[mataipaepae]

there has been a rumor going around on the ute sites that there is going to be an anouncement this week regarding colorado and utah. nothing official has been shown. but here locally our ch. 4 news just ran a story of expansion. and that the big10 and pac 10 are working together to get it started. aparently these two conferences have been having some money troubles. even ch. 4 stated that this is coming from a reliable source.

now i am not saying it is happening, but the rumor is taking flight and will be interesting to see what goes down. here is the local report.

http://www.abc4.com/...t/news/top%20st ories/story/Utah-to-the-PAC-10-Not-BYU-It - could-happen/gpbSMZcBykqmrzztzmff7Q.cspx

[mataipaepae]

PAC 10 commissioner Larry Scott said today "We're looking at it very seriously. If we were ever going to look at expansion, this would be the logical time."

here are some more tidbits from the pac 10 comish in the article today.

"He has a very diverse and successful track record. In particular, in his experience as the Big 12 commissioner and an executive with the Big Ten Network, he has dealt with some of the most complicated issues — from expansion to TV networks to media rights in general"

"We’re looking at it very seriously. It wasn’t something identified for me by the presidents when I took the job. But it’s very natural as you look at the value of the conference from a media standpoint. If we were ever going to look at expansion, this would be the logical time"

http://blogs.mercury...twork-and-more/

[LA_Aztec]

mataipaepae, on 08 February 2010 - 07:37 PM, said:

PAC 10 commissioner Larry Scott said today "We're looking at it very seriously. If we were ever going to look at expansion, this would be the logical time."

here are some more tidbits from the pac 10 comish in the article today.

"He has a very diverse and successful track record. In particular, in his experience as the Big 12 commissioner and an executive with the Big Ten Network, he has dealt with some of the most complicated issues — from expansion to TV networks to media rights in general"

"We’re looking at it very seriously. It wasn’t something identified for me by the presidents when I took the job. But it’s very natural as you look at the value of the conference from a media standpoint. If we were ever going to look at expansion, this would be the logical time"

http://blogs.mercury...twork-and-more/

I can't believe that a TV station would post that. There is no news in that story what so ever. It's like a post from the MWC board.

[socalspud]

LA_Aztec, on 08 February 2010 - 07:58 PM, said:

I can't believe that a TV station would post that. There is no news in that story what so ever. It's like a post from the MWC board.

This is from a blog written by a San Jose Mercury News columnist.

I have said all along the Pac-10 choices are very limited .... 1. Utah, 2. Colorado. 3. UNLV. 4. Nobody else.

I am sure Utah having 35 D-1 recruits this year is something noticed by the Pac-10 schools.

[fbguru]

I will eat crow if this turns out to be true- but for now

[Rosegreen]

socalspud, on 08 February 2010 - 09:21 PM, said:

This is from a blog written by a San Jose Mercury News columnist.

I have said all along the Pac-10 choices are very limited .... 1. Utah, 2. Colorado. 3. UNLV. 4. Nobody else.

I am sure Utah having 35 D-1 recruits this year is something noticed by the Pac-10 schools.

I've always felt that the Utes and UNLV end up in the Pac-10.


I don't see Colorado going anywhere else, they have rivalries in the Big12.

[fbguru]

Rosegreen, on 08 February 2010 - 09:46 PM, said:

I've always felt that the Utes and UNLV end up in the Pac-10.


I don't see Colorado going anywhere else, they have rivalries in the Big12.

Again- crow if it ends up happening, but UNLV? Almost as bad as BSU to the PAC.

[truzoob]

fbguru, on 08 February 2010 - 09:55 PM, said:

Again- crow if it ends up happening, but UNLV? Almost as bad as BSU to the PAC.

I could actually see UNLV going to the P10, it seems like a total long shot though. Utah is easily the most logical, but I really don't see Colorado breaking a half century of rivaly and tradition to move and start alliances with teams they rarely compete against. Also, they make more money in the B12. BYU is very unlikely, so who else out West has the geography, athletic budget, academics, and market? I just can't see Fresno, Boise, Nevada, or San Diego St making that list. This is why I have a hard time seeing the P10 ever expanding.

