Whither Oregon State?

[citygriz]

The demise of the Pac-12 Conference is just unimaginable.
As recently as 2011, the conference signed the richest TV deal in NCAA history, and had three of the top six football teams in the country.
I put much of the blame with Larry Scott, the former commissioner, who was ousted in 2021.
But now that the conference has broken apart, question is, what happens to the four remaining schools?
Options:
Poach the Mountain West and try to re-form the conference.
See Stanford and Cal go to the Big Ten or ACC..
As for WSU and Oregon State, unless they re-constitute the Pac-12, I see the Mountain West as the only option--at a huge loss in TV revenue.
I'd love to get Oregon State Fan's views on this.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

You're on the right track, citay. Numerous re-alignment opportunities are possible and plausible. I personally believe Montana and Montana State (though MSU does not have as easy of a route to expansion as UM) have the facilities and fan bases to merit "stepping out & stepping up."
Add-on: The Mountain West Conf. today made a general "statement of unity," and indicated the probability of expansion to 16 teams in two divisions. It wouldn't surprise me if WSU and OSU have already heard from the MWC.

 

[citygriz]

You're on the right track, citay. Numerous re-alignment opportunities are possible and plausible. I personally believe Montana and Montana State (though MSU does not have as easy of a route to expansion as UM) have the facilities and fan bases to merit "stepping out & stepping up."
Add-on: The Mountain West Conf. today made a general "statement of unity," and indicated the probability of expansion to 16 teams in two divisions. It wouldn't surprise me if WSU and OSU have already heard from the MWC.

The MWC was smart. They put in a hefty exit fee of $32, which might prevent San Diego State from moving to a new Pac-12.
If the MWC added four teams they'd probably wish for Oregon State, Wazzu, Cal and Stanford. But if Cal and Stanford went to a Power Five conference (ACC or Big Ten) would the MWC still expand to 16 teams? And if so, who would replace Cal and Stanford?

 

[citygriz]

You're on the right track, citay. Numerous re-alignment opportunities are possible and plausible. I personally believe Montana and Montana State (though MSU does not have as easy of a route to expansion as UM) have the facilities and fan bases to merit "stepping out & stepping up."
Add-on: The Mountain West Conf. today made a general "statement of unity," and indicated the probability of expansion to 16 teams in two divisions. It wouldn't surprise me if WSU and OSU have already heard from the MWC.

I don't see any other options for Oregon State and Wazzu.

The MWC was smart. They put in a hefty exit fee of $32, which might prevent San Diego State from moving to a new Pac-12.

If the MWC added four teams they'd probably wish for Oregon State, Wazzu, Cal and Stanford. But if Cal and Stanford went to a Power Five conference (ACC or Big Ten) would the MWC still expand to 16 teams? And if so, who would replace Cal and Stanford?

 

[citygriz]

Latest rumor:
The four remaining Pac12 schools have hired Oliver Luck, Andrew Luck’s Dad, to essentially poach six teams from the American Conference for 2024, then come after another six MWC schools when their contact expires in 2025 and they can avoid paying those hefty MWC exit fees.
Targeted MWC schools: San Diego State, UNLV, Colorado State, Fresno State, Boise State, New Mexico.
All depends on a TV deal. Apple Plus anyone? All streaming services are suffering. Might be the jolt Apple could well afford.

 

[DoubleNicks]

Latest rumor:
The four remaining Pac12 schools have hired Oliver Luck, Andrew Luck’s Dad, to essentially poach six teams from the American Conference for 2024, then come after another six MWC schools when their contact expires in 2025 and they can avoid paying those hefty MWC exit fees.
Targeted MWC schools: San Diego State, UNLV, Colorado State, Fresno State, Boise State, New Mexico.

Charlotte, East Carolina, FAU, Memphis, Navy, North Texas, Rice, South Florida, SMU, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa, UAB, and UTSA are the 14 football teams in the AAC in 2023.

Although regionality hasn't been a priority during the recent realignments, I assume it would be for the remaining Pac4. So, I could see them targeting the 4 Texas schools (North Texas, Rice, SMU, and UTSA) and Tulsa, since it's in Oklahoma. The next closest school is probably Memphis (Tennessee) or Tulane (New Orleans, LA).

If they don't have to consider regionality, then they would probably prefer to get into Florida for the recruiting and markets.

Navy is in Maryland but maybe they would consider them if they end up having to take Air Force from the MWC.