{"id":118900,"date":"2024-10-07T10:24:26","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T17:24:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/herosports.com\/?p=118900"},"modified":"2024-10-07T10:24:27","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T17:24:27","slug":"fbs-pac-12-utah-state-conference-realignment-aggies-leave-mountain-west-cpcp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/herosports.com\/fbs-pac-12-utah-state-conference-realignment-aggies-leave-mountain-west-cpcp\/","title":{"rendered":"Pac-12 & Utah State Conference Realignment: The Aggies To Leave The Mountain West In 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Utah State is the fifth Mountain West<\/a> team that is going to the Pac-12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Aggies will be joining Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, and Fresno State as a Mountain West program to go to the former power league. Here\u2019s a look at what this means for USU and college football as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Reasoning For Utah State\u2019s Pac-12 Move<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Utah State could make millions of dollars more in its long-term future with the move to the Pac-12. But the decision could also prove to be risky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an interesting time for the Pac-12, which is currently down to two teams: Oregon State and Washington State. The Pac-12 needs at least eight teams by 2026 to be deemed a legitimate conference by the NCAA, and Utah State makes it seven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s unclear if these developments would make the Pac-12 an autonomous league once again, though. An autonomous conference \u2013 which the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, and SEC are \u2013 brings in more cash from the College Football Playoff and has a bigger say with NCAA decisions. Also, the CFP shrunk its number of automatic qualifying spots for league champions from six to five after the Pac-12 nearly dissolved, and it doesn\u2019t appear like that number will go back up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, reportedly, Pac-12 leaders think the conference can strike a media deal worth more than the Mountain West\u2019s, and money has been a key factor in conference realignment decisions recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Is Utah State Joining The Pac-12?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

USU will join the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026, so the Aggies will be in their new conference for the 2026 football season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mountain West Teams Going To The Pac-12<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State, and Fresno State were the first four teams from the Mountain West to announce they were going to the Pac-12. Then Utah State accepted an invite as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are thrilled to welcome Utah State University to the Pac-12, as they join us on this exciting journey forward,\u201d Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould said in a press release. \u201cWith President Elizabeth Cantwell and Athletics Director Diana Sabau at the helm, Utah State brings invaluable strategic insights and leadership that will greatly benefit our conference and its members as well as a history of competitive excellence and success. Today marks another exciting step for the Pac-12 \u2013 and it\u2019s just the beginning of phase two.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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