It was September 12 when the news broke that the Pac-12 was expanding, adding four new teams for the 2026-27 academic year. Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State will leave the Mountain West Conference and join the Pac-12. However, the Pacific-12 Conference needs to add two more teams before 2026 to be seen as a Power Conference.
Several teams are on the radar, with Memphis and Tulane, two teams from the AAC, being options. Sources from both teams close to On3 have said they are in no rush to leave their current conference as they evaluate their options.
Are Memphis and Tulane in a Better Position Staying Put?
The opportunity to join a Power 5 Conference should not be sniffed at. However, the Pac-12 is not at the same strength, even with the addition of the four teams from the Mountain West Conference. Reports suggesting both AAC programs will weigh their options before making any decisions will likely determine the next moves in conference realignment.
Along with the Memphis and Tulane news, it was reported that the AAC was looking to add the Air Force from the Mountain West. Talks between the conference and the program have fallen through, with the Air Force now a top target again. If the move does occur, the AAC would have all three military academy teams in the conference.
The Pac-12 is looking at numerous teams, including Memphis and Tulane. Unless the Atlantic Coastal Conference is the next to collapse, no former Pac-12 teams will be heading back. It means the conference has limited options for teams they could target. Whoever they bring in, the conference brand is strong, which could make it a good move financially for Memphis and Tulane.
The Tigers and Green Wave are contenders in the AAC and will likely be that for most seasons. This gives them a foot up of making the 12-team playoff, with one spot guaranteed for a Group of 5 Conference champion. The top four highest-ranked conference champions make the top four and get a first-round bye. If the Pac-12 becomes a Power 5 conference again, it’s not guaranteed the conference champion will make the top four or even make the 12 teams due to the strength of the schedule.
The other issue is travel, with Memphis and Tulane sometimes traveling out West to play. However, the main selling point will be money. Can the Pac-12 show the two teams that once they are a Power 5 Conference again, the brand will be able to pull in similar cash or more than the AAC going forward? That will be the big selling point for those programs.
Which Other Teams Could the Pac-12 Add Before 2026?
As mentioned, unless the ACC does capitulate like it has been reported could happen, Stanford and California are out of the question, as are other former Pac-12 teams. This means that they will have to look at Group of 5 or FCS teams.
Going back to the Mountain West and adding Air Force and UNLV has been discussed, which is likely why the AAC has opened talks with the Falcons. UNLV would mean they add the Las Vegas market. They could target basketball schools in Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s. FCS schools haven’t been discussed much, with North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Montana, and Montana State as four of the bigger teams from the FCS.
Oregon State AD Scott Barnes has said he expects the Pac-12 to expand quickly, although they do have until 2026 to add more teams. We will see how fast things happen, but Memphis and Tulane are waiting to see what’s next in conference realignment before making their move.
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