The Pac-12 Is Back: How Did We Get Here? Who Will Play In The Conference?

The Pac-12 Is Back: How Did We Get Here? Who Will Play In The Conference?

Source: ESPN

Summary

The Pac-12 conference, which had been in decline, is set to return in 2026 with a new structure. The conference will include eight football teams, including five from the Mountain West and one from the Sun Belt. The new members include Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State, and Texas State, joining Oregon State and Washington State. The conference will no longer be considered a power conference, and teams must beat all Group of Six opponents to qualify for the College Football Playoff. Gonzaga will join the Pac-12 for basketball, increasing the conference to nine members in that sport.


Our Reading

This one felt recognizable early.

The Pac-12 is back, but not the same.

Teams with “State” in their name now fill the roster.

Boise State brings its blue field, but not its old power.

The conference is now a Group of Six punchline.


Author: Evan Null