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As the Big 12 continues to try and poach Pac-12 teams to join their ranks next year, the Pac-12 is targeting replacement schools to fill the void.
According to Will Backus of CBS Sports, the Pac-12 has a number of potential targets for expansion but two stand out as “top targets” for the embattled conference. Per the report, those two schools are San Diego State and SMU.
San Diego State would be a natural fit. Between its stellar basketball program, a football program with decent history and its proximity to the other schools in the conference, it’s about as good as any school they can get. Their recent falling out with the Mountain West Conference might also make them an appealing option.
“There was a time it seemed like an issue of when, not if, San Diego State would join the Pac-12 — and that was before Colorado announced its departure. The conference has a huge void in Southern California with USC and UCLA leaving for the greener pastures of the Big Ten, and San Diego State would go a way towards filling it. SDSU may have some complications leaving the Mountain West, however. It sent a letter to the conference on June 13 announcing its intentions to do so, but withdrew those intentions on June 30. Earlier this month, after clearing some financial hurdles, the Mountain West announced San Diego State would remain a member of the conference for the 2023-24 athletic season,” Backus wrote.
As for the SMU Mustangs, its previous affiliation with some current members of the Pac-12 as a member of the Western Athletic Conference along with its footprint in Texas makes the school appealing to them as well.
“SMU would have to pay a substantial exit fee if it wants to leave the AAC in time for the 2024 season, but the university would likely have donor support to do so if it meant joining a Power Five conference. SMU could be an attractive option given its Texas ties, providing the Pac-12 with a footprint in one of the country’s football hotbeds. The Mustangs were a member of the Western Athletic Conference from 1996-2004,” Backus wrote.
Here’s where the Pac-12 can turn to secure its future and bolster its ranks: https://t.co/l3zHQqm4c3
— Will Backus (@will_backus1) July 28, 2023
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Which schools do you think the Pac-12 should target for expansion next?