Five interesting programs that are reportedly vying to join the Pac-12

Despite all of the outside noise programs are still interested in the conference

The Pac-12 has been the subject of much criticism and doubt over the past few days following the news that Colorado is leaving for the Big 12.

The conference has a lot of ground to make up and may even lose another program, but somehow with all of this ongoing chaos there is still a scenario where they survive. The Pac-12 released a statement explaining that they still planned to focus on securing a media rights deal, which is what has gotten them into this whole situation, and will look into expanding after. 

While the feeling around the country is that the conference is on its last leg, many experts have been expressing that the Pac-12 can live. They will just have to move quickly and make smart decisions, two things that have been eluding them all year.

In a post by insider Jim Williams, it was revealed that dozens of teams have applied for membership to join the Pac-12. There is telling how many teams will be taken by the conference, but here are five that stood out the most. 

Tulane

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Tulane is hoping to ride the wave (no pun intended) of their strong season this past year, and also hope the Pac-12 is intrigued by adding the New Orleans market to their repertoire. They have often been viewed as not making geographical sense, but they would add an intriguing program with great academic standards.

San Diego State

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San Diego State has been viewed as a Pac-12 team in waiting over the past year, and even with what was their debacle in June that saw them essentially leave the Mountain West and return, they still want in. If expansion does in fact happen for the Pac-12 it would be shocking to see them not go with the Aztecs. 

Colorado State

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At one point Colorado was viewed as the third candidate for the conference, but there were questions about how necessary they'd be to a conference that already has the Denver market. Well, with Colorado off to the Big 12 the case for Colorado State practically sells itself. 

SMU

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Similar to San Diego State they have been viewed as a top candidate to join the conference, and reside in one of the biggest markets in the country. A jump to the Power 5 could really kickstart what used to be a prolific program. 

Boise State

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Boise State has been viewed as a possible Power 5 candidate for over a decade, but their small market and inferior academics have been why the Pac-12 has overlooked them. Does the Pac-12 realize the severity of this situation and make an exception for what has been one of the best Group of 5 programs in college football?