The Future Of The Pac-12: Divisions Announced, Championship Game At Top Seed's Stadium

by Jon Woods on Oct 21, 2010 1:04 PM MDT

Larry Scott and the new Pac-12 have announced the structure of the new conference that will begin play in the 2011 athletic season. There weren't too many surprises outside of the news that the conference championship game will be at the home field of the team with the best conference record and the California schools getting "locked" cross-divisional yearly match-ups. These decisions were reached and decided upon unanimously, something that says a lot about the attitude of the conference going forward.

The Colorado Buffaloes and Utah Utes will become a official members of the Pac-12 on July 1st, 2011.

The Pac-12 conference will have equal revenue sharing amongst all schools going forward. This is fantastic news that puts the member institutions on an equal playing field. This is HUGE for the Buffs. Utah's revenue sharing will still be phased in over three years.

Starting in 2012 all media revenues will be shared equally. If it at any time that revenue figure drops below $120M, USC and UCLA will receive an extra stipend to make sure that those universities are realizing a similar level of growth to the others.

The divisions for football are as follows: The Pac-12 South will include USC, UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah. The Pac-12 will include Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, California, and Stanford.

Current rivalries amongst the schools will remain completely intact. In football, each team will play a nine game conference schedule. They will play each team in their division every year, and 4 from the other division. The northern and southern California teams will have "locked" cross-divisional games every single season. The 2011-12 conference schedules will be released in 30-45 days.

The football conference championship game will be played on the home field of the top seed between the two division winners. The top seed will be determined by overall conference records, with tiebreakers in place in case of a tie. USC is not eligible to play in the championship game in 2011 pending their current appeal.

There will be no division in any other sports. Men's and women's basketball will play an 18 game conference schedule with guaranteed rivalry games. Thoughts?

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Great

That’s it

by cnbuff410 on Oct 21, 2010 1:19 PM MDT reply actions

Fantastic

by highlandsbuff on Oct 21, 2010 1:22 PM MDT reply actions

Overall, it sounds pretty fair. Not a huge fan of having the conference title game being played at the home stadium of the top seeded division winner. It is not really fair for the players or the fans of the lower seeded team. The players won their division and should have an opportunity to play a post season game at a neutral site, and the fans of the second seeded team should have the opportunity to travel too and experience for what could be for some set of fans once-in-the-life time conference title game. If the home team fans take all the seats, the second seeded team’s fans may never get the chance to see their team play in the game. For certain teams this may not be a big deal because they are likely to appear a numerous conference title games; however, some teams say like Washington State, who is not likely to appear in all that many conference title games, the league is really doing these fans and players a disservice by making it almost impossible for them to see their team play in person.

by astanfi on Oct 21, 2010 1:54 PM MDT reply actions

Hmm...

Mileage may vary in conferences named after federal regulatory commissions, but in my experience, ‘Neutral site’ Championship games have been anything but.

At least for Colorado, not one of our Big12 Championship games played in the state fo texas were close to being neutral. (i’d comment on others, but I wasn’t there)

I like it because it’s more direct revenue for the universities that participate and their (mostly) local communities

by Ash Jackson on Oct 21, 2010 2:38 PM MDT up reply actions

Some Speculation

I would imagine a large allotment of tickets (about 50%) would be provided to the 2 seed. I would also imagine the 2 seed being unable to sell more than half their allotment, instead selling them back to the home team fans, creating the home field advantage.

by chowder on Oct 21, 2010 2:56 PM MDT up reply actions

If this is the case, then I would have less of a problem with it. The more I think about it, the more I do not mind it. As long as their is a significant allotment for the traveling team, at least 25%.

by astanfi on Oct 21, 2010 3:30 PM MDT up reply actions

no way

the atmosphere will be so much better this way. neutral site games are always lame in my opinion. i like the idea

by skithebert on Oct 21, 2010 3:31 PM MDT up reply actions

Just think..

…with NCAA sanctions next year’s CCG could be in SLC… easy travel.

Zoo Cougar n. A "special" breed of feline, characterized by its propensity to have its attempts at swallowing a canary inevitably resulting in its choking on crow. See also: Zoobie, Cosmo Nut, Sexless Cat, Hippo-C-Rat origin: It takes a special kind of kitty to try and swallow the canary and end up choking on crow. --Ute Proverb

"If going undefeated in a non-AQ conference is so easy why aren't more teams doing it???" --Andrea Adelson, ESPN?!?

by Ravenous Ute on Oct 22, 2010 10:33 AM MDT up reply actions

Great news all around

You mentioned Utah gets revenue sharing phased in over three years, do we get full sharing from day 1? I’m guessing we don’t since we weren’t originally contracted to come till 2012. Full sharing from 2012? Whatever though, I’m happy.

