SF Chronicle: If Pac-10 expands, BYU and Utah are IN
by Layton on Feb 10, 2010 9:07 AM PST
11 comments
There's been rumors floating around for months about conference expansion, and BYU and Utah, etc... but, it all became increasingly interesting yesterday when the new Pac-10 Commish, Larry Scott, announced the conference has looking very, very seriously at expansion, and they've been in preliminary discussions with certain institutions.
And, in one of the most compelling articles to date, San Francisco Chronicle writer, Ray Ratto, says BYU and Utah are the only two that would make sense. Here are the highlights...
" In other words, the boat has set sail, and if the first port of call isn't Salt Lake City, well, we don't know our boats."
"Thus, [Larry] Scott was hired to change all that, and he hired [Kevin] Weiberg to hasten that change. And with so many elements in play at the same time, the idea of swallowing/absorbing/digesting Utah and BYU has never seemed more viable, or more urgent."We say Utah and BYU because they meet all the conference's stated criteria. Natural rivals, geographically desirable, academically compatible, and blah blah blah. The truth is, Utah and BYU are money generators, and on this side of the Rockies, they make the most sense. More, in any manner of thinking, than Nevada and Fresno State, or Colorado and Colorado State, or TCU and New Mexico, or any other candidates one can conjure.
"There are rumors that the two likeliest targets are Utah and Colorado, but it seems safe to say that Utah would be happier maintaining its rivalry with BYU than trying to create a new one."
ESPN'S Andy Katz agrees completely with Ratto - this via Twitter:
"Pac-10 flirting with expansion. I agree with Ray Ratto, BYU and Utah only way to go."
Other relevant links:
Big-10, Pac-10 looking to expand - The Inquisitor (Louisiana)
Pac-10 considering expansion - The Denver Post
Pac-10 thinking expansion too - Dallas Morning News
Pac-10 "very seriously" looking at expansion - The Seattle Times
Weighing Pac-10 expansion - Los Angeles Observer
Which schools should Pac-10 add... - Tucson Citizen
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Would love this
I’ve been following this and have to say I agree 100% and hope it happens. The biggest factor that keeps coming up is whether the PAC ten can accept byu’s no Sunday games policy. Let’s hope this happens and we still maintain the rivalry with Utah. Worst case scenario is Utah leaves and byu gets stuck in the mtn west
by Howi on Feb 10, 2010 9:58 AM PST via mobile reply actions
What about the Big 12
While I would hate to see the end of the rivalry between BYU and Utah. I would rather see the PAC10 take Utah and Colorado and the Big 12 take BYU to replace Colorado; than go to the PAC10.
Not my favorite outcome but beats utah and Colorado to the PAC ten and tcu to the big 12 and leaving byu holding their shorts. This talk is possibly writing on the tombstone to the mid majors and strengthening the bcs system which I hate the idea of. Oh well though I would take the sellout to get the cougs in a big conference
by Howi on Feb 10, 2010 10:34 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Plus, as I just read elsewhere,
Colorado does not have baseball or softball programs, which are pretty big in the Pac-10.
I like the idea of:
BSU, FSU and Reno coming to the MWC. That conference would be better than the Pac-10.
As long as
we have a better chance at a big bowl, i’m happy with it. this might not be the ideal scenario, but it is preferable to what we have now, so i hope it happens
are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
Baseball and softball
So? Oregon didn’t have baseball til last year. It’s all about football and basketball when thinking expansion.
Correct...
baseball and softball aren’t factors—they simply don’t generate enough money to matter. When money matters, which it is THE driving force in this discussion, BYU and Utah are the logical choice. I know Denver is a bigger market, but you’re talking about filling stadiums with successful teams—and both BYU and Utah outnumber and outplay Colorado.
Additionally, both BYU and Utah—especially BYU—have a very large national following because of the LDS Church. If the Pac-10 is looking for money generators, look no further and SLC and Provo…
Vanquish the Foe, a BYU Cougars blog at SB Nation
unanswered question
Ive heard scenarios for BYU to join both the Pac Ten and the Big Ten. The one question that remains is whether either conference is going to work with BYU and its religious demands. Conference championships are played on Sundays and lets be honest, Sunday is a HUGE sports day which draws massive attention compared to a weekday. It seems to work ok right now with the Mountain West, but there is no conference championship and the MW has a smaller national draw which allows them to avoid Sundays moreso than bigger conferences. Be interesting to see what happens. I am no expert on this subject but it is very interesting. My one hope is that Utah and BYU either move together or stay together. Splitting them up would be just terrrrrible (as Barkley would say)
One side note: I find it hilarious that K-Y is the side banner advertisement on this page right now! Hope atleast Sroufe and Layton are getting some free sample kick-backs!
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