Report: Utah State expected to join Pac-12
The Pac-12 isn't done adding new members.
Utah State is expected to take its offer to leave the Mountain West for the Pac-12, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.
The Pac-12 - which was left with only Washington State and Oregon State after college football's latest realignment - recently welcomed Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, and Fresno State as new members. They will officially switch conferences starting in 2026.
With the expected addition of the Aggies on Monday, the Pac-12 now only needs one more school to be deemed an FBS conference again.
The magic number of members to be considered a conference in the NCAA's eyes is 8. If Utah State joins the Pac-12, that league will be at 7. And if that's the only move of the day, the Mountain West will also be at 7 (including Hawaii.)
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 23, 2024
The Pac-12 targeted several schools in recent days, including multiple AAC members. However, Tulane, Memphis, UTSA, and USF publicly committed to staying in their current conference Monday despite the Pac-12 interest.
The Pac-12 also pursued UNLV. The Rebels were originally expected to remain committed to the Mountain West, but UNLV officials will evaluate their options in the wake of Utah State's move, according to Thamel.