The landscape of college football has been in a whirlwind of change, particularly over the past year, with many teams from the Pac-12 opting to leave the conference. This shift is largely driven by financial motivations and the allure of more lucrative media deals.
The movement has not only impacted the former Pac-12 teams but also sent ripples through the Group of Five conferences, creating challenges and opportunities for these leagues.
The teams that remain in the Pac-12 face limited choices but are exploring potential avenues to navigate their future in college sports.
As the realignment drama unfolds, it becomes evident that the economics of college football are evolving. The introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities for athletes is one such change that has significantly influenced this environment.
It has reshaped traditional revenue streams and presented new challenges and benefits for players and teams alike. This new era of NIL money brings a transformative element to college athletics, altering how conferences and programs operate. Understanding these developments is crucial for grasping the current and future state of college football.
Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State & San Diego State Join The Pac-12
In a significant shift, Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, and San Diego State will join the Pac-12 starting in the 2026 season. This decision could greatly influence the larger landscape of college sports, especially the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
With these additions, the Pac-12 aims to restore its roster to a level that qualifies it officially as a conference.
Meanwhile, the Mountain West Conference, which is losing several top teams, will need to explore new options to maintain its standings. This exchange of teams is driven partly by the potential for the Pac-12 to secure a media deal surpassing that of the Mountain West.
Such a deal is crucial as it could significantly impact revenue distribution in college sports.
The Pac-12, which once held a prominent position in the NCAA as an autonomous league, lost some of its influence. This change affected its entitlement to financial distributions from the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Now, regaining that stature and possibly restoring automatic qualifying spots for the CFP are essential goals for the Pac-12 as it restructures and expands, alignments that are crucial for its long-term competitiveness.
Reports: Utah State/Pac-12 Move Incoming
Utah State is set to become the newest member of the Pac-12, marking it as the fifth school from the Mountain West Conference to do so. Though Utah State has not publicly confirmed the move, legal documents suggest that the invitation has been extended and accepted.
This change could influence other Mountain West teams. UNLV and the Air Force Academy were among those originally committed to staying in the conference, but recent developments might lead them to reevaluate their positions.
Pac-12/Mountain West Legal Dispute
The Pac-12 Conference has ignited a significant legal battle by filing a lawsuit against the Mountain West Conference. This legal action centers on what is referred to as “poaching penalties.”
These penalties might exceed $50 million, depending on how many Mountain West schools decide to transition to the Pac-12.
A separate fee of $17 million per school applies to those leaving the Mountain West. The Pac-12 is expected to cover some, if not all, of these charges.
This situation stems from a scheduling alliance created for the year, which included these contested penalties.
The core of the Pac-12’s lawsuit is an antitrust claim. They argue that due to the exodus of numerous member schools, the conference found itself with limited options.
With only a few months to finalize a schedule for the 2024 season, the Pac-12 asserts that this agreement was made under pressure, lacking better alternatives. This case highlights the complexities of college sports and conference alignments.
Pac-12 & Mountain West Do Not Continue Scheduling Deal Beyond 2024
The scheduling deal between the Mountain West and Pac-12 will not continue past 2024. The deadline to extend the agreement was September 1, but no new arrangement was reached.
Currently, Oregon State and Washington State are participating in a deal for the 2024 season, where teams from the Mountain West have scheduled seven games with their own members and one additional game with either Oregon State or Washington State.
Notably, both of these teams are not eligible to compete for the Mountain West Championship, despite paying the conference $14 million for their participation. This decision leaves both schools in search of new opportunities for scheduling beyond 2024.
Movement of Pac-12 Teams
In recent years, several key teams have transitioned from the Pac-12 to other conferences. USC and UCLA, along with Oregon and Washington, joined the Big Ten. Meanwhile, Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah moved to the Big 12. In another shift, Cal and Stanford opted for the ACC.
Which Teams Are Left in the Pac-2?
With significant changes in college sports, the conference once known as the Pac-12 is now represented solely by Washington State and Oregon State. These teams, now referred to as the Pac-2, remain after others like Stanford and Cal joined the ACC.
