Texas State joins Pac-12, sparking wild reactions online
- Texas State is set to leave the Sun Belt for the Pac-12, joining several other teams.
- The move is a response to significant changes within the Pac-12, which has lost many teams.
- Fans are reacting humorously to the inclusion of a Texas school in a Pacific Coast conference.
In the United States, the ongoing changes in college football conferences have recently gained attention with the announcement that Texas State University will be joining the Pac-12 Conference starting in 2026. This shift occurs in the aftermath of significant departures from the Pac-12, where ten teams left to join other conferences. The Pac-12 had faced challenges in maintaining a stable membership due to these departures. Texas State's announcement comes in a broader context of college football's chaotic landscape, characterized by institutions seeking better opportunities and competitive balance in their athletic programs. As Texas State officially transitions from the Sun Belt Conference to the Pac-12, they will join seven other institutions: Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga (which does not have a football program), San Diego State, Utah State, and continue alongside Oregon State and Washington State. This transition is aimed at stabilizing the Pac-12 following its drastic changes, ensuring that it meets the minimum requirement of eight teams to maintain its status as an FBS conference. The reaction to this realignment news has been noteworthy across social media, with observers commenting on the absurdity of Texas being a part of the Pacific Coast conference. Many fans have taken to platforms like Reddit to express their amusement and disbelief at how drastically the college football landscape has changed. Indeed, many find it surreal that Texas schools are now included in discussions about conferences anchored on the Pacific Coast, while the Pac-12 seeks to improve its competitiveness and television rights revenue in the wake of its recent turmoil. Overall, this change reflects the broader shifts towards merging conferences and expanding the reach of college sports. As teams like Texas State realign for potential growth and exposure, the college football framework continues to adapt in response to both strategic decisions of universities and the demands of the athletic marketplace. The moves made by Texas State and its new conference members illustrate the evolving nature of college football, with the goal of achieving greater collegiate sports success amid unprecedented changes across the landscape.