The new era of the Pac-12 has officially begun

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July 1st, 2026 officially marks a new dawn for the Pac-12 conference.

Today, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State all become official members of the Pac-12.

Exactly two years ago, one of collegiate sports’ most storied conferences was left for dead when 10 of its 12 members split away. While Washington State and Oregon State remained, many felt the conference wouldn’t exist after the two-year window permitted by the NCAA to exist as a conference of two. Through incredible determination and a patient approach amongst a landscape of panic, Washington State and Oregon State were able to put the pieces back together and create a new premier West Coast conference on the foundation of the old Pac-12.

This is a day of celebration for all parties involved.

For schools like Boise State and San Diego State, it’s been a long time coming. San Diego State was on the doorstep of joining the Pac-12 prior to its implosion, and Boise State had long been a great candidate. Gonzaga is another that had always been a good geographical fit but never fit the criteria seen as needed by other schools in the conference.

Other great West Coast schools like Fresno State, Colorado State and Utah State are now getting their chance to shine on an even brighter stage. Texas State is another great story. Just 14 years ago, Texas State made the leap to FBS football, joining the now defunct WAC. Imagine going back to that day and telling a diehard Texas State alum that they’d be in the Pac-12 in a little over a decade. Sure, it may not be the same Pac-12 it once was, but it’s still an incredible leap for them.

The old Pac-12 carried a legacy of rich tradition and success both on and off the field. The new Pac-12 feels more rebellious. A collection of state schools—and one small private university—who have been told for decades they weren’t quite good enough to be amongst the big boys of the collegiate landscape. It’s a reminder as to why so many fell in love with collegiate sports in the first place. We love the underdogs. We love the idea that any school, from any part of the country, no matter how big or small, can compete at the highest of levels.

One of the most memorable games in recent college football history was the 2007 Fiesta Bowl that featured the same Boise State Broncos who joined the Pac-12 today, taking on the powerhouse Oklahoma Sooners. The undefeated Broncos were touchdown underdogs and yet took down the Sooners in a 43-42 overtime thriller.

Just three years ago, the San Diego State Aztecs made a miraculous run to the men’s basketball national championship game! This conference is far from just a collection of schools out west; it’s a conference of teams who constantly overachieve expectations.

The rebellious identity has been affirmed as true even in the way the Pac-12 set up their football schedule. They’re leaving the final week of the regular season as an unprecedented “flex” week to help better protect the best interests of the conference. And the conference does not care what others think.

Washington State has had history with just about every school that joined the Pac-12 today. Obviously they have been playing Oregon State as conference rivals for over a century, but other schools they have encountered in their history, like Colorado State, Fresno State and Utah State have great potential to spark a rivalry. The reignition of annual meetings with Gonzaga in basketball will surely bring back some more distain for the school just up the road. And of course, the unofficially named Snake River Showdown with the Boise State Broncos is primed to take the place of a potential rivalry week opponent.

So here’s to a new beginning, new rivals, and the opportunity to lead the rebuilt premier West Coast conference into the new age of collegiate sports.

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