The case for Fresno State as a Pac-12 expansion candidate

With the Pac-12 set to change drastically in a couple of years, other programs are trying — or at least hoping — to move to the Pac-12. Primarily, the Mountain West Conference schools are interested in the idea of a move, according to Jon Wilner of The San Jose Mercury News.

Fresno State, Boise State or UNLV: Any of these Mountain West schools could be added in tandem with San Diego State, although it’s easy to imagine how that would be received on many Pac-12 campuses. None of them add media value or clear the traditional academic bar, and UNLV has one of the worst football programs in captivity. But when you aren’t operating from a position of strength, standards must change.

With regard to Fresno State, we’ll say this: California’s Central Valley is home to 6.5 million people — it’s the equivalent of Seattle and Portland combined — and a good portion of them are Bulldogs fans.

Wilner brings up terrific points all across the board. UNLV offers basically nothing. Boise State has a terrific football team and a decent basketball team, and San Diego State and Fresno State both sport good teams in both major sports.

But, the Bulldogs clearly make sense to come along with the Aztecs. Wilner already mentioned the massive number of people in the Central Valley, and for that reason alone, the Pac-12 should seriously consider bringing Fresno State.

The Bulldogs’ football program is on the rise, and the rivalry between San Diego State has become a must-watch game. The market alone makes Fresno State an obvious choice, and people come from all over the Valley to watch games at Bulldog Stadium.