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The PAC 12 will look a whole lot different next season. Ten of the current 12 members will soon be playing in new leagues with only Washington State and Oregon State remaining in the conference.
With the final weekend of the regular season coming and going this past Saturday, a commemorative video was played to honor the PAC’s history on the football field.
The Pac-12 aired its own obituary: pic.twitter.com/2MSpWvIDos
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) November 26, 2023
“This football season has been one of the finest the PAC 12 has ever produced,” the clip began. The video would then go on to explain the league’s original formation, read a lengthy list on-field honors, and highlight some of the conference’s top players.
Viewers got emotional upon seeing the clip, realizing what will soon be lost when these teams leave for new homes.
“I’m tearing up man. It’s like your parents breaking up. Stick together for the fans. Please.”
“So sad. End of an era.”
“Sorry to see it go. Didn’t feel real until today. Thanks for the memories.”
“Rest in Peace.”
The loss of both history and regionality has been a negative in conference realignment. Annual rivalries will be lost in many cases, though there are some looking to keep tradition alive.
This year, eight PAC 12 members announced their decisions to part ways with the Conference of Champions. This came after USC and UCLA decided to turn in their notice the year prior.
Washington, Oregon, USC, and UCLA will be headed to the Big Ten. Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah are off to the Big XII. Cal and Stanford will join the ACC.
A decision will need to be made for the league shortly as only Washington State and Oregon State remain.
Will it decide to merge with the Mountain West and look to stay viable as a Power Five conference? Will it fold and force the Beavers and Cougars to find new homes?
Time will tell on that decision in the coming months, but the league we’ve grown to love will be lost forever.