The home stadium thing for the championship game is a little surprising but I kind of like it too. I hate college games played in NFL stadiums. I bet Oregon is salivating at the prospect of having the championship game in Autzen in the coming years. The sizes of the stadiums and accessibility of the towns varies SO much in the Pac-12. No offense to our new brothers at WSU, but that would kind of be a disaster if a conference that is trying to get their championship game on the map nationally has it in a 35,000 seat stadium in Pullman. Not a very likely scenario I’ll admit though…

by nebraskasux on Oct 21, 2010 1:59 PM MDT reply actions

I remember reading

That we get the equal of a full share from Day 1 – taking into account the loan we’ll’ve received to pay the Big Xii.

I agree with you, I like the championship game being played at the school’s stadium. College games should be in college stadiums. I’m really glad the conference decided to do that.

by Ash Jackson on Oct 21, 2010 2:32 PM MDT up reply actions

We aren't getting Equal sharing day 1

I’m pretty sure the revenue doesn’t get redone until the 2012-13 academic year, so we will have 1 yr under the old TV deal

by roxbombers on Oct 21, 2010 5:10 PM MDT up reply actions

Just imagine how pissed off those smug/arrogant Trojan or Bruin fans would be if they had to travel to Pullman in mid November and play in a snow storm or rain storm in Seattle for a conference title. Same thing if one of the bay area schools had to travel to Salt Lake or Boulder, interesting.

by astanfi on Oct 21, 2010 3:34 PM MDT up reply actions

that would be so awesome

a snowy pac-12 championship in boulder. ahhh snow games are the best.

by skithebert on Oct 21, 2010 3:36 PM MDT up reply actions

Of course this is all theoretical at this point

Need I remind you of this past Saturday with Baylor….. We might be a long ways off before we are the top seed in the PAC 12.

However, it is cool to think about!!

by BuffnBigD on Oct 21, 2010 3:57 PM MDT up reply actions

Utah will step up for your Ice CCG.

"If going undefeated in a non-AQ conference is so easy why aren't more teams doing it???" --Andrea Adelson, ESPN?!?

by Ravenous Ute on Oct 22, 2010 2:10 PM MDT up reply actions

It'll happen someday, although it may take 15 years

Remember USC refused to come to Pullman for like 25 years from the 50’s to the 70’s. WSU only hosted USC 4 times in Spokane and Seattle during that time.

So yeah, I would love to see the L.A. fans try to find Pullman in a blizzard in early December. I just love the full fledge college atmosphere of a host team in the championship game.

by spencer peaty on Oct 21, 2010 4:25 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm happy

Looking forward to when the schedules are released next month.

by clbuff28 on Oct 21, 2010 2:19 PM MDT reply actions

Bieniemy

Lead us into the PAC

by DABUFFS50 on Oct 21, 2010 2:41 PM MDT reply actions

do you think he will do a better job than any other candidate or because hes a buff he knows how to win at boulder

by roxbombers on Oct 21, 2010 5:43 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Awesome

Now we need to hire Mike Leach. Proven winner and ability to recruit at a smaller school. He will rock the sunny Pac10.

by BuffulanceMan on Oct 21, 2010 3:25 PM MDT reply actions

nooooooo. you always want to be #2 or #3 in the division?

no way he gets along with the peoples republic of bouler but the dude never won anything

by roxbombers on Oct 21, 2010 5:42 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

LOL

Yeah, you’re right. At TTech!!!! he never had a season with less than 7 wins. EVER. In 10 years, he was 1st in the S once (tied), tied for 2nd twice, and 3rd 4 times. Remember, the S. has/had OU and UT. And they were awesome over the last 10 years. His record is 84-43

GB had a 49-38 record at CU, Ricky 33-14, Bill Mac – 93-55. Yes, he never won the Big 12, but who’ a more proven and available College HC?

by BuffulanceMan on Oct 22, 2010 9:03 AM MDT up reply actions

Best possible outcome

We got the perfect division for us to begin our ascent next year in the PAC 12. Now all we need is a new coach…..cough…Bienemy!…cough, cough…
Go Buffs!

by CleBUFFS on Oct 21, 2010 4:40 PM MDT via mobile reply actions

maybe its becase im just a youngin and didnt get to see EB get to play and lead this team but i think there are far better candidates out there for this job

by roxbombers on Oct 21, 2010 5:45 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

True

There are candidates with better resumes, and frankly, I never really paid attention to his playing days either being in 4-8 grade and living in Cleveland. But, I love the guys fire for football and I DO remember him being the one coach firing up the players during CU’s Big XII championship season in 2001. Not to mention that he is from SoCal, is a great recruiter and has now paid his dues to get a shot at head coach – CU RB coach, UCLA Coach & Minnesota Coach. I’m all in for him

by CleBUFFS on Oct 21, 2010 6:33 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

I guess so but I think any coach is going to be a lot more fired up then dan

by roxbombers on Oct 21, 2010 6:44 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

No more Zen

Bienemy is much more qualified than Hawkins ever was in my mind b/c he has coached in two BCS conferences and then the NFL – He gets what it takes to win on a big stage. The key, in my opinion, is if CU will spend some money on quality assistants. This is our one chance to build off of all the goodwill with the move to the PAC 12 and get things going again. We’ll see

by CleBUFFS on Oct 21, 2010 7:11 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Keep

Cabral
Collin
Ambrose
Prince

by BuffulanceMan on Oct 22, 2010 9:05 AM MDT up reply actions

Hoke would be good..

