Maybe the importance of research is a sore spot because Syracuse left the AAU due to lack of research, but it is absolutely a top- if not the top- consideration for getting university president buy-in. The B1G, PAC, and SEC all moved proactively last round taking Maryland, Rutgers, Missouri, A&M, Colorado, Utah, and Nebraska. Nebraska is the only one of that group who got a flyer on research, and they came paired with two top 50 research schools.

Louisville moved up despite academic concerns as the ACC backfilled. So I guess, if SDSU had Louisville level athletic success and the PAC were raided resulting in a backfill scenario, than SDSU would have a chance similar to Louisville.