CFB insider outlines major roadblocks in Pac-12 expansion amid reports of MWC & AAC dissolution

College football insider Jim Williams has highlighted a roadblock in the Pac-12 expansion efforts. The Pac-12 was decimated in college football realignment but has been trying to rebuild the conference.

So far, the Pac-12 has added Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State and San Diego State to bring the total number of schools to six, with Oregon State and Washington State remaining in the conference.

Despite showing interest in schools like Memphis, Tulane, USF and UTSA, among others from the Mountain West Conference and ACC, Williams reports that the Pac-12 is struggling to secure additional schools.

"Multiple reports - @pac12 having trouble adding teams from both the Moutain and the American as both conferences are not going down without a fight. Plus Air Force and UNLV have decided to stay in the Mountain," Williams posted on X.

"Could this change and the P12 get the members needed to get a good TV deal? I have wanted to see the P2 add teams from both conferences - but it seems for now that expansion could be a problem. Stay tuned!," Williams added.

The Pac-12 is expected to add basketball powerhouse Gonzaga in 2026, while Utah State and UNLV are the new targets for the conference.

However, Memphis, Tulane, USF, and UTSA all publicly stated they would remain American Athletic Conference instead of pursuing the Pac-12. Air Force has also pledged its commitment to stay in the Mountain West.

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Pac-12 commissioner lays out timeframe to add more schools

The Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould is hoping to solidify the conference in the next couple of months.

The Pac-12 needs to have eight members to be a Power 5 conference, so the conference needs to add two more members. According to Gould, the hope is the Pac-12 can add more schools in the next 90 days.

"In the short term, like kind of the next 30, 60, 90 days, our priorities are really, really clear. Priority number one is finishing off the expansion and inviting additional members to join the league," Gould said, via SWX Local Sports.

"Shortly thereafter, we need to get out into the market and start working on our media rights partnerships, which is going to be critically important in terms of not only the visibility that these programs deserve but also the resources that we need to support our programs."

Gould says there isn't an exact number of schools the Pac-12 wants, but getting back to a Power 5 conference is key.