With the continuous realignment of conferences across college sports, the current situation of rebuilding the Pac-12 could cause significant changes to the ACC. The Pac-12 was most affected by conference realignment over the past few years, losing 10 of its 12 members. This left the remaining Oregon State and Washington State members scrambling to find opponents for its 2024-2025 sports seasons.
Despite all of the adversity that the Pac-12 has faced in recent years, the conference has been making waves in recent months, adding several new teams. The conference recently announced the acquisitions of Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State and Utah State. This creates an eight-team conference for sports except for football, as Gonzaga does not have a football team.
Rumors have been circulating that the Pac-12 is interested in many high-profile Group of Five teams, including Memphis, Tulane and Northern Illinois. Some FCS teams, such as North Dakota State, South Dakota State and Idaho, could potentially join the conference as well. Although many teams no longer look as likely to be joining the conference, there could be several ACC teams that the Pac-12 may be interested in acquiring.
The main two targets for the Pac-12 would likely be Stanford and California, as they are former conference members with success across several sports. The two teams combined for 29 total Pac-12 championships in their time in the conference.
Stanford and California are prime locations for Pac-12 teams, and returning to the conference might not be far-fetched. With the conference known as the Pacific-12 Conference, these two Pacific Coast schools could want to return to a schedule that would create fewer travel issues than the current one. The teams travel across the country for most ACC competitions and would have to do this for each sport, which might not be financially feasible for sports that make less money.
Although there is no direct indication that these ACC teams would join the Pac-12, there is always speculation in college sports. Whether it is for location or money, fans should not be surprised if the Pac-12 comes calling to ACC teams that might want a change of pace.
Ed Bish • Nov 11, 2024 at 10:21 am
This article is somewhat responsible. If they had done their homework, they would’ve noticed that Stanford and Cal are now part of the GOR in the ACC. Even if the ACC decided to wave the GOR penalty, out of the kindness of their hearts, which would never happen, it makes no sense for either school to move from a conference paying them $38 million per year to a conference that has no media deal, would be just plain stupid.
Paul • Oct 5, 2024 at 2:04 am
Potentially it could happen but likely won’t. There are couple of cases. First the ACC implodes after 2-4 schools leave for the SEC/B1G and then 4 schools leave for the Big 12. A bottom half of the ACC doesn’t earn that much nor does it get much TV exposure to justify the travel burden. Second, UCLA is at an economic disadvantage compared to most other B1G schools. The Bruins have 10M increased travel + 10M Calimony + 5M cost of living vs Middle America. The Bruins could throw in cards and leave the B1G and take Cal and Stanford with them.
SCA • Oct 4, 2024 at 1:33 pm
It’s all about the Benjamins. Stanford and Cal will go wherever they can make the most TV money for football and basketball. I was on Stanford teams that competed against CSUs San Jose, San Francisco etc. We weren’t any more or less special than the athletes at those schools. But the TV money is all that matters
Peeping Thomas • Oct 4, 2024 at 11:32 am
Those schools will never slum it with Boise State or Utah State. Ever.
Roland Espinosa • Oct 3, 2024 at 11:11 pm
Stupid article. Probably written by AI.
MICHAEL POWELL • Oct 3, 2024 at 7:34 pm
As a 50 plus year fan of The Pac 8/10/12, I’m convinced that ship has already sailed. Cal and Stanford are two of the most prestigious universities on the planet, and belong in the same league with Boise State about as much as I belong in Mensa! It is not going to happen! After missing out on Memphis and Tulane, I believe Sacramento State is the best choice at this point, followed by San Jose State and Long Beach State. Media markets and recruiting should be the two biggest priorities at this point, which means Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas all together have a grand total of ZERO to offer!
Wylie Roemer • Oct 17, 2024 at 3:31 pm
Agreed with PAC-12 recruiting SJS and Sac State…..But Boise State Broncos are getting players shunned by Cal, Stanford, Texas and Texas A&M and consistently winning. No Medical School, No Law School at Boise….didn’t seem to make Jeanty nervous.
M • Oct 3, 2024 at 6:12 pm
Whoever thinks Cal and Stanford or any other ACC team would leave a P4 FBS conference to join the PAC is crazy.
2Beers • Oct 3, 2024 at 5:24 pm
Your commissioner is delusional.
Rick L. • Oct 3, 2024 at 9:51 am
Can’t imagine the ACC wouldn’t have high exit fees in place and make it extremely unlikely the PAC would be willing or able to contribute enough to make it happen.
T Dog • Oct 3, 2024 at 10:48 am
“Don’t be surprised if the PAC-12 comes calling to ACC teams that might want a change of pace?” Standford and Cal have played, what, 4 games as new ACC members? The whole last two years of college athletics has been a “change of pace”.
M • Nov 12, 2024 at 12:10 pm
Someone named T-Dog commented basically saying the 2 ACC teams would be asked. They cannot come back, Stanford & Cal….They along with SMU who is another team the PAC would have loved bring in are locked in until 2036 in the ACC, unless somehow FSU and Clemson lawsuit would pan out. Doubt it though, plus again unless the NCAA & the FBS CFP commitee which is basically controlled by B1G & SEC and Notre Dame agreed to allow a new PAC to join the party and re-designate the PAC as a POWER conference, no power 4 conference teams will join them. None. They can’t even get the best AAC teams left to join. All they might be able to get in all honesty would be a CONFERENCE USA school like NM State to join along with SACRAMENTO STATE ( FCS team) not even the SUNBELT or MAC would join the PAC. Again, the writer of this article is delusional and anyone who agrees doesn’t know JACK about FBS football or how things work expansion wise.