Texas State Over UNLV? Realignment Has Officially Lost Its Mind

If you’ve spent any time reading national college football media lately, you’ve probably seen it: yet another half-baked, geography-obsessed piece suggesting Texas State — yes, Texas State — might be a better long-term fit for the Pac-12 than UNLV.

Let’s not sugarcoat this. That take isn’t just wrong.

It’s delusional. Embarrassing. Laugh-out-loud, post-your-L take type of wrong.

And yet, here we are — having to explain why the 20–8 program in Las Vegas with a real stadium, real momentum, and real future is a better candidate than the glorified commuter school from San Marcos that’s never done a damn thing.

Let’s walk through this fantasy, and torch it point by point.

Part I: The Fictional Football Resume

Texas State fans, cover your eyes.

Now compare that to UNLV — a program that, yes, had its share of down years, but has recently caught fire. The Rebels are 20–8 over the last two seasons, have played in back-to-back Mountain West Championship Games, and just signed the top transfer class in the league.

They also hired Dan Mullen — a former SEC Coach of the Year. You know, a guy who beat Georgia and LSU while at Mississippi State. Meanwhile, G.J. Kinne had a good run of trick plays in the Sun Belt.

But sure, let’s pretend Texas State is the rising power here.

Part II: The Budget Beatdown

Want to know how far apart these programs really are? Just follow the money.

In FY2024:

You read that right. UNLV earns 10x more in ticket sales.

And here’s the kicker: while UNLV’s program is mostly self-sustaining, Texas State is propped up by students — literally. The school pulls $19.6 million from an athletics fee every year. Nearly half of their entire athletic budget comes from student subsidies.

That’s not a brand with momentum. That’s a welfare check disguised as an athletic program.

Part III: Stadiums and Showcases

UNLV plays in Allegiant Stadium — a $2 billion NFL palace that just hosted the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, and Final Four. Texas State plays in Bobcat Stadium, a modest 30,000-seat venue surrounded by cow pastures and overshadowed by Austin traffic.

Allegiant is a media magnet. Recruits dream of playing there. ESPN, FOX, and CBS want to broadcast there. When UNLV hosted the Mountain West title game in 2023, it looked like a national event. Because it was.

Texas State? Their biggest TV draw is a Tuesday night game against Louisiana.

Part IV: Vegas vs. San Marcos

Let’s talk cities.

Las Vegas is a top-40 media market. A sports capital. Home to the NFL, NHL, F1, UFC, Summer League, and soon the MLB and NBA. It’s a destination city with national visibility — the kind that adds actual value to a conference media deal.

San Marcos is… where?

It’s a small town lost between Austin and San Antonio. The Bobcats are behind Texas, A&M, UTSA, and probably a couple high school programs in terms of attention. No TV market. No recruiting edge. No identity.

Part V: The Argument Falls Apart

Let’s review what Texas State supposedly offers the Pac-12:

But hey — they’re in Texas, so let’s pretend that’s all that matters?

This kind of realignment logic is why the Pac-12 fell apart in the first place. Chasing brands with no audience. Thinking proximity matters more than presence. Rewarding programs that have done nothing over ones that are actively building something real.

Part VI: The Reality

UNLV is not a throw-in. It’s not a backup plan.

It’s a program with real investment, real recruiting juice, real facilities, and a rising national footprint.

They’ve outperformed every G5 in the West except Boise.

They have one of the best coaching staffs in the Group of Five.

They play in a stadium other schools dream of stepping into.

And while Texas State is still figuring out how to fill 60% of its own stadium, UNLV is hosting nationally televised games in a venue built for world champions.

Final Thoughts

If you’re still arguing that Texas State offers more long-term value than UNLV, you’re not analyzing — you’re coping. You’re ignoring wins, money, visibility, and momentum in favor of a dusty Sun Belt ZIP code and vibes.

This isn’t 2002. It’s 2025. And the Pac-12, if it wants to survive, should stop shopping for filler and start signing football teams that matter.

You don’t build a conference on Texas State. You build it around UNLV.