Gonzaga Bulldogs: Football realignment is great for Zags
Scenario 1: Washington and Oregon bolt for the Big Ten
After USC and UCLA defected, losing Washington and Oregon to the Big Ten will kill the Pac-12. The wheels are in motion as representatives from UW met with the Big Ten this week.
At that point, the “four corner schools,” Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, and Colorado, join the Big 12. Meanwhile, Washington State and Oregon State head to the Mountain West.
With geographic rivals available, the Mountain West would be crazy not to add the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Not only them but probably San Francisco from the WCC as well to pick up part of the Bay Area audience. That is, if Stanford and California don’t lower themselves by joining the MWC.
Scenario 2: Pac-12 expands
Losing USC and UCLA wounded the beast but didn’t die yet. So to fill the void left by the Los Angeles area schools’ departure, the Pac-12 expands. They invite some combination of UNLV, Nevada, Colorado State, Boise State, and/or San Diego State to join.
Those are all Mountain West Schools. Bringing in Gonzaga (as well as raiding the WAC) adds some cache back to the MWC.
Four years ago, the Mountain West was interested in Gonzaga, but it didn’t work out. This situation has dramatically changed since then.