A recent Sports Illustrated report sent shockwaves through the college football world, as it was reported the ACC is in disarray, and the Pac-12 and Big 12 are eyeing the addition of more programs. Group of Five powers are among the targets of the Pac-12 and Big 12, which could alter the future of the G5 landscape.
Some of the names floated were usual suspects – San Diego State to the Pac-12 makes a ton of sense – while others (UConn to the Big 12??) came as more of a shock. Let’s break down which Group of Five programs seem most poised for a potential leap to the Power Five.
San Diego State
The Aztecs are a Pac-12 target, and they make sense joining that league. San Diego State’s football team has won at least seven games in every season since 2010 (excluding a 4-4 year in a COVID-19-altered 2020 season). The Aztecs are regulars in bowl games, and they’ve won 10 or more games in five seasons since 2015.
San Diego State’s football program would compete well immediately in the Pac-12, and it’s easy to imagine the program’s recruiting presence improving at the Power Five level. Regionally, San Diego State is a perfect fit in the Pac-12. While losing USC and UCLA hurts, adding a program like San Diego State would be a respectable addition to the league.
Additionally, San Diego State adds more than just football success, most notably men’s basketball.
SMU
A competitive football program in the Dallas market? Sounds like a nice possible addition for either the Pac-12 or Big 12. The Mustangs have won at least seven games in four consecutive seasons, becoming one of the more solid Group of Five teams in the country.
There’s ample potential within SMU’s athletic department, which has trotted out competitive men’s basketball programs in the past. SMU isn’t quite the proven commodity like UCF, Cincinnati, or Houston, but it’s still a decent addition.
Memphis
Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but look, a decent athletic program in a city! Memphis offers conferences a fascinating men’s basketball program led by Penny Hardaway and a capable football program. Add in the Memphis market, and the school is a candidate to move up.
Memphis, like SMU, has been one of the better teams in the AAC. There’s potential for Memphis to become a 10+ win football program more consistently, which means conferences in need of fresh blood are willing to take a chance on the Tigers.
UConn
While I was initially a bit surprised that reports mentioned UConn as a possible Big-12 target, I get it. The program would give the Big 12 access to the northeast market, while also strengthening an already impressive basketball conference.
If UConn football can do anything decent – the Huskies did make a bowl game last season under Jim Mora – the university’s athletic department becomes an intriguing addition. Heck, UConn baseball even competes well nationally. The Huskies hold value, even if the football program has been viewed as a joke in recent years.
Boise State
Where were the Broncos in the Sports Illustrated report?? Boise State’s football program holds national brand recognition, and the men’s basketball program is no joke.
Whether Boise State has been floated as a Pac-12 or Big 12 target or not, I think the Broncos would make for a stellar addition into a Power Five conference. From a competitive football standpoint, Boise State would be relevant in the Pac-12 or Big 12 from Day 1.
Other programs to monitor: UNLV, Fresno State, Colorado State
Bennett Conlin is a college football contributor for HERO Sports, and he works full-time covering sports betting industry news and legislation for Sports Handle and US Bets.