..but you need to grab the whole coaching staff. Gone are the days of one coach fixing it all you need a working package.

"If going undefeated in a non-AQ conference is so easy why aren't more teams doing it???" --Andrea Adelson, ESPN?!?

by Ravenous Ute on Oct 22, 2010 10:37 AM MDT up reply actions

Great news all-around, IMO.

Being in the same division as the two SoCal teams will ensure that CU travels to LA once a year . . . awesome for recruiting that area.

Equal revenue sharing is also a great development . . . so nice to not be in the tyrany of a Texas-bullied conference.

I also like the idea of playing the conference championship game at the top seed’s stadium . . . imagine the atmosphere the weekend of/day of/during the game if it’s at any of the schools not in LA . . . epic.

by blooming rock on Oct 21, 2010 4:40 PM MDT reply actions

Totally agree on the home field advantage, like a mini superbowl for the town.

Only issue is traveling if it comes down to the last eel of games

by roxbombers on Oct 21, 2010 5:47 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

I guess, but I'd travel to Eugene, San Fran, LA, Phoenix, Tucson, even the Washington schools any day . . .

. . . over Dallas or Kansas City for a Big XII championship game.

by blooming rock on Oct 22, 2010 12:53 PM MDT up reply actions

like the championship game idea and love the division!

NFL Stadiums are lame! this is college football! for the host team its great, the money stays in the PAC 12 and there def wont be empty seats!

We need mac with bienemy as his asst coach in waiting or whatever and will be back on top by one or two recruiting cycles! Damn i wish i wasn’t graduating!

by fluffybuff on Oct 21, 2010 6:13 PM MDT reply actions

just noticed

there sure is a lot of red in our division. utah, usc, asu, uofa

For some reason, i always hate it when teams with the same colors play each other. like us playing missouri. bleh.

by skithebert on Oct 21, 2010 10:52 PM MDT reply actions

As a Utah fan i'm very excited to be in this division with colorado and Usc.

Getting a chance every year to beat the trojans when they are down will be fun. Btw the last time the two teams played was in the vegas bowl with carson palmer as qb and pete carroll as coach. We won and i think the score was about 14 -6. it was a defensive battle. Good luck to your team

I'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. Glory favors the bold. Chance favors the prepared mind. Luck, well i have that too. University of Utah goes to the Pac-12 conference in 2011. I expect them to compete immediately for the conference CG. Brock Lesnar will defeat Cain Velasquez. The most hated and misunderstood person on the MMA blogs.. Utah and Boise take care of business in week one. Don't be surprised if they both go undefeated.

by wolfmanshowlforever on Oct 21, 2010 11:33 PM MDT reply actions

Utah is going to be in for a rude awakening

No more 10 win seasons for you guys as you can as I think the worse team in the pac12 (Wasu) would beat the following MoutainWorst teams… at Pullman, at least:

Wyo
CSU
UNM
UNLV

Good luck, though. Hope you guys can fill your new stadium in 3 years.

by BuffulanceMan on Oct 22, 2010 9:09 AM MDT up reply actions

Thanks for the backhanded compliment

I happen to think Utah will step in and do fine. They don’t seem to have too much trouble with other BCS schools, though of course it’s different when you play one every week.

by johnnycougar on Oct 22, 2010 12:22 PM MDT up reply actions

Umm, yeah, that wan't a compliment at all.

I think Utah will be very competitive in the south division the first few years . . . but highly doubt they will “beat up” on teams week in and week out. They’re certainly in better position to win out of the gate than CU is.

by blooming rock on Oct 22, 2010 12:56 PM MDT up reply actions

Colorado.

by wolfmanshowlforever on Oct 21, 2010 11:33 PM MDT reply actions

The only thing I don't like is the 9 game conference schedule

I just like the idea of everyone having the same amount of home games but no bid deal. Bienemy for HC and Mcartney for AD.

Walter Sobchak: "Also, let's not forget - let's *not* forget, Dude - that keeping wildlife, an amphibious rodent, for uh, domestic, you know, within the city - that aint legal either. "

by lakebuff on Oct 22, 2010 8:54 AM MDT reply actions