Three of the Pac-12's expansion targets confirmed

After months of speculating we finally learned who could be making the jump to the Pac-12

The USC and UCLA moves to the Big Ten, and the ensuing events have clearly stunned the Pac-12 in a manner that almost left them without a move.

The conference was once in position of power and had Big 12 programs begging to join following the departures of Texas and Oklahoma, but possible sabotage from the USC president prevented the conference expanding at that time. The Pac-12 is now left being publicly shamed seemingly everyday as the conference attempts to string together a media rights deal, which if you haven't been following along; has not gone well. 

While it has widely been speculated that the conference plans to expand, there have really only been two programs to be confirmed as expansion targets in San Diego State and SMU. However, the belief is that the conference could add up to four, which is why I myself have thrown around the idea of adding programs like UNLV, Tulane, Boise State, or even a Fresno State. However, reports by Pac-12 insider John Canzano confirmed that Boise State, Fresno State, and even UNLV are not likely candidates. The Pac-12 is valuing academics in the move, and those three unfortunately do not fill the bill.

 On Friday, Canzano confirmed via a conference president that the conference is open to looking at four programs, and even revealed three of the four candidates. Let's take a look at the confirmed candidates, and a shocking third potential candidate!

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San Diego State

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The most obvious expansion candidate as the moment USC and UCLA were out, the nation essentially penciled them in. They have been in "regular contact" with the Pac-12 and recently uploaded a spring football graphic on Twitter that didn't have the Mountain West logo, which of course sparked our curiosity. They have a brand new stadium, and of course give the conference access to the Southern California market. 

SMU

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SMU was an early candidate for me, and they have continued to be viewed as a legitimate expansion candidate according to Canzano. The Pac-12 commissioner has already taken a trip to Dallas, and the program gives them access to one of the largest markets in the entire country.  

Colorado State

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A program that has been right in front of our face the entire time, but has not been one of the more talked about candidates. Here is what Canzano had to say about what Colorado State brings to the table:

Colorado State would be a curious possible addition. It has a new football stadium and is a research university, but the Pac-12 already captures the Denver television market with Colorado. For that reason, I believe any interest in Colorado State might just be that — exploration.

While he doesn't speak that strongly about Colorado State as a candidate and said he is working to confirm, it is interesting to note that the conference may be on the path to adding four teams rather than just two. 

While Canzano didn't have the fourth program, I still firmly believe that Tulane must be given a look. It would give access to New Orleans, which is a fertile recruiting area in its own right which would be great for the conference. The Green Wave finished this past season as the No. 9 team in the country, and the program is trending up. It would be a shot in the dark and way out of left field, but it definitely stretches the interest in Pac-12 football even further East.

What people don't realize is that Tulane also meets the academic requirements which is clearly the priority here. For reference they are tied with Northwestern and Georgia Tech in US News' Best National Universities ranking. There still appears to be a long way to go, but the conference could be heading in the right direction. Canzano reported that the Pac-12 CEO Group has a board meeting next Tuesday.