Big 12, PAC-12 Merging Conferences Thanks to Oregon State, Washington State?

Locked On Big 12 | Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast · May 11, 2026 · 28m

The potential for a Big 12 and Pac-12 merger is no longer a conversation about the "Power Five" of old, but rather a strategic play to solidify the "Middle Two" against the growing SEC-Big Ten duopoly. With the Pac-12 officially rebuilding into a nine-member league in 2026—adding the likes of Boise State, San Diego State, and Gonzaga—the conference has reclaimed its standing as a viable, FBS-recognized entity.

For the Big 12, a merger represents a "Western Front" expansion that would provide a permanent late-night television window (the "Big 12 After Dark" concept). By absorbing or partnering…