AQs for the CFP, well they never had an AQ, it goes to the top 6 conference champs, reducing it by 1 now in order to maintain 5 going into the next new contract would be a smart move for the PAC2/MWC and AAC with the power consolidation.
As far as the autonomous conference status, the PAC still technically has that unless voted on by the majority of NCAA members/conferences (not sure which), IF it can retain its status as a conference (8 members playing together for 6 years of something like that). Unless they get an exception, which I wouldn’t count on, they would need to add 8 members in the next 2 years that have been playing together for 6 years to keep that status, which leaves only the MWC, SunBelt, or the MAC.
If they take the 8 best realignment candidates from the MWC that would leave Wyoming, New Mexico, Nevada, and Hawaii on the outside looking in, but to get the MWC to dissolve peacefully without exit fees the full reverse merger makes the most sense plus it eliminates a postseason tournament AQ spot in non fb sports as well.
I still think there is a 50/50 shot the PAC2/MWC can keep their autonomous status. Having representation from a Western based conference that can help represent the general interest of similar conferences (Big Sky, WCC, Big West) is not a bad olive branch to leave in tact plus it also gives a G5(now 6) insight and a voice in decisions with the Power2/Next 2 and allows for a tiebreaker. Still not sure the P2 want to be able to be outvoted by the N2/G6, so that will be an interesting story to follow. Not predicting they’ll lose or keep it either way just saying that both options are realistic.