Pac-12 Conference Resumed Football Play
The league has kicked off its new football schedule following a period of expansion and legal resolution.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Football
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The Pac-12 conference has officially commenced its new conference football schedule with eight full FBS-playing members. This follows a major period of expansion that included the addition of six new schools.
Why it matters
Securing a full-time membership of eight teams was a vital step for the Pac-12 to remain a viable competitor for one of the guaranteed non-Power 4 spots in the College Football Playoff.
The conference now features eight full FBS football-playing members, including five schools recently poached from the Mountain West. This relaunch aims to secure a path toward the 12-team College Football Playoff.
The players
Pac-12
A collegiate athletic conference that has recently restructured its membership and broadcast partnerships to maintain its status in top-tier football.
Boise State
A university program that demonstrated the conference's competitive potential by appearing in the College Football Playoff in December 2024.
Mountain West
An athletic conference that entered into legal proceedings with the Pac-12 regarding exit fees following a significant poaching of member schools.
The details
The league has secured its future through a new media rights package featuring CBS Sports, The CW, and USA Network. This return to play arrives after the conference successfully resolved litigation with the Mountain West over exit fees during the summer of 2026.
Timeline
The final season of the old Pac-12 football concluded in 2023.
Boise State appeared in the College Football Playoff in December 2024.
Litigation between the Pac-12 and Mountain West was settled in the summer of 2026.
The Pac-12 began its new conference football schedule on October 3, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The Pac-12 is currently positioning its rebuilt roster to compete for the dedicated playoff slot available to non-Power 4 conferences. This effort follows the successful integration of programs like Boise State and Utah State into the league's new framework.
The conference's survival ensures that the five newly added programs will have access to a national media platform via the new rights package. This provides a clear path for member teams to boost their individual rankings in pursuit of the 12-team playoff bracket.
The takeaway
The league's ability to settle its legal disputes and secure media partners marks a significant turning point for its long-term stability. Fans should look for the conference to focus heavily on winning the specific playoff slot now reserved for its tier of competition.
Further reading
For more on how recent realignments are shaping the sport, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Front Office Sports.
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