Utah Tech is reportedly looking to make a move to the Big Sky as the Pac-12 flirts with the idea of Sacramento State. Or perhaps it is the other way around.
Either way, conference realignment continues to be chaos!
As things currently stand, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Oregon State, San Diego State, Washington State and Utah State will make up the new-look Pac-12 starting with 2026-27. The conference, which lost the majority of its members to the Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 last July, must also add at least one additional football-playing member to its conference before 2026 to qualify as an FBS conference. Memphis, North Texas, Rice, Texas State, Tulane, UTSA and UNLV are potential options.
Sacramento State is another. The Hornets supposedly raised up to or more than $35 million in NIL money to prepare for a jump from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision. They want to join the Pac-12. Badly.
If the Pac-12 one day decides to add Sac State, that would leave the Big Sky with only 11 football programs. It would presumably want to add a 12th to replace the Hornets.
This is where Utah Tech comes into the picture. The school, which recently rebranded from Dixie State, is currently linked to two separate conferences. It is tied to the Summit League and the Big Sky.
According to Inforum’s Mike McFeely, Utah Tech and Southern Utah are looking to run from the imploding WAC. One option is for the football teams to remain part of the United Athletic Conference while the other athletic programs, like women’s soccer, baseball and basketball, join the Summit League. Another option is a bit more straightforward.
Utah Tech reportedly applied to join the Big Sky Conference as a member in all sports, including football. It is unclear as to whether the Trailblazers were accepted. It is also unclear if there is any mutual interest.
Sacramento State has yet to leave but wants to get out. That would have to happen first. Only then would the Big Sky have room to add another school. Dominoes will start to fall when the Pac-12 decides on what it wants to do. Utah Tech could be caught in limbo until that decision is made. Stay tuned.