NEW: Texas State LEAVING Sun Belt for Pac-12 Will DESTROY THE ACC In Realignment, Expansion Chaos Podcast By cover art

NEW: Texas State LEAVING Sun Belt for Pac-12 Will DESTROY THE ACC In Realignment, Expansion Chaos

NEW: Texas State LEAVING Sun Belt for Pac-12 Will DESTROY THE ACC In Realignment, Expansion Chaos

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 The "Pac-2" is officially expanding, and Texas State University is indeed on the verge of joining the new-look Pac-12 Conference, with an announcement potentially imminent! This move marks a significant step in the conference's efforts to rebuild after the mass exodus of its traditional members.Here's what's happening:The Need for Eight Football Teams: After losing ten of its twelve members, the Pac-12 was left with just Oregon State and Washington State. To maintain FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) status and be eligible for the College Football Playoff, a conference needs at least eight football-playing members. The Pac-12 had already added Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State from the Mountain West, plus Gonzaga (a non-football member), bringing their total to eight, but only seven football programs. Texas State is expected to be that crucial eighth football-playing institution. Financial Motivation: The timing is critical. Texas State's exit fee for leaving the Sun Belt Conference doubles from $5 million to $10 million on July 1st. This provides strong motivation for both sides to finalize a deal quickly. For Texas State, the move is a massive financial upgrade; they currently receive around $2 million annually from the Sun Belt's media rights, but the new Pac-12 media deal with CBS Sports is expected to pay schools at least $7 million per year, potentially tripling their revenue. Strategic Footprint: Adding Texas State gives the Pac-12 a valuable presence in the state of Texas, a hotbed for recruiting in both football and basketball. San Marcos, where Texas State is located, sits between major cities like Austin and San Antonio, offering a significant and passionate alumni base. The university is seen by some as a "sleeping giant" with strong resources. Program Resurgence: Under head coach G.J. Kinne, Texas State football has seen a significant turnaround, achieving back-to-back eight-win seasons and their first consecutive winning seasons since 2008-09. This on-field success makes them a more attractive addition. New Pac-12 Structure: Texas State would join Oregon State and Washington State, along with the Mountain West transplants (Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State) and Gonzaga, forming a nine-member conference with eight football-playing schools for the 2026-27 season. The conference recently secured an extended media rights agreement with CBS Sports as its "anchor" partner through the 2030-31 season. While the "new" Pac-12 will look vastly different from its storied past, the addition of Texas State is a strategic move to secure its FBS status, enhance its media rights, and plant a flag in a vital recruiting territory, as the conference attempts to carve out a new identity in the ever-shifting landscape of college athletics.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!RugietRugiet Ready is a next-gen prescription treatment designed to amplify arousal in the brain and boost blood flow. Head to Rugiet.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE to get 15% off today. GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at www.monarchmoney.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year.FanDuelRight now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
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