[Giants]

Replace them with SDSU.

From Stewart Mandel in TA:

The Pac-12’s inability to nail down its deal sooner has all but assured the Aztecs won’t be able to join before 2025, lest they have to pay the Mountain West double their exit fee. Plus, as of media day on Friday, there were at least two schools still opposed to expansion, per two league sources. One would think they’ll reconsider that stance now, though this being the Pac-12, never gamble on it acting rationally.

I don't see the end of the world with a 9-team conference for one year and SDSU joining a year later. But, you have to ask yourself if SDSU adds even as much value as Colorado.

I don’t think most of the conference membership would agree with you.  Once Colorado makes it official, I would expect the Arizona’s to begin looking for a new home.  If either or both of them leave, the conference will be left with: 

two schools dressed up in their Sunday best hoping to attract a high-powered suitor
two schools that believe their academic ranking precludes the need to submit an application for admission to another conference (believing that ranking speaks for itself) 
two schools that are doomed to banishment to the MWC
one school that doesn’t know what it wants

What a mess…..

[Giants]

Replace them with SDSU.

From Stewart Mandel in TA:

The Pac-12’s inability to nail down its deal sooner has all but assured the Aztecs won’t be able to join before 2025, lest they have to pay the Mountain West double their exit fee. Plus, as of media day on Friday, there were at least two schools still opposed to expansion, per two league sources. One would think they’ll reconsider that stance now, though this being the Pac-12, never gamble on it acting rationally.

I don't see the end of the world with a 9-team conference for one year and SDSU joining a year later. But, you have to ask yourself if SDSU adds even as much value as Colorado.

I don’t think most of the conference membership would agree with you.  Once Colorado makes it official, I would expect the Arizona’s to begin looking for a new home.  If either or both of them leave, the conference will be left with: 

two schools dressed up in their Sunday best hoping to attract a high-powered suitor
two schools that believe their academic ranking precludes the need to submit an application for admission to another conference (believing that ranking speaks for itself) 
two schools that are doomed to banishment to the MWC
one school that doesn’t know what it wants

What a mess…..