Is the Pac-12 dead as ACC merger with Kliavkoff's powerhouse becomes a real possibility? Exploring future options for Pac 4

"Is the Pac-12 dead?" This seems to be the question on every college football fan's mind.

With eight of the 12 teams set to depart in 2024, things seem bleak for the conference. The Pac-12 is currently waiting for a media rights deal to be signed to signify that there is a future for the conference.

There could, however, be a savior in the form of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They're also facing a similar issue, so a pairing of the two Power Five conferences could be on the table.

Things are going to be interesting moving forward for the Pac-12 as the possibilities seem very limited. Is the Pac-12 dead, or is it just going in a different direction? Let's explore.

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What are some ways to keep the Pac-12 alive?

While the Pac-12 conference is dealing with a lot of issues, there are some ways to keep the Conference of Champions from dissolving.

The best-case scenario for the conference would be a merger with the ACC, another Power Five conference that does not have a clear path going forward. The ACC is dealing with as many as eight teams wanting to potentially explore other options, which will weaken the conference. However, a partnership with the Pac-12, in theory, could make things better for both conferences financially and quality-wise.

Another option would be to focus on growing as an individual conference without the help of another Power Five conference. This could involve a partnership with a Group of Five conference like the Mountain West. The Mountain West has some good programs, including the San Diego State Aztecs, who were rumored to join the Pac-12 ahead of its media day.

That would help elevate the Mountain West program because if they were to merge completely, that would be 16 teams to create a top conference. It would be an uphill battle, but that would be the best in terms of travel and scheduling, as they're adding four more teams to the roster.

The Pac-12 is in critical condition, but there are ways to repair the damage. It depends on how Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff and his staff decide to move forward.