Texas State ‘heavy favorites’ to move to former Power Five conference: reports
After a mass exodus that left only Oregon State and Washington State as members, the Pac-12 is rebuilding.
Texas State could soon be part of that rebuild, according to reports from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Beginning in 2026, the conference will include Boise State University, Colorado State University, California State University, Fresno, San Diego State University, Oregon State University, Gonzaga, Washington State University, and Utah State University.
Texas State would be the eighth FBS football program, and the ninth total school added; Gonzaga does not field a football program.
Adding the Bobcats would allow the Pac-12 to retain its FBS status when the new schools arrive in 2026.
Thamel cited an Instagram story from Texas State’s president, Kelly Damphousse, showing Beavers, the mascot for Oregon State, in the San Marcos River.
That Instagram story would later be posted on X, formerly Twitter, with a thinking emoji seemingly hinting at the Bobcats joining the Pac-12, and Damphousse later reposted the image on June 10.
He also cited sources that said Texas State is the favorite to be issued a formal invitation to the Pac-12 and said, due to a buyout clause, which increases from $5 million to $10 million on July 1 for the 2026-2027 season, the offer and acceptance into the conference could happen before the months end.
Texas State previously turned down an offer to join the Mountain West Conference, instead remaining a member of the Sun Belt Conference.
This story was originally published June 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM.
