The Pac-12 Thread....

Is there any way to separate paragraphs in a post when sending from a phone?

That all may be true Eirespal but we were talking about a time frame that didnt include Utah and Colorado in the Pac.  They had minimal impact on the results since they only played a couple of games against teams from the Pac.

I know Oly. I was just under the impression this was a PAC 12 thread. :) One of my favorite things about college football is the debates like this. There is no difinitive right or wrong. See PAC 12 v. SEC threads for an example. USC dominated the early part of the century. Oregon has since overtaken them as the team of the teens. USC has more name recognition for good and bad reasons, which helps in some regards and hurts in others All said, everyone's right, wrong and a little jaded. All that really matters is 2012 where Oregon is defending champs, USC is playing the role of favorites, Stanford holds the recruiting title, and all others are primed to take these teams down.

Eirespal, very well said! Your right this is a Pac-12 thread, but if the group wants to wander a bit it shouldn't be a problem.LOL

If we see things a bit differently on ,say, an SEC issue, I don't see any reason to think it isn't a valid topic for our discussion. If it isn't interesting, it'll die quickly. LOL

I know the Pac has the worst officials in CFB. That isn't even debatable.LOL They suck!!

Hasn't Colorado got internet service yet?? Or are there no fans out here.....

The Utes have anywhere between 5-20 return missionaries in any given year. I was told last year almost 30% of the team were RMs. Any advantages/ disadvantages are negligible. They seem to be more mature, but are two years behind in conditioning. I'm not sure about any size discrepancies between Utah and the other teams. I would venture the linemen are as big as anyone else. The differences are more likely in the skill positions. There aren't enough 250 lb QBs and WRs to go around. Perhaps that may change now.

All that really matters is 2012 where Oregon is defending champs, USC is playing the role of favorites, Stanford holds the recruiting title, and all others are primed to take these teams down.

I would still give USC the recruiting talent they got hamstrung in the ranking because the santions limited their numbers but they had an incredible star average for their 15.  If they had been able to sign a full class and kept the momentum that they had they would have more than likely been number one even over Alabama.

I like the attention USC gets in the conference.But we all have a very good conference brewing here.We go UTah in conference, which beat Alabama a few years ago.and Colorado brings one National championship to the conference!I would not be surprized that the Pac 12 could win 3 BCS championships in a row.Similar to the SEC!

!I would not be surprized that the Pac 12 could win 3 BCS championships in a row.Similar to the SEC!

As long as you're beating Alabama I fully endorse this plan.

I would still give USC the recruiting talent they got hamstrung in the ranking because the santions limited their numbers but they had an incredible star average for their 15.  If they had been able to sign a full class and kept the momentum that they had they would have more than likely been number one even over Alabama.

Meh, I don't buy this. Stanford is hamstrung EVERY year with their academic requirements. What they did this year certainly puts them as #1 in the conference I think. It was nothing short of amazing in my opinion. Other than losing some recruits who ended up NOT being academically elligible, they didn't have a single recruit flip on them either.

drkato: Stanford was number 1 in the conference in recruiting,based on Stanford getting 3 five star recruits! If USC had its normal 25 scholorships to give out.I certianly feel 2 of those Stanford five star recruits would of been Trojans.When USC used all of their 15 scholorships.Two of Stanfords five star recruits,one being a defensive tackle,the other being 5 star offensive tackle went with plan B.Which was to stay on the west coast,so they chose stanford.

But lets keep it real .Stanford had a really good recruiting class because USC had Sanctions! Which i said earlier.I have no problem with.Because i dont want a Texas,Notre Dame,Florida State,or Miami to come over to California or some western state.And steal away 5 star recruits from Pac 12 territory,while USC has sanctions against them!

Hey 12 PAC  Just wanted to stop by and wish you luck on your great thread. NWT thanks for the kind words earlier. Im excited about the B1G/ PAC 12 deal that will begin soon. Rock on amigos

I'm excited for the pac12-biG games as well. Has there been any news regarding how these games will work? With the news this week from the Pac12, it looks like neutral site games will be unlikely. I'm hoping for a full home and home round robin from 2017-2041.

