Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Clippers Need To Realize That Spurs Are The Anti-Grizzlies

Utah officially to the Pac-12 South

The Pac-12 announced divisions today and the Utes have been put in the south division of the newly expanded conference. There they will, as expected, join Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, SC and UCLA. The Pac-12 North will include the Oregon and Washington schools along with Cal and Stanford.

The university presidents also agreed on an equal revenue sharing which will take place in 2012. The plan from Utah's point of view does not change - they will be phased into that sharing over the course of the next three years.

The biggest news, though, just might be the announcement that the conference championship will take place at the home site of the team with the highest seed and potential tie-breaker. That means it's very possible the Utes could be hosting the Pac-12 title game next season against a north team. 

That goes directly against what many of us were led to believe, as it appeared the conference was openly looking at sites throughout the west. However, after discussion, this is what they are set on for the foreseeable future. 

Beyond that, the conference will continue with a nine game schedule, assuring more access to the Southern California teams by those in the Pac-12 North. SC and UCLA will also be guaranteed yearly contests with Stanford and Cal. 

So there you have it. The conference will have equal revenue sharing and an on-campus championship game. The best news of all, of course, is the Utes' move to the Pac-12 South, where they will play Arizona, ASU, Colorado, SC and UCLA yearly. 

Comment 69 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

Correct me if I'm wrong...

but doesn’t this make us the prohibitive Pac-12 South favorites, with USC unable to play in the championship game?

by Jaziggy on Oct 21, 2010 1:50 PM MDT reply actions  

Agreed

Right now, Arizona would probably be favored in a neutral field game. But you have to like our chances.

by SC_Ute on Oct 21, 2010 2:47 PM MDT up reply actions  

If Utah goes undefeated this year, I think they'll be a top-ten team next season.

Maybe even a top-five team with the talent they bring back.

That would probably give them the go ahead as the Pac-12 South favorite.

by JazzyUte on Oct 21, 2010 3:43 PM MDT up reply actions  

No

Next year is next year

"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football."--John Heisman

by Aardvark on Oct 21, 2010 6:38 PM MDT up reply actions  

Not necessarily

This year we might be favorites, next year who knows?

We’d have to be playing those schedules, not the 6 game cupcake eating spree we’re in right now, to show our mettle.

"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football."--John Heisman

by Aardvark on Oct 21, 2010 6:39 PM MDT up 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 in 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. There is not much more exciting or creates life long memories than traveling to a neutral site and watching your team play in a big bowl game or in this case a conference title game. The PAC 12 is really doing their fans a disservice by scheduling the conference title game on campus.

by astanfi on Oct 21, 2010 2:03 PM MDT reply actions  

I agree

with all of your points, but I think it’s important to consider the big benefit of home field advantage: national championship games. If WSU is a strong but not great team coming into the game at 9-3 or 8-4, and Utah comes into the game ranked no. 1 at 12-0, it’s in the best interests of the Pac-12 that Utah win the conference championship game.

Also, there didn’t seem to me a truly strong option for a stadium. It is either in Southern California (which is de-facto home field advantage for two teams), or it’s in Las Vegas, which is not a BCS stadium. A rotating schedule would present all of the same problems for fans travelling, without the NCG benefits. I also think politics play hard in that kind of decision, with the voters banding together to keep the game’s location flexible.

by Jaziggy on Oct 21, 2010 2:16 PM MDT up reply actions  

I see your point

however, it should be about the players and fans, not the conference. Besides, if a 9-3 WSU team beats a 12-0 Utah team (pipe dream fellas, the conference is very deep and undefeated seasons are very rare), then the conference would have two teams in BCS bowl games. At least at a neutral site, the Cougs would have a chance and there would be high interest in the game. If the game was played in Salt Lake, what real chance would Washington State have; therefore, what really interest outside fans of the two teams involved would there really be in the game.

by astanfi on Oct 21, 2010 2:26 PM MDT up reply actions  

San Diego would be a good option until Las Vegas built a real stadium

by astanfi on Oct 21, 2010 2:28 PM MDT up reply actions  

My guess is that the home field arrangement will be temporary.

I keep accidentally eating my pets. Maybe I should get something less appetizing, like a cat instead of a Twinkie.

Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com

by CrimsonUte on Oct 21, 2010 2:46 PM MDT up reply actions  

I bet there will be a few years before they decide.

It may stay that way. The ACC has proven that empty seats generate bad publicity.

The PAC12 is so dispersed that there is a worry the distance will create empty seats.

by daedalus17 on Oct 21, 2010 4:16 PM MDT up reply actions  

it was not fair we had to play bama in their backyard in the sugar bowl.

we overcame adversity and i like the game being played at the top seeds home field.

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 10:39 PM MDT up reply actions  

I think Stan/Cal screwed up.

I don’t think they realize how often playing USC/UCLA when the rest of the division may not, will throw a wrench into their championship hopes. I guess we’ll see, but if I were making the decision, I wouldn’t have put my school at a greater risk to save those annual games.

Also, I think the home field decision is a good one. The ticket allotment will keep this from being a normal home field advantage, and it gives a slight edge to the team who earns it. Guaranteed sellout.

by Alec Eiffle on Oct 21, 2010 2:37 PM MDT reply actions  

From a UW prospective

Frankly, if you win and make consistent conference title game appearances, hopefully winning your fair share, recruiting will take care of itself. By playing USC and UCLA every year, Cal and Stanford have really put themselves at a disadvantage compared to the rest of the northern division when it comes to competing for and winning division titles. They will have to play the LA schools, two very tough out of division games, twice as often as my Huskies do, which is fine by me. They get the so-called recruiting advantage of playing in LA every year while we get a better chance of winning division titles over the long term, which, in reality, will give us a leg up in recruiting.

by astanfi on Oct 21, 2010 3:27 PM MDT up reply actions  

Good point

I hadn’t thought of that. Utah has is an excellent example that winning is the best thing for recruiting.

by daedalus17 on Oct 21, 2010 3:57 PM MDT up reply actions  

It may provide a more challenging road to the CCG

but it is something that the alumni require/demand and the schools currently need for fundraising and athletic donations. There are large alumi bases for each of the CA schools in both the Bay and SoCal so everytime they have an away game it is a chance for them to connect and tap into large alum bases for donations and events.

Besides – although historically the SoCal schools do well in conference – there are ebbs and flows with programs. As an example – Utah and CU are joining when UCLA is down and USC is trending downward from recent pass (with sanctions as well). U of A is on the rise but has no real history of sustained success.

I should be working right now...

by gorams77 on Oct 22, 2010 12:07 AM MDT up reply actions  

It is not just Cal/Stanford demanding these games. They are just as important to USC and UCLA.

Also if USC/UCLA is supposed to represent the strongest pair in the conference it doesn’t really matter if a team plays them in the regular season or not, they still have to beat the best team in the CCG. It’s the overall conference title that matters, nobody remembers who finished 2nd.

by GBB4188 on Oct 22, 2010 1:30 PM MDT up reply actions  

Will Utah have two permanant Northern Foes? Or are only the California teams given that?

by Canadain Ute on Oct 21, 2010 4:03 PM MDT reply actions  

Only California teams are guaranteed cross division games.

I think they got that in return for giving equal revenue distribution.

by daedalus17 on Oct 21, 2010 4:06 PM MDT up reply actions  

Utah will play

Cal and Stanford- every other year, meaning you get one of the two every year.

UW, WSU, OU, OSU- You will play 3 of these teams every year.

by spencer peaty on Oct 21, 2010 4:12 PM MDT up reply actions  

So correct me if I am wrong..

e.g.
UW home, WSU away OU home, CAL away
OSU away. WSU home, UW away, STAN home
UW home, OU away, OSU home, STAN away
WSU away, OU home, OSU away, CAL home
STAN home, UW away, WSU home, OU away
CAL away, OSU home, WSU away, UW home
CAL home, UW away, OU home, OSU away
STAN away, WSU home, OU away, OSU home

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 5:39 AM MDT up reply actions  

That 3 away & 3 home for UW, WSU, OU, OSU and 2 away & 2 home for Cal and Stanford

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 5:44 AM MDT up reply actions  

It does appear that rumor of every team having two 'locked in' members from the opposite division was false...

And only applied to the California schools.

