Pac-12 eyeing Mountain West schools as expansion candidates
Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, and Colorado State reportedly on the Pac-12 's radar
Expansion would give the Pac-12 a foothold in new markets and bolster its overall strength
The Pac-12 Conference is reportedly interested in expanding its membership by adding four schools from the Mountain West Conference. According to sources cited by The Athletic, Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, and Colorado State are all under consideration.
The move would give the Pac-12 a foothold in new markets and bolster its overall strength. Boise State and San Diego State are both located in major metropolitan areas, while Fresno State and Colorado State are both located in growing regions. All four schools have strong athletic programs and have been competitive in recent years.
The Pac-12 is currently a 12-team conference, but it has been exploring expansion for several years. The conference added Utah in 2011 and Colorado in 2012, and it has been looking to add more schools to its footprint.
The addition of four Mountain West schools would give the Pac-12 a presence in the Mountain West region, which is currently home to just two Power Five schools, Utah and Colorado. It would also give the Pac-12 a more balanced schedule, as the conference would have 16 teams instead of 12.
The move would also be a boon for the Mountain West, which would lose four of its most valuable members. However, the conference would still have 10 schools and would be able to maintain its status as a major Group of Five conference.
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