FORT COLLINS \u2014 Mo Kamara doesn\u2019t just know how to read a quarterback\u2019s eyes. Unlike some conference commissioners these days, the star of CSU\u2019s defensive line can actually read a map.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Pac-12 just makes sense (for us),\u201d the Rams\u2019 senior pass-rusher said of his preferred realignment destination for CSU.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes sense. And I think we match up against them. They’re not that much better. They\u2019re regional, but they’re not that much better.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 6-foot-1, 250-pound Kamara hails from Newark, N.J., which is now technically Big Ten country. Although pretty much every state save for the ones in the Mountain time zone, Hawaii and Alaska could probably make that claim these days, given that the formerly Midwest-centric league has added (deep breath) USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Rutgers and Maryland into its ranks over the last 13 years. (The Trojans, Bruins, Ducks and Huskies are joining the conference next summer.)<\/p>\n
It’s getting loopy on the realignment front. And whether the Pac-12 exists anymore, and in what form, likely comes down to its last four \u2014 for now \u2014 members: Stanford, Cal, Oregon State and Washington State.<\/p>\n
As of Friday afternoon, several media reports pegged the ACC as a likely candidate to snap up the Cardinal and Golden Bears along with SMU out of greater Dallas in an effort to create a national, multi-time-zone conference of its own. It would also give the Atlantic Coast Conference two members along the \u2026 um, Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n
Rams fans would be wise to keep an eye on any Stanford\/Cal decision, as Fort Collins could feel the ripples from any trickle-down effect thereafter.<\/p>\n
New Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez used to work with the Pac-12, and reportedly has made pitches to both Oregon State and Washington State, the likely last Pac-whatevers standing, on a potential partnership or merger. The American Athletic Conference, which has been jostling with the MW for the title of \u201cbest\u201d Group of Five football conference, is doing the same.<\/p>\n
If Stanford and Cal formally join the ACC, insiders expect a mad scramble to try and woo the remaining Pac-2 members and take a new-look league back to their respective television rightsholders for better payouts across the board.<\/p>\n
Or perhaps form a hybrid, mid-major super-conference, as has reportedly been pitched by MW want-outs San Diego State, that features the most attractive football programs from the MW and the AAC plus Oregon State and Washington State.<\/p>\n
Such scenarios could break the Aztecs and Boise State \u2014 another program with very public Power 5 aspirations \u2014 off from the rest of the MW, despite the league\u2019s public statements regarding unity earlier this month.<\/p>\n
It could also split the MW right down the middle, cutting off \u201chaves\u201d such as CSU from thriftier peers such as Nevada, San Jose State and New Mexico.<\/p>\n
Rams safety Jack Howell doesn\u2019t care where the Rams land once the musical chairs are done shifting. Just as long as they\u2019re lumped with longtime rivals such as CU and Wyoming.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d want to be a conference with (the Buffs) and Wyoming, I\u2019ll tell you that,\u201d the former Valor Christian prep told The Post. \u201cBecause it\u2019s such a good rivalry with those schools. (I\u2019ve) got respect for them, but definitely don\u2019t like them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn’t really matter to me what conference CSU is in. (But) I think we can be in a big conference and we can be a big school that a lot of kids want to go to and have dreams about, (in terms) of playing here.\u201d<\/p>\n
While CSU faithful wait out any Stanford and Cal fallout, everything appears to be on the table for the Rams. Even if some of the legs of that table feel a little wobbly.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be realistic. I probably (hope for) the Pac-12, nothing too crazy,\u201d Kamara laughed. \u201cCouldn’t put (CSU) in the Big Ten, couldn’t put them in the SEC \u2014 let’s just be realistic. I’ve been playing college football for a long time. Maybe ACC? The Pac-12, probably, would be good.\u201d<\/p>\n