The worst kept secret in college football’s latest round of conference realignment is that Texas State is preparing for a move from the Sun Belt to the Pac-12. Sources tell Dave Campbell’s Texas Football that the move is “imminent” and that the Bobcats have already told their current conference of their intentions to accept a Pac-12 invitation that is supposed to come by July 1. 

The reason for the timing of the move is the buyout to leave the Sun Belt, which raises from $5 million to $10 million after July 1. Money is the leading catalyst for the move itself, as well, as Texas State expects to at least triple their media rights income with the move. Teams in the Sun Belt receive roughly $2 million per year from the media rights deal. While not completely finalized, the Pac-12 expects their media rights deal to dish out at least $7 million per school. 

The Pac-12 needed an eighth full-time member to regain status as a conference eligible for the College Football Playoff. The conference was forced to reshape itself after a mass exodus that saw USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington leave for the Big Ten and Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah head to the Big 12. 

If the Bobcats do get the invitation and accept as expected, they’ll join legacy members Oregon State and Washington State, as well as fellow newbies Boise State, Utah State, San Diego State, Colorado State, and Fresno State. 

Texas State joined the FBS ranks in 2012 as members of the WAC. The athletic department moved to the Sun Belt in 2013, where they remain currently. The Bobcats have seen an explosion of athletic support under university president Kelly Damphousse and athletic director Don Coryell. After not reaching a bowl game in their first 11 seasons in the FBS, head coach G.J. Kinne has led them to eight wins and a bowl victory in consecutive seasons. 

ESPN’s Pete Thamel was first to report.