College football realignment rumors: ESPN reports ‘ripple’ of change could be coming

More college football realignment could be on the way.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Kyle Bonagura dove into the situation on Sunday. Expect another wave of moves at the FBS level.

It all starts with the Pac-12. Following the 2023-24 season, the conference was left with only Oregon State and Washington State after other members left for the Big Ten and Big 12.

The NCAA allowed the Pac-12 to continue as an FBS conference with fewer than 8 football members until the 2026 season. Surprising many, the conference is reforming with new members.

The Pac-12 made news adding Fresno State, San Diego State, Boise State and Colorado State to get to 6 football members. Then came Utah State to get to 7. Gonzaga has also signed on with the Pac-12, but does not have a football program.

Per ESPN, Texas State is the favorite to be the 8th Pac-12 football member and give the conference FBS status for 2026. The move could come sooner than later, as Texas State is looking at a jump from a $5 million to $10 million exit fee to leave the Sun Belt on July 1.

The industry is bracing for a ripple of realignment, sources tell me/@BonaguraESPN.
*Texas State is the heavy favorite to join the Pac-12
*Louisiana Tech is the favorite to replace Texas State in Sun Belt.
*What’s next for Memphis?
*What’s CUSA ripple? https://t.co/7EfPj9WuNT

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 16, 2025

Part of the craziness of realignment is the domino effect of 1 school switching conferences. ESPN states that the Sun Belt could look at Louisiana Tech as its top target if Texas State leaves the conference. Western Kentucky was also mentioned. If Louisiana Tech makes the move, that opens up a spot in Conference USA.

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.