Texas State’s move to Pac-12 draws mostly positive reviews

Texas State was officially introduced as the ninth member of the Pac-12 for the 2026-27 athletics season on Monday.

The Pac-12 is now slated to be a nine-team conference in the summer of 2026 with current members Oregon State and Washington State, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State of the Mountain West, Gonzaga of the West Coast Conference and Texas State of the Sun Belt.

Texas State was a critical addition for the Pac-12 to reach the NCAA’s eight-team minimum to qualify as an FBS conference. Gonzaga does not compete in football.

The Bobcats also give the Pac-12 a sixth baseball-playing member alongside Fresno State, Gonzaga, Oregon State, San Diego State and Washington State. The NCAA requires six teams for an automatic bid to the NCAA baseball tournament.

Here is a collection of thoughts from college sports fans — most of which were positive — following Monday’s announcement:

Welcome to the Pac, Texas State! We enjoyed flying high with the @OMGFlag last season, and look forward to doing it again as fellow conference members. pic.twitter.com/Yo3RbzVUTe
— The Dam Flag (@thedamflag) June 30, 2025

In 2012, Texas State was part of the Southland conference, bussing to regional games against the likes of Stephen F Austin and UL Monroe.
14 short years later, they join the likes of Boise State, Washington State and more in the PAC-12. A lesson to other schools in how it's done.
— 𝙕𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝘼𝙧𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙙 (@ZachTheVoice) June 30, 2025

Bad day to be a cold beer in San Marcos
— Squarin’ Around: A Texas State Sports Podcast (@SquarinPod) June 30, 2025

I truly can’t believe this is happening pic.twitter.com/hN9rHPQa8c
— Barstool Texas State (@BarstoolTXST) June 26, 2025

The constantly evolving college athletics landscape.

From a business perspective, long term vision this makes sense for Texas State.

The Sun Belt is a tremendous league loaded with talent and mid-major athletic programs

But, network revenue is more lucrative with the PAC 12. https://t.co/B37F4Ks5Ce
— Shawn Clynch (@ShawnC_ATX) June 30, 2025

Texas State joins…

Washington State
Oregon State
Utah State
Colorado State
Fresno State
San Diego State

Pac 12: The new home of state collegiate sports (and Gonzaga) https://t.co/7Yjwdo1kjH
— 【ツ】チャド (@ThaChadwick) June 30, 2025

New PAC-12 conference better get that Allstate sponsorship

Oregon State
Washington State
Colorado State
Boise State
Utah State
Fresno State
San Diego State
Texas State
Gonzaga (State) https://t.co/YveCYByKmd pic.twitter.com/08aC4Iq1Tc
— Brandon ☈🇪🇸 (@ColoBrandoni13) June 30, 2025

Can’t call Texas state a “sleeping giant” but they are close. Good add https://t.co/Ojpx6jChO5
— Monty Miller, MBA (@MontyMillerTCU) June 30, 2025

Texas State basketball has no idea what it just signed into.

They're going from the 20th ranked conference to the 5th best conference in men's basketball.

I imagine they will be filling up that 10,000 seat arena more than 10% like they did in 2024-25 in 2026. https://t.co/UshUKqReVq
— Braden “Brady” Clark (@BradenTClark) June 30, 2025

Whew buddy, Texas State is in for trouble for a long time on the hardwood! https://t.co/qur2YR65z2
— CBB Nation (@CBBNation247) June 30, 2025

A few commenters remarked on the absurdity of modern college athletics where Cal and Stanford are in the Atlantic Coast Conference while USC and UCLA share a conference with Rutgers and Maryland.

Imagine someone telling in 2016 that in 10 years, Cal would be in the Atlantic Coast Conference & Texas State would be in the Pacific 12. pic.twitter.com/n3qlG3Le44
— College Sports Only 🏈 🏀 ⚾️ (@CollegeSportsO) June 30, 2025

People would’ve never believed you when you said one of these teams would be in the PAC12 and one would be in the BIG12.

Texas State is now the one in the PAC12. pic.twitter.com/I4mOIDM3sP
— Garrett Armbrust (@4thandsaturday) June 30, 2025

These conferences are getting silly… https://t.co/Wprn0hkS6a
— Nick Camino (@NickCaminoWKYC) June 30, 2025

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