you think that New Mexico and UNLV will bring in the money for a media deal? UNLV was discussed for a possible B12 add by some podcasters, but New Mexico has never been discussed as a candidate for a power conference. In addition, both of those schools have not invested into their facilities. Look at the teams that have been floated as possible back fills of the ACC. Look at the facilities - who has built or upgraded their football stadiums? Those are the schools that want to put themselves in a position to have a seat at the table. Those are the schools to look at, and consider. If they wanted a MW conference, they could have that anytime they want. They took the top 4 schools of the MW, and they will take the top 2-4 schools of the AAC. Then they will add 2 to round out the East for a championship game. I don't think they are trying to build out a basketball conference.

I like big flagship state universities. Population of new mexico is only two million, but I would still rather have the number one school in a small state than the 8th most popular school in a big state. Memphis could wait to see if the ACC blows up, but this would be a marginal upgrade over the current conference. But if they decided to stay it wouldn't surprise me.

it appears it will be 5 years before there is a major shakeup on the "power level". It's difficult to look out 5 years, but from where I'm sitting, the existing power conferences will look much different. That means, that the P2. with their advantages, can expand with whoever they want too, with ND for now being the only exception. The ACC obviously will lose some top programs. It seems the only question is how many. The B12 is not exempt either, but there are fewer in that conference today that can make that jump. If you are not invited to the P2, you most definitely want to be in a position to be in one of the top 4 conferences, maybe 5. There will be a clear separation from the P2, but that does not negate two other conferences being competitive. Lets say the P2 picks up 4 ACC teams, where does the ACC turn to maintain their media and playoff money? Where does the B12 turn? I don't think both conferences will be equal after the next round. Either the ACC or the B12 will emerge as a stronger conference, not both. Where does that put the PAC, or more pointedly, all of the schools that continue to be left out of the power conferences? Either they band together now, or they will be splintered, and stuck with a bunch of teams that will never make the cut for a power league. I think the PAC goes after the teams that have been passed over by the ACC and B12, and they compete for that 5th highest conference champion spot in the playoffs. Every team that has been vetted by the B12 and ACC, or every team that has invested in their programs hoping to be considered by the ACC and B12, will line up to be a part of the PAC. ** Edited by Big12 guy at 9/19/2024, 2:39:59 PM

They don't give me confidence that they are in the running for a new PAC membership.

does the sport content come from?

They need a presence in the Bay Area. Then UNLV because of the Las Vegas area. That gives them 8 which is the bare minimum for a viable conference. Adding from there to get to 12, I’d say, in this order: New Mexico, Nevada, Wyoming, Utah State. That gives them 12 with East/West divisions, one in each of the western and mountain time zones.

no more regional teams that bring them any media value. They should pick up Memphis, USF, East Carolina, and look at other public institutions that have made investments in their programs over the year. Attendance and fan engagement in larger markets should be their focus. They should stay away from the privates as long as the ACC stays intact. No conference needs to be in the Bay area.

Then they need UTSA and USF as well. They need to take the best AAC football teams to give themselves the best chance at the CFP.

long these schools remain a member of the conference particularly if the ACC or Big XII are interested in adding them.

This conference won’t get a huge TV deal, so it has to way possible TV dollars against travel costs if the conference is widely dispersed geographically.

located on the east coast, then doesn't that open the discussion to include the other Sun Belt schools and even MAC schools?

The MAC especially seems to be pretty solid. No poaching from B12 or American or any others lately. SUN has only had the one school mentioned as a possible PAC target and I think it's only because they are in Texas near Austin. And I only saw them come up today as a long shot.

valuable to the Pac; Northern Illinois vs. a second Texas school or even Tulane. I believe Dekalb is only 1-2 hours (if that) from Chicago, IL. Northern Illinois is likely to have a slightly stronger football history than the second Texas school/Tulane.

attendance draws. These would be my first choices among G5s if academics is no concern. And they already got Fresno.