Utah in the Pac-10????

[Pumchavas28]

I never thought I'd see the day where it would even be a possibility for the Pac-10 to expand...

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/others


Morning Coffee: The Pac-10 case for Utah (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/others/0-0-3/Morning-Coffee--The-Pac-10-case-for-Utah.html) http://assets.espn.go.com/profile/i/trans/icon_report_hi.gif (http://myespn.go.com/profile/violation?ou=othersadmin&at=7&vid=1215529049820)
July 8, 2008 10:57 AM


Posted by ESPN.com's Graham Watson
There are a few upper tier non-BCS schools that are constantly noticed and talked about -- Boise State, Fresno State, BYU. But Utah, a team that was largely under the radar before its 12-0 campaign in 2004, could use this season to make a case for joining that group.

An article posted last night on Block U, Utah's unofficial blog, suggests that the Utes should be the first in line (http://www.blocku.com/2008/7/7/566680/making-the-case-for-utah-a) should the Pac-10 expand.

The article makes several good points about academics and athletics, but readily admits that Utah football's competition over the years isn't comparable to the Pac-10. Utah is 2-2 against Pac-10 teams since 2004, but both those wins came against lackluster Arizona teams. The Utes host Oregon State this season, a team they lost to, 24-7, last year.

Many preseason prognosticators believe Utah will win the Mountain West. It has a favorable schedule that includes a season-opening meeting at Michigan. If the Utes can win that game and stay healthy (three major starters went down with injury in the first few games last season), it could run the table before it hits BYU on Nov. 22.

Maybe then Utah can talk expansion, but I think it's a longshot either way.

Thoughts????

Personally... I'd like to see all the BCS conferences have 10 or 12 teams (preferably 12 with conference chips) & have an outside rep, draw up their schedules so everyone is on an even field... JMO.

[KCAggie]

Utah and BYU both have good athletic programs, and Fresno St. competes in football and baseball. I think the pac 10 could expand to 12 with two of those teams. Have Notre Dame join the big 10.

[Pumchavas28]

Or ND could join the Big East (since the rest of their sports are already there)

[KCAggie]

But that would kill a lot of football rivalries for Notre Dame. Since football rules, and half their schedule is big 10, I think it makes more sense for them to join the big 10.

[Pumchavas28]

I thought ND's biggest rivals were USC & Michigan...Like most schools, can't ND just put USC & ND on their schedule every year..

If anything that would give the Big East 2 games against legit competition every year.

[KCAggie]

But they also play Penn St., Michgan St and Purdue quite often as well. I just see ND as more of a big 10 team than a big east.

[Pumchavas28]

Those aren't their rivals though...

[Pflugerville Ag]

Every major conference should be required to have 12 teams and a championship game.

[aggie1997]

Every major conference should be required to have 12 teams and a championship game.

I agree. Either everyone plays a championship game or no one does.

[Mac94]

Notre Dame has a ton of "rivalries;" from the "big 2" with Michigan and USC to lesser ones with fellow Catholic school Boston College and in state foe Purdue as well as games against Michigan State, Stanford, and Navy.

Still, the college football world moved on from the loss of an annual OU-Nebraska game so I'd bet it could do without the Irish versus Stanford. A Big-10 move would allow it to keep the three Big-10 rivalries while USC and Boston College could be kept as OOC opponents. Heck, they could do the same with Stanford or Navy if they wanted.

[KCAggie]

There are 119 teams right? Add one more and lets have 120 teams. 10 conferences with 12 teams each. Or realign and have 12 conferences with 10 teams each. 12 conference championships, 12 conference winners makes a 12 team playoff. I think it would even be cool, if like every 5 years, the worst team from each conference moves down to 1AA, or whatever it is called now, and 12 new teams move up. A team like App. St could win a conference like conference usa.

[legelegel]

There are 119 teams right? Add one more and lets have 120 teams. 10 conferences with 12 teams each. Or realign and have 12 conferences with 10 teams each. 12 conference championships, 12 conference winners makes a 12 team playoff. I think it would even be cool, if like every 5 years, the worst team from each conference moves down to 1AA, or whatever it is called now, and 12 new teams move up. A team like App. St could win a conference like conference usa.

KCAg, you got that from soccer, right?:D

[Pumchavas28]

120 teams now... Western Kentucky is D-1A now... or 1 season away from it...

[Pumchavas28]

They could realign by Zip Code... JMO... With 12 Teams in Each Conference...

http://www.aggiefans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21995&highlight=Akron&page=2 (http://www.aggiefans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21995&highlight=Akron&page=2)

[KCAggie]

KCAg, you got that from soccer, right?:D

Yea, you got me.

[legelegel]

Yea, you got me.

I've always like that idea, but really haven't studied closely how it works and the true fairness of it.

[Pumchavas28]

I've always like that idea, but really haven't studied closely how it works and the true fairness of it.


Based on how College Football is played, I'd say it would be pretty fair...

[WesTxAg]

putting ND in the big east would give the B-EAST 9 teams....any suggestions to who else they could also add to get an even 10?

[WesTxAg]

keep in mind the MAC has 13 & the WAC and MWAC only have 9 as well:popcorn:

[Pumchavas28]

Any number of teams.... Buffalo, FIU, FAU, UCF, UAB, Memphis, Marshal, ECU, Army, Navy, Western Kentucky, Any team in the MAC.