From Pac-12 to Sun Belt: Washington State and Oregon State Make Bold Move

By Champ Jackson, Saturday Night Chronicles

Well, folks, buckle up because we’ve got some serious conference realignment news that’s bound to shake things up. In a move that absolutely no one saw coming, Washington State and Oregon State are packing their bags and leaving the Pac-12 to join the Sun Belt Conference. That’s right, two schools from the rainy Northwest are heading to a place where they may need to Google what the sun actually looks like.

But jokes aside, this is a huge win for the Sun Belt.

Sure, we’ve just seen Troy and Texas State depart for Conference USA, but let me tell you, the addition of Washington State and Oregon State more than makes up for it. These are two programs with proven histories, passionate fanbases, and a drive to compete at a high level. In fact, they might just help elevate the perception of the Sun Belt as a whole. They may not know how to handle humidity, but they sure know how to play football.

Conference Outlook

The Sun Belt has been on the rise in recent years, and this move is only going to solidify its reputation as one of the most competitive Group of Five conferences. Adding two well-established programs like Washington State and Oregon State is a massive boost, especially when it comes to national attention. The Sun Belt is positioning itself as a player on the larger stage, and let’s face it, with these additions, losing Troy and Texas State feels like a small price to pay.

Division Drama?

Rumors are swirling that the Sun Belt may be saying goodbye to divisions altogether with this realignment. If true, this would be another interesting wrinkle in the conference’s evolution. With teams spread across multiple time zones and now even weather patterns, it makes sense to simplify things a bit. Whether divisions stay or go, one thing is for sure—the competition is going to be fierce, and fans will have plenty to be excited about.

More Teams on the Move?

If you thought the realignment rumors ended there, think again. Word on the street is that South Alabama and Georgia Southern are both exploring potential exits from the Sun Belt as well. Sources indicate that both schools are weighing options to join either the AAC or Conference USA, which could further shake up the conference landscape. While nothing is confirmed yet, this is definitely something to keep an eye on. If these teams jump ship, it could spark a new wave of moves throughout the Group of Five conferences.

Pac-12 to Become U-2?

Meanwhile, in a bold and somewhat surprising move, the Pac-12 is rebranding and reshaping its future by adding UMass and UConn to the mix, forming what some are already calling the U-2 Conference. This realignment brings two programs from the Northeast into a historically West Coast-centric conference, creating an entirely new dynamic. And it doesn’t stop there.

The conference has also relocated its headquarters to Boston and revealed that it has been aware of Washington State and Oregon State’s plans to depart since the start of the 2025 season. A representative from the soon-to-be U-2 Conference shared their excitement for the future: “We’ve known for some time that changes were coming, and we’re excited to embrace this new era with UMass and UConn. Moving our headquarters to Boston symbolizes a fresh start and positions us closer to our new member institutions. The decision to rebrand as the U-2 Conference reflects our vision for growth and competitiveness, and we believe this new chapter will enhance the conference’s overall strength and identity.”

As always, stay tuned for more updates, because if we’ve learned anything, it’s that conference realignment never stays quiet for long.

Will the addition of Washington State and Oregon State improve the Sun Belt’s overall reputation?

• Yes, absolutely.
• No, it won’t make much difference.
• It depends on how they perform in the conference.