There is a 'considerable gap' between top two Pac-12 expansion candidates compared to the rest

Not all possible Pac-12 expansion candidates are viewed the same

For the longest time there has been a consensus that the two programs best fit to be added to the Pac-12 to replace USC and UCLA are San Diego State and SMU.

While names such as Boise State, UNLV, Colorado State, Rice, Fresno State and even Tulane have all been thrown out as possible candidates throughout the past year or so, it appears based on a recent report by Pac-12 insider John Conzano that the conference may be content with just the two top candidates in SDSU and SMU. Canzano explained that he was told the conference is not viewing nearly as many candidates as legitimate as we have previously thought.

Flashing back to the beginning of this media rights and expansion ordeal, there was a belief that the Pac-12 would consider adding up to four teams to help make up for the loss of USC and UCLA. Obviously no program that will be added to the Pac-12 will bring back the value lost, but the thought process was there'd be more eyes on Pac-12 sports with more additions in premier markets. 

Canzano explained that the conference, which has not yet officially decided on expansion and will do so after their media rights deal is finished as they have said all year, has two clear favorites to join. 

San Diego State and SMU are at the front of the line. I’ve been told there’s a considerable gap between the Aztecs/Mustangs and the other two possible additions.

This isn't shocking when you consider that each one of the long-shot and beyond candidates such as Boise State, UNLV, Colorado State, or even Tulane all are lacking in a major aspect when it comes to the Pac-12. Boise State doesn't provide an attractive market nor do they meet the academic standards the Pac-12 is clearly valuing. UNLV has a decent market at No. 40 in the country, but ranks No. 285 in the country academically. Colorado State doesn't really offer a new market, and Tulane has the No. 50 market in the country and is a top tier institution at No. 44 in the country but doesn't make sense geographically. 

When the Pac-12 deal is finally announced, which we are reportedly receiving some sort of update at Friday's Pac-12 media day about new involvement, the conference will then turn its full attention to expansion. Something that could be more eventful than we thought by adding two schools, or just an excessively long wait for the inevitable.