Following the announced exit of University of Southern California and University of California Los Angeles, the Pac-12 appeared to be slowly, but surely, rebuilding. However, Colorado’s recent decision could end up being the tipping point for the struggling conference.
The Colorado Buffaloes were a member of the Big-12 Conference from 1996–2010 before coming to the Pac-12. Now under new head coach and National Football League Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, they return to the now-15-team league.
The official decision comes after the Colorado Board of Regents Wednesday in favor of the school’s departure. The future seems brighter for the Buffaloes, who posted a meager 1-11 football record and missed the NCAA basketball tournament as well in 2023–24.
The future of the Pac-12 however, is far more in question. With San Diego State’s decision to remain in the Mountain West, the Pac-12 is still searching for schools to fill the growing number of holes left in the league.
While the Pac-12 continues to work to expand and replace the three departing schools, they have another issue. Widespread speculation says that the Big-12 is looking to add more Pac-12 schools like Utah, Washington, Oregon and both Arizona schools.
The Pac-12 released a statement Wednesday addressing the loss of Colorado. However, it won’t do much to stop the swirling nationwide rumors and discussion of a possible mass exodus in the Pac-12.
This news certainly impacts WSU greatly, so the question is, what is next for the Cougs?
WSU is one of the few schools in the Pac-12 not rumored to be attempting to move to another Power Five conference but with the potential looming destruction of the Pac-12, they could end up in another conference anyway.
The Mountain West Conference appears to be the potential future suitor for WSU, with it being a prime conference for small market schools on the western side of the United States.
What are the ramifications? Aside from out-of-conference play, the Apple Cup is certainly at stake if both schools move on. Other big concerns include financial restrictions on the athletics program and the loss of Power Five recruiting privileges.
Financially, the athletics programs have taken on debt in recent years with the expectation of Pac-12-level money coming in to pay them off. A potential Mountain West TV deal might not be able to cover the expenses, especially if the new major conferences end up leaving the other conferences out on scheduling.
While nothing is final, things are about to get crazy, not just for the Pac-12 but for the entire college football world. Coug fans better strap in. Things could get ugly.
