Top 3 G5 teams who can make Pac-12 move after UNLV & Air Force reportedly stay in MWC

Several programs have been linked to a Pac-12 move after the rejuvenated conference announced the addition of four programs in one fell swoop. Further moves were expected in the conference realignment and expansion scramble that was bound to hit college sports once again.

Since last week, the Pac-12 has been linked to AAC (American Athletic Conference) schools that have since recanted their interest. The Utah State Aggies made the move away from the Mountain West Conference while the UNLV Rebels decided to stay put.

According to ESPN, the Rebels and Air Force Falcons were incentivized with signing-on fees of up to $30 million to stay in the MWC that was on the verge of dissolution.

So, which Group of Five programs can still make the switch to the Pac-12 in order to boost the conference member school numbers to the required eight to fulfill the criteria to be a part of the FBS?

Top 3 G5 teams who can make Pac-12 move

#3. Sacramento State Hornets

The Sacramento State Hornets, who currently reside in the Big Sky Conference, are reportedly gearing up for a conference realignment move by doing feasibility studies on how to improve their home turf, Hornets Stadium.

The push is coming from Hornets alumni and city council member Eric Guerra, who explicitly talked about the potential conference switch by his alma mater.

"This opportunity I think is one in a lifetime for the university because the Pac-12 is trying to stay in the west coast," Guerra said in an interview with CBS Sports.

#2. UTEP

College football insider Mike Craven linked the UTEP Miners from the Conference USA to a Pac-12 move on Wednesday. According to the report, the Miners are open to a conference realignment move that could also escalate the Pac-12 versus Mountain West Conference battle.

Conference USA currently pays each program $750,000 while the Mountain West Conference pays $4 million. A Pac-12 move could potentially earn the Miners between $8-10 million which would be a massive upturn in the school's fortunes.

The school's buyout from CUSA would be $2 million which would represent the amount the Pac-12 was ready to contribute toward the AAC schools' exit fees.

#1. Texas State

College football insider Mike Craven also linked the Texas State Bobcats with a Pac-12 move. The Sun Belt Conference side currently earns $2 million due to the conference's existing television contract.

The geographical aspect would also make a Bobcats to Pac-12 move a sound idea due to the close proximity of teams in the Pacific timezone. Student-athletes have reportedly complained before that the various conference realignment moves did them no favors in terms of the distances that they have had to travel and the time commitment that affected their academic performance.

The rejection of the advances of commissioner Teresa Gould by several AAC and Mountain West Conference programs could be a blessing in disguise for several Group of Five programs looking to make the Pac-12 move and potentially significantly increase their visibility and earnings.