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The Pac-12 has not been able to find a TV partner for their new media rights deal to secure the conference’s future through the Pac-12’s 2023 football media day on Friday. The league must find a partner whether that be on live TV or streaming services such as Apple or Amazon to even expand beyond the ten remaining members. If no deal can get done, the conference will likely lose members such as Arizona and Colorado. Here is where I think every member in the Pac-12 is going if the Pac-12 disbands:
Arizona
Like I said in my Big 12 expansion post, Arizona is a perfect fit in the Big 12. Commissioner Brett Yormark wants to add the Wildcats because he wants to dominate the sport of basketball and Arizona has been at the top of the Pac-12 in the sport for a long time.
Best Fit: Big 12
Prediction: Big 12
Arizona State
At the beginning of Big 12 realignment discussions, Arizona State was expected to be linked at the hip of Arizona. But, the Sun Devils have not been as open to realignment discussions as the Wildcats. I think they stay in the Pac-12 for as long as they can.
Best Fit: Big 12
Prediction: Stay in Pac-12/Mountain West
Colorado
Colorado has always been a Big 12 school, they have just been in the Pac-12 for the last decade. The Buffaloes now have Deion Sanders as their football coach and an improving basketball program makes them the obvious fit as the Big 12 expands.
Best Fit: Big 12
Prediction: Big 12
California
California will not be able to head to any other conference without much value to any of its programs.
Best Fit: Pac-12
Prediction: Stay in Pac-12/Mountain West
Oregon
Oregon makes sense in the new Big Ten with former conference foes UCLA and USC. With Phil Knight and Nike in Eugene, they are the most valuable program left in the conference. But since last summer when the two southern California schools were invited, the Ducks have been left in the dark. So, if the Pac-12 stays alive with a new television deal, I think the Ducks will be there too.
Best Fit: Big Ten
Prediction: Stay in Pac-12/Mountain West
Oregon State
Oregon State will not be able to head to any other conference without much value to any of its programs.
Best Fit: Pac-12
Prediction: Stay in Pac-12/Mountain West
Stanford
Stanford had a successful football program during the better part of the 2010s but fell flat on their face with David Shaw resigning after a tough last few seasons as head coach. I doubt any conferences will go after the Cardinal without a quality football program.
Best Fit: Pac-12
Prediction: Stay in Pac-12/Mountain West
Utah
The Utes make sense in the Big 12 with rival BYU already in the conference now. But, that is the very reason why they are not expected to. Utah has one of the best football programs in the Pac-12 but will not attract any conference outside of the Big 12 because of their other sports programs.
Best Fit: Big 12
Prediction: Stay in Pac-12/Mountain West
Washington
Like Oregon, Washington was not invited to the Big Ten along with UCLA and USC. Seattle would be a great addition to the Big Ten and even out the conference out west. But, like Oregon I would expect Washington to stay in the league
Best Fit: Big Ten
Prediction: Stay in Pac-12/Mountain West
Washington State
Washington State will not be able to head to any other conference without much value to any of its programs.
Best Fit: Pac-12
Prediction: Stay in Pac-12/Mountain West