Despite an uncertain path ahead, Washington State and Oregon State have shown resilience, enjoying success last season and both securing spots in the AP Top 25 during that time. This shift marks a new era for these two remaining schools.
SMU, Stanford, and Cal Join ACC
In 2024, Southern Methodist University (SMU), Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley (Cal) joined the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This change is part of a larger trend of conference realignment in college sports.
Notably, these schools will not receive full revenue shares from the ACC for the first nine years in the league. This means that they will have to wait until 2033 to receive complete financial benefits.
SMU, previously part of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) since 2013, successfully raised $100 million in merely a week. This substantial fundraising effort reflects the enthusiasm and commitment surrounding their move into the ACC.
Legal Battles of Clemson and Florida State Against the ACC
Clemson and Florida State have recently been engaged in legal disputes with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regarding crucial contractual elements. This conflict has highlighted concerns over the league’s grant of rights and potential ramifications for college sports.
Frustrations with Media Deals
Florida State has been notably critical of the ACC’s existing media agreements. The university argues that the current contracts do not offer sufficient financial returns compared to those secured by other leagues, such as the SEC and the Big Ten.
This disparity is underlined by the fact that these two conferences are expected to receive nearly double the income from the upcoming six-year College Football Playoff deal, running through 2031.
Mismanagement allegations have been made towards the ACC by Florida State, focusing on the league’s television agreement with ESPN. Furthermore, Florida State is pursuing a court ruling in Florida to determine the legality and enforceability of the ACC’s grant of rights.
Clemson’s Concerns and Challenges
Similarly, Clemson has raised questions about the legitimacy of the ACC’s grant of rights, particularly concerning the procedures for a school wishing to leave the conference. Both institutions are exploring their options concerning conference membership, including possible exits.
Potential Consequences for the ACC
If Clemson and Florida State manage to successfully separate from the ACC, it would likely have severe implications for the conference. They are two of the most influential members in college football within the ACC.
Their departure could accelerate a domino effect, prompting other schools to consider leaving as well, potentially resembling the fallout seen with the Pac-12.
Legal Developments and Possible Outcomes
The legal environment surrounding these issues is complex. Recently, a court issued a temporary restraining order against the University of North Carolina’s board of trustees.
This order restricts them from covering topics like finances or conference realignment during closed sessions. The legal proceedings add another layer of uncertainty to the situation.
AAC and Pac-12 Possible Actions
The American Athletic Conference (AAC) was looking at the idea of bringing in the remaining schools from the Pac-12, but it moved away from those plans. The AAC argues against the “Group of Five” label, striving to rise above it.
Adding strong teams could position the AAC just below the major leagues such as the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, and ACC.
Despite losing UCF, Cincinnati, and Houston to the Big 12, the AAC continues to evolve. New members include UTSA, FAU, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and Charlotte. This shows the AAC’s efforts to strengthen its lineup.
The addition of Army as a football-only member further reflects the conference’s adaptive strategies.
Pac-12 2024 Conference Realignment News
The Pac-12 is currently navigating significant changes as it faces the challenge of maintaining its status as a viable conference. Oregon State and Washington State, often referred to as the “Pac-2,” are actively exploring their options with various FBS conferences.
These discussions include potential moves to both Power Four and Group of Five conferences.
A major focus for these teams is finding alternative scheduling agreements. For instance, they have established a unique relationship with the Mountain West, which might pave the way for further collaboration.
Should Oregon State and Washington State decide to leave the Pac-12 entirely, the Mountain West emerges as a strong candidate to accommodate them.
Another option is the AAC, but geographical distances have made this a complicated choice. For the Pac-12 to meet NCAA requirements, it needs a total of at least eight member schools.
Memphis, USF, UTSA & Tulane Staying with the AAC
Memphis, Tulane, South Florida, and UTSA have made a notable decision to remain with the American Athletic Conference (AAC). This move is significant because the Pac-12 had shown interest in these schools due to their strong performances, including participation in 2023 bowl games. Each school is situated in a market beneficial to sports conferences, but concerns like travel costs may have influenced the decision.
