(This question is originally from Math.SE where it was suggested that I ask the question here)
Let $G$ be a finite group with fewer than $p^2$ Sylow $p$-subgroups, and let $p^n$ be the power of $p$ dividing $\lvert G\rvert$. I can show that if $P$ and $Q$ are any two distinct Sylow $p$-subgroups of $G$ then $\lvert P\cap Q\rvert=p^{n-1}$. I was wondering if this intersection is necessarily the same across all Sylow $p$-subgroups of $G$.
Is the intersection $P\cap Q$ the same for any two distinct Sylow $p$-subgroups $P$ and $Q$?
We might as well assume that $G$ has more than one Sylow $p$-subgroup, in which case here are two equivalent formulations:
Does the intersection of all Sylow $p$-subgroups of $G$ necessarily have order $p^{n-1}$?
Must there exist a normal subgroup of $G$ of order $p^{n-1}$?
I'm looking for a proof or counterexample of this conjecture.
I know that the conjecture holds in the case where $G$ has $p+1$ Sylow $p$-subgroups.
There is some good partial progress in the comments and answers of the Math.SE link.