Is Memphis joining the Pac-12? UofM reporter tabs ACC for Tigers instead

Memphis is one of several schools in talks with the Pac-12 in the aftermath of the resurrected conference accepting Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, and Fresno State. But CBS Sports' Gary Parrish, a Memphis-based reporter with ties to the UofM, believes the ACC is a preferable option as a potential contingency plan for the conference.

"I've thought a lot about this -- especially from the Memphis perspective, mostly because the University of Memphis is my alma mater, and the Memphis area is where I still make my home," Parrish wrote. "When the school was first identified as a possible Pac-12 target last week, I kept an open mind and explained to anybody who asked that there were clear reasons to go but also possible reasons to pass -- the most notable one being that there's a plausible scenario where the ACC loses some big brands in the coming years and needs replacements, at which point Memphis could emerge as a primary target and reconnect with former league foes likeLouisville, Georgia TechandVirginia Techin a conference that would be weakened, sure, but still probably superior to the Pac-12 (not to mention a better geographical fit)."

Parrish ultimately conceded that an ACC chance might come, though, and suggested that the Pac-12 is more than good enough for a program that's been stuck in the Group of 5 ranks for far too long.

Of course, the Group of 5 label means little now in a 12-team College Football Playoff field anyway.

Is Memphis joining the Pac-12? All signs point to Tigers and Tulane joining

Memphis would likely be joined in the Pac-12 by Tulane. Both schools are the likeliest of any to make a jump. Both could use facility upgrades while they're at it. Particularly Tulane.

Adding major markets is good for any conference. But the Pac-12 would expand their interest to a much more widespread audience by bringing on the Tigers and Green Wave.