Breaking down each possible scenario for the Pac-12

There are a lot of rumors and reports swirling around the Pac-12 and what their future could hold.

One thing we know for certain is that the conference is on the verge of extinction after an absolute masterclass showing how to not stay afloat this past year. Most of the blame can be thrown on former commissioner Larry Scott, as the damages he caused essentially got the ball rolling on the collapse of the conference.

With so many reports out there of what is happening, I thought it'd be ideal for you the fan to know just exactly what could happen in the Pac-12 country in the coming days. Here is each possible scenario for the Pac-12.

The Big 12 poaches the remaining four corners

As reported by 247Sports Jason Scheer, Utah and the two Arizona's schools are 'likely' to follow Colorado and join the Big 12. If this were to happen, it would likely lead to the Big Ten adding Oregon and Washington leaving the conference with just four schools in Stanford, Cal, Oregon State, and Washington State. The first two are possible contenders for a Big Ten spot, but there is no guarantee. The Big 12 has been vocal about wanting the four corners, and they may actually do the damn thing.

Oregon and Washington to the Big Ten

Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel indicated that the Big Ten has narrowed their focus to Oregon and Washington, but will only consider expanding if the Pac-12 breaks apart first. A noble stance for the conference that jump started this onslaught of moves by poaching USC and UCLA a year ago.

ACC merger with the Pac-12

The Athletic's Stewart Mandel was recently doing a mailbag segment, and flirted with the idea that the two conferences having the most issues media rights wise could merge, thus forming a bicoastal super conference. If this were to happen it'd be the best case scenario for the schools in both conferences likely to be left out of other expansion moves, but how it would work would be a different battle.

Pac-12 stays together and expands

While many of the options include the Pac-12 breaking apart in some capacity and the programs being poached, there is a slight chance that the conference is able to retain its nine schools. They would likely all have to agree on the media rights deal with Apple, which is set to expire at the end of the week. If they do stay together, it means they would need to expand, so programs like San Diego State and SMU may get the nod after all.