Report: Fresno State has had conversations about joining the Pac-12

NS_headshot_clearbackgroundby:Nick Schultz•07/05/22•

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The Pac-12 is in an interesting spot, losing two of its highest-profile members to the Big Ten. Now, the search is on to replace USC and UCLA — and a Mountain West team could be in the mix.

Fresno State has spoken with the Pac-12 about potentially joining the league, according to The Fresno Bee’s Robert Kuwada. The Bulldogs have been in the Mountain West since 2012 after previously competing in the WAC, and they’re one of many teams who could try to join the Pac-12 in the wake of the latest conference realignment shakeup.

Kuwada also reported multiple other Mountain West teams could get in touch with the Pac-12 about making the leap.

Fresno State football — the sport at the forefront of realignment conversations — is coming off a strong 2021 season, finishing 10-3 overall and 6-2 in Mountain West action. The Bulldogs competed in the New Mexico Bowl, where they defeated UTEP 31-24.

USC and UCLA shook up the college athletics landscape last week when they suddenly decided to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten in 2024. That kicked off talks about other potential dominoes that could fall in this latest round of realignment, and The Bee’s report came the same day another report from WildcatAuthority.com said the Big 12 is gearing up to meet with four Pac-12 teams on Tuesday.

Big 12 to meet with four Pac-12 programs Tuesday

The Big 12 is getting ready to meet with Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado — four Pac-12 programs — on Tuesday, according to WildcatAuthority’s Jason Scheer. The meeting comes less than a week after the Pac-12 lost two of its biggest brands, reigniting the conference realignment conversation.

“Sources indicate to WildcatAuthority.com that there is a meeting between members of the Pac-12 and Big 12 that is scheduled for Tuesday,” Scheer wrote Monday. “As of now, the meeting is to discuss Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado joining the Big 12. It is not clear how far down the line the conversations currently are and this is not the first discussion, however, it has been stated that Tuesday is by far the biggest meeting of significance that has taken place.”