CFB insider addresses Air Force to Pac-12 rumors as conference realignment saga continues

The ongoing saga of the Pac-12 conference continues to create new rumors and speculation. Currently, four programs have agreed to leave their current conferences to join the Pac-12 in 2026 (Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State and Colorado State).

This will give the conference six teams. However, they will need a minimum of eight to be eligible for the College Football Playoffs. The question is: which other programs will move to the Pac-12?

One program that has been speculated to move is the Air Force Falcons, as reported by Ross Dellinger. However, one day after this report, another college football insider, Jim Williams, gave his insights on the potential move of the Falcons on social media.

"Gang, I did read the Ross D's report as well as others. If Air Force moves it would be to join Army and Navy in the AAC."

The Air Force Falcons currently play in the Mountain West Conference. They are one of the founding members of the conference, and playing there makes sense geographically, as the service school is based in the state of Colorado.

They were originally committed to staying in the conference, but on Monday, the Utah State Aggies announced their intentions to join the Pac-12.

This has reportedly spooked the Falcons, who are now reconsidering their status in the Mountain West. However, as Williams has said on social media, if they are to leave, it will not be to the Pac-12. If they are going to move anywhere, the American Athletic Conference seems the favored spot. This is allegedly because a rival service school, the Navy Midshipmen, is in this conference.

Add in the Army Black Knights, who are in the AAC as a football-only member, and the Air Force should be very much at home here, more than they would be in the Pac-12.

UNLV Pac-12 conference realignment situation

In his social media post, Williams also mentioned another school that could make the move to the Pac-12 conference to give it the eight teams needed.

"For debate, let's go with Ross story. In that case, the two programs the P12 need now are @unlvfootball and @USUFootball to get to 8 to become a conference. It all remains a money issue," Williams wrote.

The UNLV Rebels had initially stated their commitment to the Mountain West Conference and, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel, had signed a memorandum of understanding on staying in the conference. However, this was dependent on the other schools remaining in the conference, keeping the required number.

But, less than 24 hours later, this may be in jeopardy as the Utah State Aggies announced their intentions to join the Pac-12, causing the Rebels to reassess their options.

While UNLV would have to pay the exit fee to the conference, this is likely to be less than the money that the school could make playing in a conference that could become a middle power between the Power 4 and Group of Five conferences.

The Mountain West does not lose another program and has offered the Rebels (and Air Force) a significant lump payment to keep them in the conference. But, with more schools considering leaving (dropping the number below the required eight schools for CFP consideration), will this payment be enough to keep them in the Mountain West?