After several brutal rounds of conference realignment over the past few years, the Pac-12 has made an impressive comeback.

In 2026, the conference is set to welcome seven new teams, including six full-time FBS football-playing members, and kick off a media package with three networks.

It will continue to be a part of the FBS football league, ensuring access to the lucrative College Football Playoff and both men's and women's basketball automatic bids. Despite being reduced to just two member schools, Oregon State and Washington State, the Pac-12 refused to give up on its legacy.

Through a series of strategic moves, including filing a lawsuit to retain control of intellectual property rights and league assets, securing a war chest of $100 million, and forming strategic partnerships with other conferences, the Pac-12 was able to rebuild its roster and media rights.

By poaching schools from the Mountain West and securing new media partnerships, the Pac-12 has positioned itself for a strong comeback. The focus now is on finalizing a new media-rights package, with partnerships already secured with CBS, The CW, and Versant’s new USA Sports.

While the aggregate value of the package has not been disclosed, the league-owned production arm, Pac-12 Enterprises, is expected to play a key role in content production.

As the college sports landscape continues to evolve, the Pac-12's ability to stay afloat and make a strong return is a testament to its resilience and determination.

Boise State University

City: Boise, Idaho
Mascot: Buster Bronco
School colors: Blue & orange
Enrollment: 28,519 (fall 2025)
Sports they usually excel in:
Boise State is nationally synonymous with football. It is one of the most recognizable non-power brands of the last two decades.

Colorado State University (CSU)

City: Fort Collins, Colorado
Mascot: Cam the Ram
School colors: Green & gold
Enrollment: 34,412 students
Sports they usually excel in:
CSU is best known for football tradition and a strong basketball following in Moby Arena, plus consistent competitiveness across a wide athletics portfolio.

California State University, Fresno (Fresno State)

City: Fresno, California
Mascot / nickname: Bulldogs
School colors: Cardinal Red & Blue
Enrollment: projected ~25,064 (fall 2025; projection ahead of census)
Sports they usually excel in:
Fresno State is frequently at its best in baseball and has a well-established identity in football, especially with Central Valley support

behind it.

Gonzaga University

City: Spokane, Washington
Mascot: Spike the Bulldog
School colors: Navy / red / gray (athletics palette)
Enrollment: 7,470 (fall 2024)
Sports they usually excel in:
Gonzaga is a modern giant in basketball, so central to the new league vision that the Pac-12’s announcement explicitly frames the move around building a “basketball powerhouse.”

Oregon State University (OSU)

City: Corvallis, Oregon
Mascot: Benny Beaver
School colors: Beaver Orange & black (plus white)
Enrollment: ~38,460 students
Sports they usually excel in:
OSU has long been a national brand in baseball (a true cornerstone sport in Corvallis), and it regularly fields competitive programs across Olympic sports as well.

San Diego State University (SDSU)

City: San Diego, California
Nickname: Aztecs
School colors: Red & black
Enrollment: 41,184 (fall 2025)
Sports they usually excel in:
SDSU’s modern signature has been men’s basketball, and the school also carries significant profile in football, with one of the most talent-rich recruiting backyards in the country.

Texas State University

City: San Marcos, Texas
Mascot: Boko the Bobcat
School colors: Texas State Maroon & Gold
Enrollment: 44,596 (fall 2025; record)
Sports they usually excel in:
Texas State’s biggest spotlight is football as it scales up investment and visibility, with strong regional upside in talent-heavy Texas and room to grow across sports.

Utah State University (USU)

City: Logan, Utah
Mascot: Big Blue
School colors: “Aggie” blue (plus white/black/gray)
Enrollment: 29,831 students
Sports they usually excel in:
Utah State is best known for basketball peaks and steady football competitiveness plus a campus culture that shows up hard in Logan.

Washington State University (WSU)

City: Pullman, Washington
Mascot: Butch T. Cougar
School colors: Crimson & gray
Enrollment: 25,477 (systemwide headcount, fall 2025)
Sports they usually excel in:
WSU is most closely associated with football culture in Pullman, while also producing strong stretches in sports like basketball and several women’s programs over the years.

Volleyball

Coming Fall 2026!

• Boise State at Oregon
• Fresno State at USC
• Washington State at Washington
• Oregon State at Houston
• Idaho State at Utah State.
• Portland State at San Diego State.
• Texas State at Texas 
• Wyoming at Colorado State

The new Pac-12 is entering a new era with Oregon State, Washington State, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State, Gonzaga, and Texas State set as its full members for 2026. If you’re a supporter of any of these schools and would like to contribute stories, opinions, fan perspectives, or game-day insights to the PAC12 Sports Fans Network, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out at pac12sportsfans@gmail.com.