'Athlon U' Podcast: Pac-12 Expansion, Conference Realignment, Future of the Playoff, and Debating the Best Coaches in College Football for 2025

‘Athlon U’ Podcast: Pac-12 Expansion, Conference Realignment, Future of the Playoff, and Debating the Best Coaches in College Football for 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Conference realignment and expansion is back in the college football news cycle. The Pac-12 is reportedly closing in on Texas State to be its eighth football member, with the Sun Belt bracing for the fallout and the potential domino effect of departures and potential expansion. That domino effect could hit Conference USA, as Louisiana Tech and Western Kentucky are expected to be the top expansion candidates for the Sun Belt if Texas State does indeed depart for the Pac-12. The College Football Playoff is also considering enhancements to its strength of schedule metrics for consideration in 2025 and beyond.

On this week’s episode of “Athlon U: The College Football Podcast,” Braden Gall and Steven Lassan discuss the latest news surrounding Pac-12 expansion, College Football Playoff news, and debate the best coaches in college football for 2025.

The latest in College Football Playoff expansion (4:00)

Pac-12 expansion coming soon? (7:45)

Why Memphis holds an intriguing spot in conference realignment (12:30)

What’s next for the Sun Belt if Texas State departs for Pac-12? (13:25)

Criteria for coach rankings (19:00)

Ranking the Big 12 coaches (27:15)

Ranking the ACC coaches (38:10)

Ranking the Big Ten coaches (47:10)

Ranking the SEC coaches (53:30)

Ranking the top Group of 5 coaches (1:03:00)

Ranking the Top 10 coaches in college football (1:06:00)

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.

‘Athlon U’ Podcast: Pac-12 Expansion, Conference Realignment, Future of the Playoff, and Debating the Best Coaches in College Football for 2025

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