Pac-12 Shocker: Fans Divided Over Surprise Addition—What It Means for the Future

Is the Pac-12 really staging a comeback, or is this just another chapter in college football’s never-ending drama? After last year’s seismic realignment shook the conference to its core, the Pac-12 has been clawing its way back from the ashes like a determined phoenix — and Texas State might just be the latest spark in that rebirth. With their board set to meet imminently to seal the deal, the Bobcats look poised to leap from the Sun Belt’s shadow into the Pac-12 spotlight, joining a reshuffled roster that desperately needs them to meet football’s eight-team minimum. And while some fans cheer this move as a win-win, a few eyebrows are raised — is this the right fit, or just a desperate patch on a conference scrambling to stay relevant? One thing’s for sure: college football’s landscape is shifting faster than ever. LEARN MORE

The Pac-12 Conference has been doing its best phoenix impression, attempting to rise from the ashes of last year’s realignment in order to maintain its existence. To that end, they’ve welcomed in a number of new members, including one more that was added yesterday.

On Thursday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Texas State of the Sun Belt Conference is in “the final steps” of accepting a Pac-12 invitation. Per the report, the school’s board will be meeting this coming Monday to formalize the acceptance and have already begun informing the Sun Belt of their plans.

“Sources: Texas State is amid the final steps of accepting an invitation to the Pac-12, as it has initiated the process of calling a board meeting for Monday to execute the acceptance. Texas State began alerting Sun Belt officials of its formal offer and plans to accept,” Thamel wrote.

“The Pac-12 and Texas State are expected to finalize a deal soon, and the regent meeting will formalize Texas State’s acceptance. The move will happen for the 2026-27 school year.”

Sources: Texas State is amid the final steps of accepting an invitation to the Pac-12, as it has initiated the process of calling a board meeting for Monday to execute the acceptance. Texas State began alerting Sun Belt officials of its formal offer and plans to accept. pic.twitter.com/g7z4g9Yyvj

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 27, 2025

A number of fans on social media believe that this deal would work out for all sides. Some have pointed out that the Sun Belt doesn’t seem to love Texas State anyway, so they won’t raise a stink about the Bobcats trying to leave.

“This works out well for Texas State and the SBC. They were okay as member but didn’t do anything notable. Fans did enjoy trip to San Marcos. I hope the SBC doesn’t rush to fill their spot. LT and WKU will be available five years from now,” one user replied on X.

“Makes sense. Monday is also the beginning of the news cycle. Additional tv partners will follow,” wrote another.

“Good for Texas State!” a third wrote.

“The timing is interesting. Call the board meeting for Monday because the price to exit the Sun Belt increases substantially the next day,” another pointed out.

The Pac-12’s only active schools for the 2025 college football season will be Oregon State and Washington State. But in July of 2026, they’ll be adding six more schools to their ranks: Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, Gonzaga, San Diego State and Utah State.

However, Gonzaga does not have a football program, so an extra member will be needed in order to give the conference the mandatory eight minimum teams for college football.

Texas State appear ready, willing and able to fill that role.

Related: Pac-12 Begins Media Rights Negotiations Amid Member Departures