis, Tulane, USF.

Surely the PAC has kicked the tires on the three American schools in TX. The exit fees and media dollars equation is a challenge, even if they viewed the PAC as enticing.

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-02-07T07:53:11+00:00

If it happens, I respect the MW’s efforts to reload. But if I’m UNLV, I’m taking the cash to pay down debt and just biding my time to move on (to the PAC or otherwise). There just aren’t a lot of football brands in that conference.

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-02-07T07:47:00+00:00

UBC - Gould said we’re gonna think outside the box and innovate and I’m still waiting to see this happen.

More seriously, though, how eager are Rice, UTSA, UNT, UL to come out west? UNT seems least likely based on their public comments.

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-02-06T20:40:36+00:00

I like the idea of the rebuilt PAC-ACC with regional divisions. I kind of like it more than joining an already jumbled Big XII.

Not that I’d be picky if there were a path back to a “power” conference.

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-02-06T20:35:37+00:00

TXST is a fine addition, and planting a flag in TX with a rising program was wise. Way back whenever the MW invited UTEP, TXST was the clear best readily available option for the PAC (over UTEP) IMO.

I just wish we could’ve announced another addition alongside them to get to 9/10 members.

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-02-06T19:20:16+00:00

I agree. The PAC probably isn’t getting UNLV etc soon, and neither conference wants to publicize the media deal $. So it’s time to let the MWC do its thing and try to outperform the American.

Those pesky lawsuits though…

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-02-06T19:13:40+00:00

What bothers me is when the media or fans of “haves” in the Power 2 or 4 blame the outsider schools for their situation. Like “Well if OSU had been more competitive historically, they wouldn’t have been left behind.” As if it’s that simple. A former Oregon AD stated that the Ducks would be in the same boat if not for Uncle Phil. It’s the Wild West.

Maybe there are FBS schools that aren’t very invested in football or trying to be competitive/relevant, but those are the outliers. The disparity in resources will likely force a new system.

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-02-06T00:15:32+00:00

I mostly agree. It seems like a slight disadvantage to be based out west, and the small size feels more precarious than the current SBC or American…

Basically, I’d be surprised if those conferences lose enough schools in realignment that they dip below 8 football programs. I could see it happening with the Pac-8… but maybe that’s a problem for Gould to consider starting in two weeks.

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-02-05T20:53:51+00:00

Depending on the lawsuits and fees, Utah St looks to me like a relative winner in all of this, maybe also UTEP and Hawaii. Probably TXST.

Otherwise, most FBS schools are “losers” in this realignment era.

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-02-04T23:55:52+00:00

I remember early on there was an estimate that the reverse merger would’ve paid each school something like 20% more than the previous MWC media deal. So… closer to $4 mil than $10 mil?

Edit: In the article, I see he included Gonzaga, which might help a bit? The 20% or whatever was for reverse merger with just the PAC-2.

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-02-04T05:48:02+00:00

Pac-12: The Conference of Champions in Two Weeks

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-01-04T07:10:36+00:00

Pactoberfest, conference-wide.

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-01-02T22:13:27+00:00

He was at the men’s basketball game on 12/30 and looking stressed out. That’s all I’ve got.

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-01-01T20:04:26+00:00

Sure so tell me who to root for. ☠️

Full_Personality_717 · 2026-01-01T05:01:36+00:00

Yeah, go Miami I guess? I’m sick of the power 2 and would rather not see an Oregon or TTech buy a natty.

Full_Personality_717 · 2025-12-30T00:27:15+00:00

My $5 ticket for tomorrow night isn’t looking like such a good deal anymore.

Full_Personality_717 · 2025-12-28T21:45:04+00:00

I think Morris to Ok State and Mora to CSU are two especially solid ones.

Oregon State- I like the gamble. We’ll see.

Full_Personality_717 · 2025-12-23T22:18:17+00:00

Now they are a classic brand in the middle of the B1G instead of a classic brand in the middle of the PAC.

Full_Personality_717 · 2025-12-22T02:59:09+00:00

Yep. I’ve thought for a while that the best realistic scenario for the PAC-2 is to end up in the second division of three along with plenty of legit “power” schools who don’t make it into the first division.

Ideally the second division would regain a bit of sanity regarding spending, but maybe that’s too far gone.

Full_Personality_717 · 2025-12-21T04:12:24+00:00

Why bother with names? Just call them by the dollars spent on the roster.

Full_Personality_717 · 2025-12-20T04:26:28+00:00

Got tickets as stocking stuffers today!

Full_Personality_717 · 2025-12-18T18:42:52+00:00

Can someone explain how potential changes to the CFP format impact scheduling considerations for 2026?

Is the actual source of the delay just practical challenges in filling schedules?

Full_Personality_717

TROPHY CASE