Washington State and Oregon State will not go to the AAC, shutting down one possible option
Is the Mountain West Conference the only realistic landing spot for Oregon State and Washington State?
We noted a few weeks ago that the Big 12 “would be the first preference for the Cougars and Beavers, but they’re not calling the shots. Brett Yormark is. If the Big 12 shuts the door to WSU and OSU, the merger with the Mountain West might have to be accepted, as undesirable as it might be. Oregon State and Washington State are not in a good position to become independent the way Stanford conceivably could.”
It turns out that the Big 12 does not want Oregon State and Washington State, and that Stanford did not want to be independent in football. OSU and WSU are part of a “Pac-2” now that Stanford and Cal have moved to the ACC. Is it Mountain West or nothing? With the AAC closing the door to WSU and OSU, that seems increasingly likely.
Let’s look at the Wazzu and Oregon State views of conference realignment as it stands:
AAC KICKING THE TIRES WITH SMU GONE
Mike Aresco says the AAC is "evaluating" potential expansion targets in Washington State & Oregon State. "Kicking the tires."
He has an invite to visit those campuses & will "probably" do it, but he noted that further discussion on expansion among his league members is needed.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 30, 2023
HOW MUCH DOES SMU LEAVING AFFECT THE AAC?
Something like this will do 🔥🔥
MWC teams follow suit once WSU + OSU join AAC pic.twitter.com/ulKTcK0Onn
— 🤘🏽 (@hornsupbirdsup) August 30, 2023
AAC CLOSES THE DOOR ON FRIDAY MORNING -- SORRY, BEAVERS AND COUGARS
NEW: The AAC will NOT expand west to add Wazzu and Oregon State, commissioner Mike Aresco announces.
"We plan to focus any expansion efforts on schools that allow for sensible and sustainable competition and student-athlete well-being within our strong geographic footprint."
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) September 1, 2023
MOUNTAIN WEST DESTINY
Well that’s a wrap folks, looking forward to our conference matchup against Oregon State September 16 in Corvallis. https://t.co/uedkxi3vWg
— Austin Bolton (@itsAustinBolton) September 1, 2023
UTAH STATE MIGHT BE HAPPY
Realignment sucks, we all agree on this, but this is the best case scenario for Utah State and the MWC.
I think there is a very bright future for everyone involved in the MWC. https://t.co/2NLgJw61oT
— Braden “Brady” Clark (@BradenTClark) September 1, 2023
WALLS ARE CLOSING IN
And now this. Where does OSU and WSU go from here (I think it's obvious)? https://t.co/Jq8gQr5pDU
— InRudymentaryForm✝🐴⛳ (@RudySPNo) September 1, 2023
ROUGH RIDE
Ouch, tough morning for little sibling. 😂🥴 https://t.co/Qrh8ZgYSl1
— 🦆B1G Sco🦆 (@Sco_Duck) September 1, 2023
REBUILD IS THE ONLY OTHER OPTION
Suggests to me that the PAC 2 are indeed going to work on a rebuild. Only other alternative is MWC. https://t.co/nSg6j5XzT9
— TallyBull (@TallyBull) September 1, 2023
POSSIBLY
Well that all but seals Oregon State & Wazzu's fate. https://t.co/Q60Rb31kPo
— Boise State | Sports Report (@BSUsportsreport) September 1, 2023
YIKES
Have they called the Big Sky? https://t.co/t4MHxvkYGn
— Kurt Zimmer (@KRZediting) September 1, 2023
SOME GET THE RIGHT CARDS, BUT NOT EVERYONE
And now logic prevails 🙄 https://t.co/AeIHaHP3x5
— Lucas Ingham (@LucasIngham) September 1, 2023
MAYBE
FIU/UTEP > WSU/OSU – Mike Aresco probably https://t.co/ksEe597ai8
— USF to the PAC 12, ACC, or stay in the AAC🤘 (@TheHerdUSF) September 1, 2023
BRUTAL
Oh SNAP! https://t.co/qzLFH1V4bf
— Hardcore Husky (@HardcoreHusky) September 1, 2023
SAD TIMES
👀👀👀@OS_Beaver @TheDigitalDam https://t.co/22YnGjcDou
— Randy (@RandyR358) September 1, 2023
SORTING THROUGH THE SCENARIOS
IMO, this was the best outcome for the AAC. If Calford would have been denied the ACC, then they would've focused a Pac-12 rebuild on the AAC West due to institutional fit and lack of an insurmountable exit fee.
Losing SMU alone was the very least of AAC concerns. @NicoleAuerbach https://t.co/RshHGTon7O— Marc Londo (O.T.B. Productions) 🇺🇦 (@mlondo856) September 1, 2023