[RamAlum]

Well, its a more credible source than Bleacher Report, this could get ugly for the MWC.

[Chad Sexington]

RamAlum, on 08 February 2010 - 10:11 PM, said:

Well, its a more credible source than Bleacher Report, this could get ugly for the MWC.

I don't think that is necessarily true.
If UTAH leaves and Boise comes in...
TCU and mip will form a very nice nucleus, add Boise and possibly Houston and one could argue the MWC is actually stronger.
This could be very bad for the WAC since that conference as a whole is downstream from the MWC. Throw CUSA in that same boat as well.

[RamAlum]

Chad Sexington, on 08 February 2010 - 10:23 PM, said:

I don't think that is necessarily true.
If UTAH leaves and Boise comes in...
TCU and mip will form a very nice nucleus, add Boise and possibly Houston and one could argue the MWC is actually stronger.
This could be very bad for the WAC since that conference as a whole is downstream from the MWC. Throw CUSA in that same boat as well.

Colorado leaving would open a spot in the Big 12 North, I would be shocked if they didnt take BYU. Could be a sad ending for the little conference that could.

[Chad Sexington]

RamAlum, on 08 February 2010 - 10:47 PM, said:

Colorado leaving would open a spot in the Big 12 North, I would be shocked if they didnt take BYU. Could be a sad ending for the little conference that could.

I still have my doubts that it would signal the end for the MWC because there would remain a plausible scenario in which the MWC would continue to be on track for AQ inclusion. It's the conferences downstream from the MWC that should worry because that would end all of their aspirations for inclusion and would probably create an additional tier similar to but above FCS.

[RamAlum]

I guess we will find out here soon.

[bluebrotha]

I take the rumor a bit more seriously since there has been no announcement by the MWC to add Boise. The TCU announcement in 2004 came at the end of January. So, you'd think the BSU announcement would have come at the same time. Maybe a wrench was thrown in the mix which has delayed the BSU addition. This could be that wrench.

[animus]

So many rumors, its been a crazy couple of weeks on the expansion rumor front. Hopefully none of this comes to fruition because the Big East and MWC could cease to exist as we know it. Looks like we could only have 5 BCS conferences. Like I said, I hope nothing comes out of this. I'd like to see the MWC join the cartel and earns the money it deserves.

[Reb Baron]

bluebrotha, on 08 February 2010 - 10:18 PM, said:

I take the rumor a bit more seriously since there has been no announcement by the MWC to add Boise. The TCU announcement in 2004 came at the end of January. So, you'd think the BSU announcement would have come at the same time. Maybe a wrench was thrown in the mix which has delayed the BSU addition. This could be that wrench.

Or it could be as simple as we are getting enough press with basketball at the moment and we don't need a distraction of that. Maybe mid-march.

.

[bluebrotha]

Reb Baron, on 08 February 2010 - 11:21 PM, said:

Or it could be as simple as we are getting enough press with basketball at the moment and we don't need a distraction of that. Maybe mid-march.

.

Your telling me since UNLV, NM, and BYU have won some recent BBall games the MWC commissioner is holding off on a BSU announcement ?

[Reb Baron]

bluebrotha, on 08 February 2010 - 10:27 PM, said:

Your telling me since UNLV, NM, and BYU have won some recent BBall games the MWC commissioner is holding off on a BSU announcement ?

Believe it or not but the top 6 conferences do play more sports than just football. The BCS may have started as a football designation but it's more now, If you want to join you must have all your ducks in a row, that includes basketball. So yes he could be holding off since we have 3 teams currently ranked in basketball, Just like in football only these teams, except for BYU are different MWC teams which shows the MWC in a better overall light.

.

[bluebrotha]

animus, on 08 February 2010 - 11:20 PM, said:

So many rumors, its been a crazy couple of weeks on the expansion rumor front. Hopefully none of this comes to fruition because the Big East and MWC could cease to exist as we know it. Looks like we could only have 5 BCS conferences. Like I said, I hope nothing comes out of this. I'd like to see the MWC join the cartel and earns the money it deserves.