I'm excited for the pac12-biG games as well. Has there been any news regarding how these games will work? With the news this week from the Pac12, it looks like neutral site games will be unlikely. I'm hoping for a full home and home round robin from 2017-2041.

No idea but what I would love to see is some sort of division vs division competition.  and set it up based on end of year for the next year.  since the champs play eachother in the Rose at the end take those divisions they were in and have them play the oppositeso as not to rematch. this years matchups would be

North vs Legends
Oregon vs Michigan State
Stanford vs Michigan
Washington vs Nebraska
Cal vs Iowa
Oregon State vs Northwestern
Washington State vs Minnesota

South vs Leaders
USC vs Wisconsin
UCLA vs Penn State
Arizona State vs Purdue
Utah vs Ohio State
Colorado vs Illinois
Arizona vs Indiana

maybe home based on final rankings or something

I can see the merit in that at first, especially when it pairs quality teams, but wouldn't the WSU v Minnesota game get old? Oregon may pull some quality guests to Autzen, but I would doubt tOSU, PSU, Mich, Neb, or Wisconsin would ever travel to SLC otherwise and I wouldn't want chance to dictate whether it happens or not. Also, even if you have split divisions from the previous year, there would still be a great likelihood that we'd see rematches which I find undesirable.

Sure there might be rematches but I would rather see fairly equal teams playing vs Oregon vs Minnesota and Inidana vs USC.  Not to mention the conference has always been fairly cyclical.  10 years ago WSU was a top team Colorado was in BCS games

Eirespal, with three OOC games a season, I'd guess one of those games would be "Bi-conference", alternating home and homes. If they rotated through the conference, it would take about twenty years for one teams fans to see the same team twice, that's not very "old".LOL

I'm assuming USC keeps ND as a national draw. I don't that the conferences are going to tell each team who to play, just an agreement that each team will book a home and home with the teams that agree to it. No diferent than now except it has to be in the other conference.

I doubt that the individual teams would give up control of who they play to the conferences. Just that they will book the home and homes against each other.

Does that make sanse?

Nwtrucker, I've wondered if that is how the scheduling would work, but hadn't heard. I personally hope it doesn't because I don't see how it helps anyone if USC continues these games with Minnesota for another 12 years. In Utah where we already have rivalries with BYU and USU this game really puts the squeeze on us. I'd much prefer to see at least one new team every two years or so even if it takes 24 years to rotate through if for nothing but variety. Also, it would be a true way to compare and compete conference vs conference. Lord knows conference rivalries are bigger than team rivalries any more.

Eirespal,http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/29/s
ports/ncaafootball/pac-12-and-big-t
en-announce-scheduling-partnership.
html

That's the link to the announcement, basically one game a year, home and home against similarly strengthed teams in the other conference. So Utah, under that format could keep it's rivalries and use the third OOC game for the B1G game.

This doesn't look like it's burnt in stone and could see some tweeks, but it looks good. My beef is that in football, it wouldn't start until 2017. I guess it's understandable in that most of these games are booked years in advance. Other sports could see earlier interlocking competition than 2017.

The twist I like is it creates a "super-conference almost with a championship game between the two with the Rose Bowl. No, not different than what we have now except now a new conference rivalry built by inter-conference play during the season.

If the other conferences decide to follow suit with the interconference scheduling, then it's only one step more to change the format of say two of the big bowls into a similar "interconference championship between their respective conferences.

Now you have a playoff round already in place without damage to the smaller bowls or "regular season". Six AQ conferences in three bowls. Take the fourth big Bowl and use it for non-AQ schools and highly ranked runner-ups and we have, in fact, the first round of an 8 team playoff that leads to the "plus-one/four team now proposed!

Just two games added to the Post-Bowl season, the winners now playing in the NCG!

Another option with the new financial power of this Pac-12-B1G "superconference" is it could by-pass the BCS! Either by opting out of the BCS/ direct negotiation with the other conferences to do the same as the Pac-12 and B1G.