Not that it’s too big of a deal. I think, as spencer peaty said above, it does give them a tougher road than the rest of the conference.

by JazzyUte on Oct 21, 2010 4:48 PM MDT up reply actions  

So when do we see schedules

This Ute in Seattle wants to know if he’ll be able to see his team at Husky Stadium next year.

by kadoogan on Oct 21, 2010 6:42 PM MDT via mobile reply actions  

your talking maybe the vegas bowl? it could happen. utah could go 11-1 and the huskies could get 4th or 5th place in pac-10

and they would play in vegas bowl. i’m optimistic and say we beat tcu this year and we get our 3rd bcs bowl bid and make it 10 straight bowl wins in a row.

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 10:43 PM MDT up reply actions  

haha, no!

I meant that’s when they’re going to release the schedule.

God I hope we’re not going to the Vegas Bowl, >:( BCS OR BUST

by JazzyUte on Oct 21, 2010 11:35 PM MDT up reply actions  

the schedule. their is a chance we would play the washington huskies the first year.

we have not played them in a long time too. i say at least 2 decades.

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 11:42 PM MDT up reply actions  

we were 0-4 vs iowa state and look what happened!

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 22, 2010 10:52 AM MDT up reply actions  

Recruiting Competition

I am glad we are able to go to Southern California every year, and talk to the talent pool they have, where we got players like Smith, Johnson, and Wynn.

HOWEVER, I wonder if the recruiting pool in Utah will be more noticed by schools like USC coming out to hit schools like Bingham High School, and other big Utah schools. I wonder if we would have been able to get people like the Kruger brothers if we had 4-5 other PAC 10 schools also visiting some of these recruits.

Now I don’t doubt that greater exposure is a good thing, but we have had some pretty amazing talent come from local programs, which went unnoticed because they were in Utah.

Then again, it’s not like the best players in Utah haven’t put themselves on the market anyway. It’s not like they hadn’t heard of USC, UCLA, etc. prior to Utah joining the PAC 10, but I wonder if anyone has any fear of this actually hurting our local recruiting.

It seems like that happened to Colorado when they joined the Big 12. It seemed like a lot more Colorado kids went to Texas all of a sudden, rather than more Texas kids going to Colorado.

by jim2 on Oct 21, 2010 7:30 PM MDT reply actions  

Recruiting

If, by Johnson, you mean Bryan, he was recruited from Texas. As a Texas resident, I sure hope the Utes still make it down here to play at least once every couple of years, not just so I can see them, but so we keep our Texas recruiting pipeline open.

On another note, I think the benefit of being in the Pac 12 will far outweigh any downside (like SC and UCLA picking up the Utah kids). As it is now, these schools poach Utah’s top rated prospects. I think the U, being in the PAC, will give these Utah kids a chance to play football at the highest collegiate level while still being close to home and with family members being able to watch every home game in person. The under-the-radar guys that Coach Whit picks up every year will still come too. So, in my opinion, we will still get the underrated guys, but now we get a lot more of the highly touted guys too.

by Ute_in_Austin on Oct 21, 2010 10:34 PM MDT up reply actions  

Duh...

I knew that about BJ. He is my favorite Utah player of all time. I should get that straight in the future. Thanks for the correction.

And I agree with you that recruiting will benefit. I look for excuses to worry.

by jim2 on Oct 22, 2010 9:34 AM MDT up reply actions  

The difference...

Colorado was a “Prestige School”…already grabbing 4-5 star recruits.

As is, we already lose every 4-5 star guy to USC/UCLA. We don’t (haven’t) been getting those guys. We recruit the best athlete and fit him in. Until the last few years, we generally never even got a 4 star recruit…and now, we only get 2-3, with no 5 star recruits. The average Pac-10 team gets 5-8 4 star, and 1-3 five star recruits.

Also, Paul Kruger was just a 2 star athlete. Not that they aren’t great, but the younger Kruger’s definitely rode his coat-tails to a 3-4 star level, and at that point, they’re locked into the Utah tradition.