What about a BE and MWC alliance ? If Utah and Pitt leave, why not combine the best programs to create a 12 or 14 team conference ? (East and West) Have a Championship game prior to the BCS bowl. Heck, its not a bad idea to look at now. The BE is hurting, especially when Pitt takes off. You can keep UNLV, SDSU and NM in the conference as basketball only programs, similar to what the BE has now.

United Conference:

Big East Division:
Cincinnati
West Virginia
Rutgers
Connecticut
South Florida
Louisville
Syracuse

Mountain Division:
Boise State
BYU
TCU
Colorado State
Air Force
Fresno State
and I can't decide who should/would follow

[bluebrotha]

Reb Baron, on 08 February 2010 - 11:34 PM, said:

Believe it or not but the top 6 conferences do play more sports than just football. The BCS may have started as a football designation but it's more now, If you want to join you must have all your ducks in a row, that includes basketball. So yes he could be holding off since we have 3 teams currently ranked in basketball, Just like in football only these teams, except for BYU are different MWC teams which shows the MWC in a better overall light.

.

It's just I believe the addition of BSU in the MWC only proves good publicity for the MWC, therefore, why not get the nation talking about the MWC prior to the NCAA selection time for March Madness. ESPN and others talking about the MWC will not impact BBall negatively, only positives could result.

[animus]

It could be more than just Pitt and Utah leaving... Big 10 could end up being a 14 or 16 team giant. You could see Pitt, Rutgers, and Cuse and Mizzou all could end up in that cluster####. That could open up BYU and TCU to the Big XII... Plus theres rumors of even the ACC expanding to 14. Doesn't make much sense. But could happen. I'm breaking out the worst case scenerio.

[Rebels18]

Ahhh.. I don't buy it.

But let's play with it for awhile.

So let me get this straight, Utah, UNLV,and Colorado(or 2/3) go to the Pac-10

...aaaand Colorado drops everything to leave the Big-12?--Like someone said, rivalry, tradition. What could Colorado have to gain from this? The Big-12 is better in basketball and football than the Pac-10.--So that BYU can join the Big-12? Would BYU want this? I'd imagine they'd prefer to be in a conference where they are in the center of it all. (Mtn. Channel)--Even though it's a small center.

Utah and UNLV obviously have something to gain going to the Pac-10 (BCS, more national attention, etc)--But it seems fishy.

This is the first time I've heard these rumors--can anyone explain the extent of it? Obviously there's unlimited scenarios if you add other Conferences adding/dropping programs.

[NorCalCoug]

Reb Baron, on 08 February 2010 - 10:21 PM, said:

Or it could be as simple as we are getting enough press with basketball at the moment and we don't need a distraction of that. Maybe mid-march.

.

I think there's ample evidence to suggest the MWC is tactful on when they make certain announcements to keep the conference in the limelight so this wouldn't surprise me at all. Then again, I still don't think a BSU addition is the foregone conclusion most think it is. If it doesn't happen this offseason I'm not sure it ever will.

[bluebrotha]

NorCalCoug, on 08 February 2010 - 11:45 PM, said:

I think there's ample evidence to suggest the MWC is tactful on when they make certain announcements to keep the conference in the limelight so this wouldn't surprise me at all. Then again, I still don't think a BSU addition is the foregone conclusion most think it is. If it doesn't happen this offseason I'm not sure it ever will.

Agreed, BSU is now or never. But you'd think Hair Thompson just might have better persuasion to keep Utah in the conference if he could pretty much guarantee the MWC will be a BCS conference. The only persuading card Thompson could play to ensure that is adding BSU. Otherwise, Utah has little incentive to stay. Cash is King !

[Chad Sexington]

Everyone saying that UTAH wouldn't move if the MWC became AQ, or wondering why would CU move from the Big XII to the PAC XII, read this:

Seattle Times Article

This is why. The PAC thinks they can and should have a TV deal on par with the BigX(I) and the SEC.
To do it there would have to be a 12 team conference with a championship game.

The answer, as always, is money. Pure and simple.

If the PAC can go from a $250mm tv package over ten teams to a $2bn tv deal with 12 teams...well, even I can do that math.