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Mountain West schools committed to keeping conference alive, AAC schools hesitant to jump

By Andrew Hughes

Mountain West and AAC schools may not be looking to make the Pac-12 jump as previously thought
Mountain West and AAC schools may not be looking to make the Pac-12 jump as previously thought / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
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NBC Sports' Nicole Auerbach reports that the Mountain West's member schools aim to keep the conference alive. Additionally, AAC schools are hesitating to make the jump in conference realignment.

"As others have reported, this should be a week that gives us realignment clarity re: the new Pac-12 and Memphis/Tulane/USF/UTSA," Auerbach prefaced before saying, "The Mountain West is also working on having its remaining members essentially recommit to each other/the conference.

"As always with realignment, there’s a fear of inaction. Schools worry about being left behind when others jump. But my sense from sources is that the AAC schools are being patient and deliberate — and talking to each other. They’re weighing the risks. There’s a great deal of skepticism within the industry about the Pac-12/its consultant projecting $10-15M per school in a media rights deal that doesn’t exist yet. And the AAC exit fees would be significant — who pays them? So, we’ll see."

Per CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd, the Mountain West is aiming to have its members sign a grant of rights to keep the conference together.

"Per multiple sources, the Mountain West has tried to convince members to sign a grant of rights (the conference does not have one)," Dodd prefaced before saying, "Not sure if the GOR would apply to a current deal (ending July 1, 2026) or as part of a new deal. The MWC does not have a deal in place after 2026."

Pac-12 and AAC in 'standoff' to get fifth College Football Playoff auto-bid

As Dodd pointed out, the conference realignment arms race between the Pac-12 and the AAC to get the fifth College Football Playoff auto-bid is currently in a "standoff," but it favors the former after they poached Boise State, CSU, Fresno State, and San Diego State.

"Following last week's raid of the Mountain West, the new Pac-12 and American Athletic Conference are basically at a standoff in realignment to see who comes out as the fifth league champion to receive a berth to the CFP each season," Dodd wrote.

"At this point, it's Advantage: Pac-12. Schools targeted by the Pac-12  were recently shown a slide deck that spelled the advantages of the league that grew to six with the addition of Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Boise State beginning in 2026."

If the Pac-12 can't get more Mountain West or AAC schools, the American may just have a chance to get that fifth auto-bid each season.

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