The world of college sports is once again buzzing with the possibility of significant realignment as several schools appear poised to make impactful moves. Over the past decade and a half, we’ve witnessed a seismic shift in conference affiliations, starting with Nebraska’s leap to the Big Ten and Texas A&M and Missouri’s transition to the SEC. Fast forward to today, and we’ve seen Texas and Oklahoma join the SEC crowd, with Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA making their way to the Big Ten. The landscape of the ACC and Big 12 has also undergone remarkable transformation.
Now, reports are surfacing about another wave of realignment that could reshape college athletics. According to ESPN’s college football insider Pete Thamel, the industry is indeed preparing for what he describes as a “ripple of realignment.” Three schools are prominently in the spotlight for potential conference moves, suggesting that we might be on the brink of more changes.
The first name making headlines is Texas State, which is reportedly favored to receive an invitation from the Pac-12. Decision-makers seem to be prioritizing Texas State, with ESPN sources indicating that the school is the leading candidate in the current discussions. There’s a critical timeline at play, too; come July 1, the buyout for Texas State to leave the Sun Belt will double from $5 million to $10 million, creating a deadline that may spur decisive action toward joining the Pac-12.
Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech appears to be stepping up as a likely replacement for Texas State in the Sun Belt. Its geographic positioning makes it an ideal fit, potentially fostering natural rivalries with neighboring teams like ULM, Louisiana, and Southern Miss. This adds an intriguing layer of competition that fans could rally around.
Lastly, we have Memphis, a school that’s been generating considerable chatter regarding its future. While there doesn’t seem to be an immediate move on the horizon, the Tigers find themselves at a crucial intersection. As one of the heavyweight programs in the AAC, Memphis’s potential departure could send shockwaves through the conference landscape, influencing future dynamics among the leagues outside the power conferences.
For the Pac-12, there’s an understanding that discussions surrounding Memphis’s integration into the conference or even collaboration with the Big East likely won’t solidify until a 2027-28 start date looms on the horizon.
In essence, the college sports world is bracing itself for what could be a transformative period. As these conferences and schools navigate this landscape, fans and stakeholders alike should keep a close watch on how these moves could redefine rivalries, create new storylines, and alter the competitive dynamics of college athletics for years to come. The anticipation is building, and realignment may just be around the corner.
