Pac-12 Football: Top 5 expansion candidates for the conference

Another interesting fit for the Pac-12 would be BYU. The Cougars left the Mountain West for independence after the 2010 season, hoping to become the Mormon equivalent of Notre Dame as an independent denominational powerhouse. Instead, untethering from a conference has left BYU hovering in limbo and seemingly regressing.

While their most recent fortunes have been trending downward, BYU was once the hottest mid-major in college football. With a high-flying offense under innovative head coach LaVell Edwards, the Cougars captured the 1984 national championship. Quarterback Ty Detmer also brought a Heisman Trophy to Provo when he won the award in 1990.

BYU already has a longstanding rivalry with Utah. Reuniting in the same conference would allow the Holy War to return to an annual spot on each team’s calendar. An expanded Pac-12 would gain a member that wouldn’t even need to expand its stadium to fit right in, as LaVell Edwards Stadium already seats over 63,000 and has held as many as 66,000 in the past.

Would the Pac-12 be willing to bring in a school that doesn’t fit its traditional mold? The biggest question has always been less about athletics and more about academic fit. That would probably be the biggest hurdle to clear in any realignment bid that brings BYU to the Pac-12.