Sun Sep 15 00:49:37 UTC 2024: ## CSU’s Pac-12 Move: A Step Up with Caveats

**FORT COLLINS -** Colorado State University’s move to the Pac-12 in 2026 is being viewed as a positive step for the Rams, but experts are cautioning that it’s not a guaranteed ticket to the top tier of college football.

“It’s a different family,” said Bob Thompson, former Fox Sports Networks president and Big Ten Network co-founder. “Same name, different family. Different relatives.”

CSU joins the conference in a period of transition, as the Pac-12 faces challenges after losing key members like UCLA and USC. The new-look conference, which will include San Diego State, Boise State and Fresno State, is aiming to build a stronger identity and secure more lucrative television deals.

“It’s not a giant step up,” Thompson continued. “But if you’re one of the top 5 rated [champions], you’re in.”

Former Big 12 and Big Eight commissioner Chuck Neinas agrees that the move is beneficial for CSU, but he also points out that the Rams’ success will depend on the strength of the conference overall.

“The amazing thing was [CSU] came in under budget and on time,” Neinas recalled about the construction of Canvas Stadium, CSU’s impressive new facility. “Which is unheard of.”

The Pac-12’s new Denver market presence, along with CSU’s commitment to football, played a significant role in the university’s invitation, Neinas believes.

However, the financial landscape remains unclear. While CSU’s TV revenue is expected to increase, it’s unlikely to reach the level of the Power 5 conferences. The Pac-12’s ability to secure a lucrative television deal with a major network will heavily depend on the overall strength of the conference and the teams that ultimately join the circuit.

“CSU is going to do better,” Thompson said about the Rams’ financial prospects. “Can they do three times better [than before]? That seems a little heavy.”

While the move to the Pac-12 presents both opportunity and challenges, CSU is entering a new chapter in its athletic history, aiming to establish itself as a force within the conference and continue building a strong football program.

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