CFB insider shares latest Pac-12 expansion update with two schools already in the mix to trigger conference realignment

The Pac-12 expansion is gaining pace after four Mountain West Conference teams, including Fresno State, Boise State, Colorado State, and San Diego State, joined its fold last week.

College football insider John Canzano recently announced on his Substack that the rejuvenated Pac-12 is targeting the AAC for the next phase of its realignment and expansion plan.

The prime targets for addition to the conference include the Tulane Green Wave and the Memphis Tigers. A meeting with athletic directors from those programs is slated for the middle of this week.

The Memphis Tigers are a key Pac-12 expansion target due to their sizeable market and $25 million NIL infusion from FedEx.

Meanwhile, reports state that Tulane hired a consulting company to help smooth its potential AAC exit. The Green Wave would owe the conference a $10 million buyout and a 27-month notice. However, the Pac-12 would likely help offset those costs.

Canzano's report names other schools the Pac-12 realignment committee is considering, including the UTSA Roadrunners and the South Florida Bulls.

AAC Commissioner addresses Pac-12 expansion plan

During Week three's "Big Noon Kickoff," college football insider Bruce Feldman confirmed mutual interest between the Pac-12, Memphis and Tulane.

"The Pac-12 has to add at least two more teams to get to eight and, they have to do it by July of 2026. That would be in that two-year window where the NCAA allows them to basically reform itself, and here's the interesting parts of this: sources tell me that the Pac-12 has some interest in Tulane and Memphis."

Speculation about AAC schools joining the Pac-12 prompted American Athletic Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti to issue a statement during halftime of Oklahoma versus Tulane.

“A time like this where everybody’s wondering about other places and what else is out there, we have a group that’s very focused on building our future together."

The Pac-12 expansion plan faces a July 2026 deadline. The NCAA's grace period, which allows the conference to operate under the required eight-member minimum, will expire then.