Rumors are once again flaring that the Pac-10 is considering expansion. Here is a Tweet from a talk show host in Salt Lake City, quoting the commissioner of the Pac-10 from a Phoenix radio interview:

http://twitter.com/kgraham1280/status/3718133842

"Pac 10 commish Larry Scott told KTAR-Phx the league will look into expansion in next 18mos. Rumors r Utah & Colorado r favorites 2 jump".

Subject: Colorado and Utah to Pac-10?? **Rumor**



Why add Colorado, when BYU is certainly a suitable fit. The Pac-10 could then adopt a rule stating that none of its teams play on Sunday in most cases (while BYU would not play on Sunday at all).

Adding BYU along with Utah also preserves their rivalry.

Good question. No two schools are more qualified for "elite" BCS conferences than Utah and BYU. They bring size, attendance, athletic success, and a reasonably sized market in Salt Lake City/the entire state of Utah. If they were located in the Eastern or Central time zones, they'd be near other BCS schools and in a BCS conference already.

Utah is a no-brainer. It is a public flagship university, has been successful in revenue sports, and has sufficient academic prestige for the Pac-10.

BYU, in a perfect world, would also be a no-brainer. However, it is not a cultural "fit" for the Pac-10. It has sufficient size, attendance, and athletic success. The LDS church adds a national fan base. However, the Pac-10 frowns on the academic side, especially the lack of emphasis on research relative to other Pac-10 schools. The Pac-10, led by schools such as Cal and Stanford, would also not look too kindly on a institution with a religious and conservative bent. The Pac-10 would not be willing to adopt a no-play-on-Sunday rule for BYU, nor would it be willing to schedule around BYU's refusal to play on Sunday.

Plus, the conference can add the Salt Lake City market with only one school, so they can use the 12th spot to add another market. That brings us to Colorado.

Colorado was offered a spot in the Pac-10 (along with Texas) in the 90’s around the time the Big 12 was formed. They said no at that time, staying with their historical rivals from the old Big 8. If the Pac-10 can make a better financial offer than the Big 12, Colorado might consider it. Their football program has been down in recent years, and their men’s basketball program drags bottom, but they offer the Denver TV market. Granted, Denver is a pro sports town, and CU struggles with attendance when not playing a quality team, but Denver offers market size. CU has recruited California heavily for athletes, and the school is definitely more Western than Midwestern. The people in Boulder would probably rather be associated with Berkeley and Palo Alto than Ames and Stillwater.

Article out of Salt Lake City that discusses PAC 10 expansion internet rumor at http://www.sltrib.com/collegesports/ci_13277807

The Pac 10 gets the two largest remaining markets in the Mountain Time Zone outside of Phoenix by taking Colorado and Utah. The Pac-10 could still play nine conference games, and the divisions for football could be arranged much like the ACC so everyone plays three road games in Calif

Red Division/Blue Division:
USC/UCLA
Stanford/California
-------------------
Oregon State/Oregon
Washington State/Washington
-------------------
Arizona State/Arizona
Utah/Colorado

For example, Washington State would play its division opponents, Washington, and Oregon every year, and would travel to either USC or Stanford. If Washington State also plays California that year, WSU's schedule would be arranged so that they have Stanford at home and California on the road, or vice versa; the same would apply with USC and UCLA. Over four years, Washington State would play six games in California-not a huge loss from the eight games every four years they would play now.

The championship game could be held in San Diego.

While there are still two divisions, this effectively creates three "quads": Northwest, California, and Mountain.

I think if your the PAC-10, u need the Denver market 1st. Then choose who to pair with CU. While BYU seems like the top pick, Utah may politically be the way to go. The boost they'd get from P10 membership would put them on par with nearly all P10 schools.

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what if Colorado refuses again? Utah and....? UNLV? Air Force? Colorado St.? San Diego St.? (Boise St. & Fresno St.? who quinn said no way to)

If Colorado says yes. Colorado St. to the Big 12? TCU? (if TCU went one of the Oklahomas would have to go to the North

Boise St. to the MWC and Fresno St. or Houston or both which would put them at 10?

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If Colorado decides not to join, there is no expansion. Simple.

For that matter, I still think Utah is a non-starter in terms of Pac-10 expansion. I don't think they'll get the votes. I know they do NOT expand Pac-10 broadcast coverage.

The economic reality has not changed for the Pac-10, new commisioner or no. The schools have to approve this, and there are reasons not to do so.

I thin Arkansas might be a possibility as well as long as they would be guaranteed a spot in the South with their old Southwest Conference rivals. Once again that would require moving one of the Oklahoma's to the North.

I'm liking TCU or Houston to replace Colorado. They could do a East/West instead of North/South. But I think they'd want Oklahoma St. in the North. The South is stacked.

I agree no Colorado no expansion. I think this is a move that Colorado and Utah should make though if offered. Why expand? Because you get to play another top 5,10,15 team to end the season on the last week, to get the last "hey look at me" Give us a shot at the championship. USC vs UCLA just isn't the same as Florida vs Alabama, both got BCS bid = more $$$. This would cause the Big Ten to add Syracuse, Rutgers, or Missouri so they can be in the mix. MWC adds Boise St. and 1-2 more to get to 10 depending on if the B12 takes TCU. Maybe they go to 12 too so they can play a meaningful game on the last saturday.

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agree, Colorado is the key. No expansion for expansion sake. It's about Denver. As for Utah, the state is a growing market including recruiting. The key with Utah is that by being in the P10, they would be a tier up In following and recruting. Mch like USF in the big east

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I don't know why the Pac10 expanding (if it indeed happens) would all of a sudden get the Big 10 to expand. The Big 10 will expand when they WANT to expand. They are already making the most money out of all of the conferences in TV rights. The Pac 10 realizes they are falling desperately behind the SEC and Big 10 and are looking to possibily create a conference network in order to generate more revenue.

I think one thing might be interesting about this. If CU leaves for the Pac 10, who does the Big 12 take? Think about this for 'conspiracies: If the Pac 10 DOES take Utah and Colorado, does the Big 12 take BYU? I don't think the Big 12 takes TCU - they already have all of Texas covered with the 4 Texas teams. Anyway, would this kill or severely dent any chances of the MWC getting a BCS bid - even if they expanded with Boise? Something to keep in mind.

In football the Big Ten is falling behind not the Pac 10. Its a monkey see monkey do. SEC goes to 12 boom Big 12, MAC, BE 16, WAC failed 16. Conference title game makes $$$ brings in recruits. Count on the the Big 10 going to 12 within 2-3 years after the Pac 10 does, if they do. The Big Ten wants to be 12. ND just refuses to join.

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Houston 3rd largest market in the US isn't in the Big 12 They don't have anyone in Dallas either. Why not Houston or TCU, maybe Colorado St. Arkansas seems like a pipe dream. BYU just seems too far west and I think would get a no vote from the other schools. Everyone has a boner for BYU cuz they're good right now. Big 12 is the Big 8 plus the SWC, Houston, TCU were SWC.

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