UNLV snubbed by Pac-12 but should be a target for future expansion

UNLV was not selected to join the Pac-12 right away but they make a LOT of sense to join in the future

Just a few months ago it felt like the Pac-12 was dead in the water with just Washington State and Oregon State as the only members following a mass exodus from big programs. But as we get ready for Week 3 of the 2024 college football season, a new report suggests that the Pac-12 is back, well sort of.

It won’t be the same Pac-12 that we have been used to seeing but the conference has agreed to add four Mountain West schools beginning in 2026. The conference poached Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Fresno State as they will officially join the conference on July 1, 2026.

One program that is notably not on the list is UNLV. The Mountain West team was not one of the four programs poached and will remain in the conference, for now. However, that potentially could change down the line.

With the Mountain West now losing four of its biggest members, things are a little murky for UNLV a program that is on the rise with a 2-0 start to this season. UNLV was a program that was mentioned in talks to leave the Mountain West and join a new conference but they received the disappointing news on Wednesday night.

University leaders then released a statement to News 3 in Las Vegas:

“We know that four members of the Mountain West have announced their intentions to leave the conference in 2026,” UNLV President Keith Whitfield and athletic director Erick Harper said in a joint statement. “Our focus remains on doing what is best for our institution, current and future student-athletes, alumni, donors and the greater Las Vegas community. We continue to evaluate all options.”

That certainly hurts.

What’s next for UNLV and will they be a target?

Just because UNLV wasn’t selected by the Pac-12 right now doesn’t mean they won’t be in the future. The Rebels are still a prime candidate to join the conference for a few reasons, and the biggest might be their location.

With Las Vegas hosting the Pac-12 title game in the past plus expanding to host bowl games and even a regular season kickoff this year between USC and LSU, the Las Vegas market is booming. So why not go to the city directly to land a program for your conference. It makes sense, right?

Bill Bender of Sporting News wrote on his two possible next additions for the Pac-12, mentioning UNLV as one of them:

UNLV should be the first call if the Mountain West Conference raid continues. The Pac-12 played its last two conference championship games in Las Vegas, and the Rebels have improved as a program under Barry Odom. Would the school invest more in football with Pac-12 membership? It would be a good decision. Nevada has one of the premier high school programs in the country in Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, and those recruits would have more reasons to stay on the West Coast with a stronger Pac-12. 

Bender has a great point with the location, Bishop Gorman, and having UNLV stay on the West Coast.

In addition to Bender, the odds agree with us as well. UNLV currently sits at -125 to join the Pac-12 as a future addition via Bet Arizona, giving them the highest chance at 55.5 percent for a program NOT included in the initial four expansion.

While the Rebels were left out this time, it only feels like a matter of time before they make the move to a new conference.

Make sure to check out our UNLV forum for the latest on the team.