Canzano: Plotting Pac-12 rebuild for Oregon State and Washington State

Rebuild plan? Merger? Something else?

Washington State and Oregon State are a two-member conference. (Photo: Kai Eiselein)

When I think about the Pac-12 Conference, I don’t see a fork in the road. It’s more of a busy intersection or roundabout, with multiple exits and options.

Rebuild the conference?

A reverse merger with the Mountain West Conference?

Something else?

The Beavers and Cougars have until the summer of 2026 to reach a minimum of eight teams and meet the NCAA’s requirement. By the summer of 2025, OSU and WSU will need clarity and execute the plan. I spoke with multiple conference commissioners, athletic directors, and a trio of university presidents in the last few weeks and asked how they’d approach the circular junction in the road ahead.

My takeaways: