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By Matt Levine
Contributing Sports Writer
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Just when the Pac-12 was down to two teams, the conference bounced back and is ready to make a comeback. The long-term college conference is expanding, adding four schools to its roster.
The Boise State Broncos, Colorado State Rams, Fresno State Bulldogs, and San Diego State Aztecs are the newest college programs to join the Pac-12. They join the Oregon State Beavers and Washington State Cougars, in an effort to rebuild the once-proud conference.
The schools will start competition in all conference sports during the 2026-27 year. The Pac-12 officially announced the move on Thursday morning on social media.
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Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould put out a statement about the decision to bring teams to the conference.
"For over a century, the Pac-12 Conference has been recognized as a leading brand in intercollegiate athletics," Commissioner Teresa Gould stated. "We will continue to pursue bold cutting-edge opportunities for growth and progress, to best serve our member institutions and student-athletes. I am thankful to our board for their efforts to welcome Boise State University, Colorado State University, California State University, Fresno, and San Diego State University to the conference. An exciting new era for the Pac-12 Conference begins today."
The Presidents of Oregon State and Washington State put out a joint statement, welcoming the new teams to the conference.
Oregon State University President Jayathi Murthy and Washington State University President Kirk Schulz added in a joint statement: "We are honored to welcome the distinguished leadership of Boise State University President Dr. Marlene Tromp, Colorado State University President Amy Parsons, California State University, Fresno President Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, and San Diego State University President Dr. Adela de la Torre to the Pac-12 Board of Directors. We eagerly anticipate their uniquely insightful contributions during this transformative era for the conference and collegiate athletics."
The Pac-12 was down to just two teams entering this fall season. Growth was needed to keep the conference a viable entity for recruiting and media recognition. It officially lost the UCLA Bruins, USC Trojans, Washington Huskies, Oregon Ducks, Utah Utes, Colorado Buffalos, Cal Golden Bears, Stanford Cardinal, Arizona State Sun Devils, and Arizona Wildcats on Sept. 1.
Each team moved on to a different conference, leaving the future of the Pac-12 in serious doubt. But they moved quickly to make this expansion happen and there is some hope moving forward.
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Each new team brings its own history to the reformed conference. While each school is important, landing Boise State is massive, especially considering the history of its football program.
The Broncos haven't won any titles but have consistently been one of the more exciting teams in the country.
It remains to be seen if the Pac-12 will continue to add. But while the world of college sports is ever-changing, the Pac-12 is doing what it can to make its mark within it.
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