Their commitment not only solidifies the AAC’s lineup but also presents challenges for the Pac-12’s planned expansions. With the need for new members to meet NCAA requirements, the Pac-12 will now need to explore other options.
Air Force to Stay in the Mountain West
The decision for Air Force to remain in the Mountain West Conference comes amid ongoing discussions about potential conference reshuffling. Despite being considered by the American Athletic Conference (AAC) for inclusion, Air Force chose to stick with its current conference.
This choice aligns with the commitment of other major programs like Boise State and San Diego State, which have also decided to stay put.
Air Force’s presence in the Mountain West ensures it remains competitive while maintaining geographic connections. Playing in the Mountain West allows them to take advantage of their proximity to Denver, offering logistical benefits for travel and fan engagement.
The decision mirrors a strategic move to avoid fluctuations in conference stability, as the AAC had expressed interest given its already exclusive mix of service academies like Army and Navy, which are part of its football-focused arrangement.
Scheduling Plan Between Pac-12 and Sun Belt
Leaders of the Sun Belt Conference schools reviewed ideas from Oregon State and Washington State. These ideas included organizing games between schools in the Sun Belt and the two Pac-12 schools. Despite some potential benefits, the discussions were brief.
Conference presidents thought the travel distances were too long. They also felt that the possible financial benefits did not justify forming such an agreement, leading to the idea being dropped.
CFP’s Shift to 5+7 Format Affecting G5 Teams
The College Football Playoff (CFP) has undergone a significant transformation for the 2024 season with its new 5+7 format. This new structure will feature the five highest-ranked conference champions automatically qualifying for the playoff. The remainder of the 12-team field will consist of the next seven highest-ranked teams.
Before this change, the format included the six highest-ranked conference champions, along with the next six top-ranked teams. This prior structure created a more favorable landscape for the Group of Five (G5) teams by guaranteeing spots for at least two of them.
The shift to the 5+7 model means that a single G5 team will still have a place in the playoffs. This change has been necessitated by the departure of several Pac-12 members to different conferences, affecting the overall competitive balance.
Representatives from various G5 conferences played key roles in the decision-making process. These included leaders from Western Kentucky, Tulane, Troy, Buffalo, and UNLV, who contributed insights on behalf of Conference USA, AAC, Sun Belt, MAC, and Mountain West, respectively.
Mississippi State President Mark Keenum, who serves as Chair of the CFP Board of Managers, emphasized the logical nature of this adjustment, given the evolving landscape of college football conferences.
He expressed confidence that student-athletes, coaches, and fans alike would positively receive the new format. It was also highlighted that this reform aligns with the CFP Board’s initial vision set in September 2022.
As this format takes effect, much anticipation surrounds its impact on the upcoming postseason and the unique opportunities it could provide for all teams involved.
College Football Playoff Rules
In the current season, the College Football Playoff (CFP) has introduced a new 12-team format. The top five conference champions, as ranked, are guaranteed a place in the playoffs.
Additionally, the four champions with the highest rankings will automatically advance to the next round, skipping the initial games.
The remaining eight teams will be seeded 5 through 12, with matchups hosted by the higher-seeded teams.
Following this stage, the quarterfinals and semifinals will be played using the New Year’s Six bowl games. Consistent with previous formats, the national championship game will continue to take place at a neutral venue, ensuring a fair and balanced setting for both teams.
Can a Pac-12 Team Qualify for the College Football Playoff?
In 2024, the odds for a Pac-12 team reaching the College Football Playoff have grown more challenging.
Washington State and Oregon State are the only remaining teams in the Pac-12. Their exclusion from a major conference championship diminishes their automatic qualification chances.
Most of their former conference peers now compete within the Power Four conferences, reducing competition for these two teams.
Washington State and Oregon State have partnered with the Mountain West for the 2024 season, though they can’t compete for the Mountain West’s title.
This year highlights a transitional period where traditional paths to the playoffs are more limited.
The Mountain West’s current media rights deal with CBS and FOX, worth $270 million, spotlights the financial aspects these schools must navigate alongside their playoff ambitions.