We'd get a play-off with zero damage to the traditional strengths of CFB and the traditionalists,(like me) would now support it.

What do you think, my Pac-12  friends??

Actually, Colorado vs Nebraska is already a storied rivalry that would bring many TV sets.  Seems like a natural match to me.

MasterAgain, I agree. Between the new one the Buffalos get in the Pac-12, adding the Cornhuskers is icing on the cake.

We haven't had a report on Colorado on this thread yet. Can you update us on how your team looks and the outlook for next season?

Things are looking up.  Last year, CU got a QB transfer from Texas named Connor Woods.  4* kid that will play this upcoming season.  He will be competing with Elite 11 QB Shane Dillon from Cali.  This is the best the QB situation has been for a long time.

While CU struggled with in-state recruiting, this class was a significant improvement for CU.  Rivals ranks it as the 36th best class and 8th in the PAC 12.

One of CU's biggest issues last year was CB.  Had a hard time covering all the good WR's in the PAC 12.  This recruiting class CU got all 4 of it's top 4 listed CB's, including 2 4* kids in Yuri Wright and Kenneth Crawley.  2 impressive CB's that could start as true freshman.  Significant upgrade.

Also, DL depth was an issue for CU.  This class comes in with 8 DL to help bolster that.

While CU loses one of it's top players in Rod Stewart, they improved size and depth with 5 big RB including 5'11" 250lb Christian Powell. 

The addition of 3 new TE and moving 4* recruit Nick Kasa to TE from DE will greatly imporve the TE position, which is key in Embree's pro style offense.

CU is losing 2 starting OL, which will be hard to replace.  However, there are young 4* players like Jack Harris ready to come in and compete.

Last year CU was young.  They played many young players and this coaching staff was working it's first year (Embree's first year as a head coach).  They learned a lot by the end of the year and we saw some improvment.  I personally think CU will be much more competitive this season.  Non-con games in 2011 @Hawaii and @ Ohio State are replaced by Sacramento State and Fresno State so that help them get some wins before the conference season.  Also, start the 2012 conference season with Washington State, UCLA, and Arizona State instead of 2011 CAL, Standford, Washington, Oregon.

Off the field, the revenue dollars CU will get from the TV deal will pay off all their debt in 1 year, and CU is already beginning some facilities upgrades and plans to add more sports (baseball is on the way but must take care of the Title IX stuff first).

CU also received a record number of donation $$.  The highest total ever!

Things are definitly moving forward and we're proud to be part of the leading edge of the changing landscape.  Proud to be PAC 12.

MA, I too miss the Buff/ Husker Black Friday clashes. I know there is alot of bad blood between our teams and fans. I however wish the Buffaloes great success in the 12 PAC. Good luck amigo


NWT it keeps getting better, great thread   

wmichskers, thanks but it's not me, We've got some good people in the Pac, some even make sense....LOL

MasterAgain, cool post. Glad to have you. Pipe in on the debate/trash talk when you feel like it.

What do the locals think of being in the Pac-12? More interest/press for CU?

Oh yeh, the Avs get smoked tonight!

What do the locals think of being in the Pac-12? More interest/press for CU?

Yes.  Like I said, this year was a record setting year for booster donations.  It's so nice to be in a stable conference with good leadership.

When we were in the Big 12, just had to do whatever Texas wanted.  That's why NU left.  A big part of why CU left also.  We fit culturally better with Cali and the PAC 12.

Plus, AWESOME road trips.  Cali, Oregon, Arizona, Washington... instead of Kansas, Texas, Iowa, and Oklahoma?  No brainer there.  Ever been to Stillwater?  Ugh.

But I do miss my trash talk with the Huskers.  Hopefully, CU can recover and we can someday meet in the Rose Bowl.  For me, that will be one of best days of my CU fandome.

Loos like a lot of opening practices are being announced, in the Pac, USC is the earliest so far on Mar 6. Colorado on Mar 10.

Getting closer.....