I thought 6 was all that the NCAA requires to be a fully sanctioned conference, but I saw articles today asserting the number is 8. Maybe 6 is required for some sports (like lacrosse, which is the reason the 5 team ACC does not get an auto bid to the lacrosse playoffs), while 8 is the minimum number a league must have for full status.
That being the case, what does the Pac do? Willis go for just 2 more, or try to become THE top conference located fully in PST and MST? Realistically the Pac cannot get back anybody that left. So that leaves remaining MWC school: UNLV and New Mexico might have the most value, but Nevada-Reno, which is NV's combo state Flagship and Land Grant, might have the power in state politics to prevent UNLV from leaving it behind.
Some think that the Pac may hope tp exapnd as far as the Mississippi River. Specifically by adding long time rivals Memphis and Tulane. If you make that move, you are nuts not to fill the geographic gap with TX schools. Rice (lots of history with Tulane), UTSA, Texas ST, and North Texas all could be had. And that TX foursome would mean the Pac is located in the DFW, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio TV markets.
Not bad for a league that should be dead and buried. Kudos to Oregon St and Washington ST for fighting.
That being the case, what does the Pac do? Willis go for just 2 more, or try to become THE top conference located fully in PST and MST? Realistically the Pac cannot get back anybody that left. So that leaves remaining MWC school: UNLV and New Mexico might have the most value, but Nevada-Reno, which is NV's combo state Flagship and Land Grant, might have the power in state politics to prevent UNLV from leaving it behind.
Some think that the Pac may hope tp exapnd as far as the Mississippi River. Specifically by adding long time rivals Memphis and Tulane. If you make that move, you are nuts not to fill the geographic gap with TX schools. Rice (lots of history with Tulane), UTSA, Texas ST, and North Texas all could be had. And that TX foursome would mean the Pac is located in the DFW, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio TV markets.
Not bad for a league that should be dead and buried. Kudos to Oregon St and Washington ST for fighting.
