Are Pac-12 expansion talks occurring to combat potential loss of four corner schools?
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The entire past year has been spent speculating who is a fit for the Pac-12 for further expansion to combat the losses of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten.
While programs such as UNLV, Boise State, and Fresno State are reportedly out, and programs such as San Diego State, SMU, Colorado State, and a mystery fourth team are candidates for expansion, the motive for expansion according to CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd may be different than what we were assuming all along.
In a report on Thursday, Dodd explained that the Big 12 has been making 'weekly' contact with the four corner schools, which consist of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah. While that comes as no surprise as the Big 12 has been extremely open about his desire to add the four programs, what did stand out was the fact that Dodd didn't refer to the Pac-12 attempting to add more programs as expanding, but more so "backfilling".
He went on to explain that the expansion would more so be in attempts to make up for losing more programs saying:
Pac-12 CEOs have reportedly authorized expansion by as many as four teams. However, one industry source notes that move may not be about expansion but rather backfilling the league should the Pac-12 lose those Four Corners schools -- or more. In other words, the likes of Colorado State and Fresno State wouldn't be expanding the Pac-12, they would be keeping it upright.
He continued saying:
The Pac-12 cannot suffer the loss of "even two" teams and remain a viable Power Five conference, veteran media consult Neil Pilson told CBS Sports recently. "I don't think they can afford to lose even two more schools. I think if they end up back as the Pac-8 or Pac-10, [it will not be good]," Pilson said.
If the Pac-12 loses the four corner schools in addition to USC and UCLA, it is hard to imagine a world where adding any other programs really matters. At that point, if the Pac-12 loses half of their programs in a year, they could add the entire American conference and it still wouldn't be enough to prevent implosion. It is interesting that Dodd's report comes just one day after Pac-12 insider John Canzano reported that the remaining 10 schools are staying committed to each other.
The Pac-12 is again in a do-or-die scenario, and while they have yet to go under, they have also yet to show any major signs of movement in the right direction.
