Is the Pac-12 going away? Exploring how conference realignment threatens to break up the FBS powerhouse

The Pac-12 fell into the midst of uncertainties during the offseason after it failed to secure a lucrative television deal for the coming years.

That subsequently led to the mass exodus of its members to other Power Five leagues, leaving the conference with just two schools.

The conference has been in existence in the college sports landscape for more than 100 years. However, the current situation suggests that the league could be nearing its end within the realm, as the lack of sufficient membership is a significant existential threat.

Despite the lots of beliefs and opinions flying around, it's pretty difficult to determine the fate of the Pac-12 in the world of college sports.

Evidently, there's a lot on the ground that could lead to the collapse of the conference; however, there's also a great deal of effort to ensure survival.

Pac-12 offered a two-year grace period

The Pac-12 has an opportunity to secure its future in college sports thanks to an NCAA regulation. This regulation grants conferences a two-year grace period to make progress toward meeting membership requirements before any mandatory changes become mandatory.

This provides the conference with a glimmer of hope for survival in the ongoing crisis that has plagued the conference in recent months. The conference was significantly depleted during the offseason, with only two members remaining: Oregon State and Washington State.

In light of this, the Pac-12 will remain in existence in the world of college sports until at least 2026, unless the Beavers and the Cougars make their way out. The two schools are notably working together to explore the option of keeping the conference alive within the realm.

The prospect of the two-member conference

With the two-year grace period in place, Oregon State and Washington State are currently contemplating the possibility of operating as a two-member conference in 2024. This was confirmed by Washington State University Athletic Advisory Committee member Matt Loveless.

While the two universities can operate a two-team conference next season, they won't be able to gain championship access as the membership threshold is much higher.

With access to championships considered paramount, the Beavers and Cougars will therefore explore two options to navigate the situation.

One option currently being considered is to seek an NCAA waiver from the threshold rule, while the other option is to operate an affiliate membership with another conference. Either way, the Pac-12 will use the two-year grace period to explore the possibility of an expansion and ensure survival.