ESPN insider reveals how USC, UCLA leaving the Pac-12 impacts the conference's TV deal

Two teams inside the Pac-12 know what their future looks like. USC and UCLA will be off to the Big Ten before the 2022 season, beginning a new era in college football. As for the other 10 teams in the conference? There are a lot more questions than answers.

As all conference realignment is, the motive is getting as lucrative of a television contract as possible from one of the big networks. The Pac-12 is not looking great at the moment, potentially needing to add a couple more markets to make itself more attractive.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel said there is not much motivation for somebody like Fox to bid for the Pac-12 since their top West Coast market is gone. He then threw out a couple of programs that could potentially help out, bringing the South California area back into play but also Las Vegas and Dallas.

“The extra money USC and UCLA bring to the Big Ten is expected to mean less money that could be invested in Pac-12 rights,” Thamel said. “Why would Fox make a huge play at the Pac-12 if it already has the West Coast’s top market wrapped up? Could the league try to add San Diego State to get a foothold back in Southern California? Would Boise State loom as a potential addition? UNLV‘s market and facilities make sense, but its football history is generally dismal. Could the league make a Texas play for one of the Big 12 schools or SMU?”

“There’ll be TV suitors, of course. And there are still attractive markets. But this completely changes the league’s paradigm.”

The latest on Pac-12 realignment with Oregon, Washington

With USC and UCLA out, the two biggest brands remaining in the Pac-12 are Oregon and Washington. The two out-of-state rivals are not sure what their future looks like, with multiple options on the table, ranging from the Big Ten to Big 12 and even staying in the Pac-12.

The latest surrounding their future has been revealed by Jon Wilner of the Pac-12 hotline. He said a source would be “stunned” if either Pacific Northwest program left for the Big Ten, saying the conference is going to stay pat for a couple of years. From there, they will target another big named college football entity.

“I’d be stunned if Washington and Oregon go to the Big Ten,” Wilner’s source said, which he revealed via Twitter. “The Big Ten will sit back for two years, then try to get Notre Dame.”

Wilner also said the “growing reality” surrounding Oregon and Washington is they have two options. Stay in the Pac-12 and somehow make it work or leave for the Big 12. While it was a guess, Wilner said he thinks the former is the preference of the Ducks and Huskies.