UNLV and Utah State are the top expansion targets for the Pac-12 if the league decides to add schools in its geographical footprint, sources told Action Network.
UNLV and Utah State would give the Pac-12 six former Mountain West schools to join Oregon State and Washington State for the 2026 season.
While the conference is also considering a combination of Memphis, Tulane, USF and UTSA from the AAC, the league is weighing all options that include adding schools in its backyard or expanding the league across the country, sources said.
UNLV and Utah State both have gained momentum due to their competitive, revenue and viewership stats being on the rise, sources said. Another source added that “the athletics and university leadership at both universities have a synergy with the new Pac-12 makeup.”
Behind head coach Barry Odom, the Rebels (3-0) are off to their best start since 1984 and ranked No. 25 in the coaches poll — their first ranking since moving to Division I in 1978. With wins at Houston and Kansas, UNLV is the nation’s only team with two nonconference road wins over Power 4 opponents.
The Rebels play their home games in Allegiant Stadium, which has hosted the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Pac-12 title games and will host the 2027 College Football Playoff National Championship, sources said.
If UNLV receives an invite, the Nevada Board of Regents would have to approve the move, but the Rebels are not tied to the University of Nevada.
Utah State (1-2 before playing Temple Saturday afternoon) has had four 10-win seasons and has finished in the AP Top 25 three times since 2012.
For the first time in school history last year, the Aggies saw their football, men’s basketball, women’s soccer and volleyball programs all reach the postseason.
Utah State won a school-record four Mountain West team championships, which tied for the second-most in the conference.
The addition of Utah State would give the Pac-12 five of the Mountain West’s top six markets, along with new members Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State
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