The 10 programs that may get left behind in this wave of realignment

Not every school will be making a jump to a better conference

Author:
Kevin Borba
Publish date:
Aug 3, 2023 4:39 PM EDT

In this story:

Stanford Cardinal

SMU Mustangs

San Diego State Aztecs

The last year of college football discussions have been centered around expansion and realignment.

Mostly in part because Texas and Oklahoma got the ball rolling when they announced their move to the SEC, leading to USC and UCLA following suit and leaving for the Big Ten. While these were huge losses for both the Big 12 and Pac-12 respectively, the two conferences both had chances to bounce back.

After rejecting a partnership with the Big 12, the Pac-12 has been on the wrong end of just about every report since last July. The Big 12 was able to expand by adding BYU, Houston, UCF, and Cincinnati, while also jumping the Pac-12 in line for a media rights deal.

The Pac-12 is still searching for a media rights deal, and their recent proposal following Colorado leaving for the Big 12 centered around Apple streaming doesn't seem to be enough. There are now rumors running rampant of three Pac-12 programs leaving for the Big 12 and a few others going to the Big Ten.

This has led to many discussions as to the future of the conference, but when discussing it many people gloss over the programs that will be forgotten. Here are 10 programs that may get left behind in this wave of realignment as college football shifts towards super conferences.

Oregon State

Of the remaining nine Pac-12 programs there are two that are often not mentioned in any reports or rumors regarding realignment. Oregon State is unfortunately one of those schools, as neither their market or brand are enough to get them in discussions.

Washington State

Washington State is in the same exact situation as Oregon State, they lack the market and brand to be considered. Even if the Big 12 were to expand to 20 teams they may look at other Group of 5 program's before they give the nod to one of these two.

San Diego State

After long being viewed as the top candidate for Pac-12 expansion and even essentially trying to force their way in, unless the conference survives they may be out of luck. With the Big 12 expected to nab the remaining three four corner schools, there may not be room for San Diego State.

SMU

Oct 5, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) and quarterback Preston Stone (2) take the field before a game against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports — Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

The Pac-12 realistically was SMU's only chance to end up in a Power 5 conference as they were overlooked by the Big 12 once, and it'll happen again.

Tulane

After trying to capitalize on their momentum from this past season, Tulane was thrown around as a possible candidate. They always felt like a long-shot, and if there is no Pac-12 expansion, that essentially ends their chance .

Boise State

The Pac-12 passed on Boise State multiple times due to their market and academics, and while it's unfortunate that Boise State didn't get the nod just them existing still would be a leg up.

Memphis

You have to applaud the efforts made by Memphis to sell themselves, but neither the Pac-12 or the Big 12 were really ever considering them.

Colorado State

After Colorado's departure everyone immediately turned to Colorado State as their replacement to get into the Denver market again. If the Pac-12 is unable to survive and expand, the Big 12 won't need Colorado State.

Cal

Nov 19, 2022; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears head coach Justin Wilcox gestures while talking to the referees during the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports — Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon State and Washington State aren't the only schools that are at risk of being in a very tough spot if the Pac-12 collapses. Cal and Stanford are viewed as potential Big Ten candidates, but reports indicate the Big Ten only wants two programs and it's not them.

Stanford

Stanford is the school that seems to make the most sense for the Big Ten, but if the Big Ten doesn't have the appetite for 20 programs they'll be on the outside looking in. They do have a strong enough athletic department to be an independent, but that is a risky territory to go into.