…and really, what it’s all about is starting. If you’re a recruit, are you going to sit on the bench at USC, or come to Utah and start immediately.

by Middy_U on Oct 21, 2010 10:42 PM MDT up reply actions  

Trust me Jim. Pac-10 schools already know about Utah talent

You look at a lot of the top Utah talent over the years, and hardly any of em have been going to Utah or BYU. (I’m talking cream of the crop here). BYU was lucky to grab a few 4 stars , but most of the top Utah talent is already going to places like USC, Oregon and east coast SEC teams. Take our buddy Joe Kruger for example: During his junior year in HS, he verbally commited to Utah, but during his senior year, he started getting offers from Pac-10 schools. (This makes me like him all the more with his loyalty to stick with Utah and follow his brothers footsteps).
  My point is, I don’t see things changing drastically as they already are. If anything, Utah’s inclusion to the Pac-12 will convince the top local talent to actually stick around as opposed to going to WU,USC or Oregon.

Fear the MUSS!!

by GambitUte on Oct 22, 2010 10:27 AM MDT up reply actions  

OU looks Unbeatable Tonight

Watching Oregon vs UCLA . . . stoked that we will get to play them in the future. But WOW Oregon runs a fast game tempo. We aren’t in the same ballpark yet, based on tonight’s game. Explosive and a half.

by Salsabone on Oct 21, 2010 8:17 PM MDT reply actions  

Oregon is legit...

No question they’re the best team in college football.

Which is why they’ve graced the top of Block U’s BlogPoll for the last three weeks.

by JazzyUte on Oct 21, 2010 9:53 PM MDT up reply actions  

Stanford...

Just couldn’t keep up with Oregon. It was pretty apparent throughout that they faked several injuries in the 2nd half just to give their defense a breather. Oregon looks very good. And the All-Yellow stadium must have been daunting. Poor UCLA. Always getting picked on.

by jim2 on Oct 22, 2010 9:36 AM MDT up reply actions  

While I give Oregon all the props in the world, they are definately legit.

Take that game with a grain of salt. UCLA has been really inconsistent and looked terrible at times this year, clearly that was true last night. Oregon’s looking unstopable can at least in part be attributed to the comparison of them vs. a bad UCLA team. Sort of like how Nebraska looked unstopable against K-State and then craped thier pants vs. Texas.

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

Any idea of TV coverage until 2012??

Scott said that media contract don’t happen until the 2nd year..

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 9:39 AM MDT reply actions  

In 2011

we will be stuck with the crappy FSN deal. This means you never know where your games will be on TV. For example, here is WSU’s televised games thus far:

OSU FSN National
MSU FSNW
SMU CBS College Sports
USC FSNW
UCLA FSNW
OU Replayed on Comcast Sports network. Only available Live in Oregon.
UA Versus
Stan Fox College Sports

The final four games have yet to be scheduled for TV. As you can see, it is nice to have a big sports package where you get all the random channels because you can bet there will be football and basketball games on them. Obviously, the better teams get an occasional ESPN or ABC game, but don’t expect more than 1 or 2. Thank god next year is the last year of this junk.

by spencer peaty on Oct 22, 2010 10:51 AM MDT up reply actions  

Thanx..

..ugg, are we going to miss the MTN???

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 1:17 PM MDT up reply actions  

I don’t think it’s fair to compare Wazzu’s TV schedule to what Utah might see next year.

Here’s one for a more middle of the conference (Cal) team:

UC Davis – CSN California
Colorado – FSN/CSN Bay Area
@ Nevada – ESPN2
@ Arizona – FSN/CSN Bay Area
UCLA – FSN/CSN Bay Area
@ USC – FSN/CSN Bay Area
ASU – FSN/CSN Bay Area
@OSU – TBA
@WSU – TBA
Oregon – Versus
Stanford – FSN/CSN Bay Area
UW – TBA

So, you can pretty reliably just look to your local affiliate of the FSN/CSN network to catch a game. Wazzu obviously isn’t in a media center like the Bay Area or Salt Lake.

by GBB4188 on Oct 22, 2010 1:38 PM MDT up reply actions  

Good point

The games where we have not been on FSN are usually when Washington gets picked up for that time slot, understandably. I’m sure you guys won’t have it too bad. It’s only a one year thing anyway. Larry Scott has said he wants every football and basketball game televised under the new deal. You can bet they will be on a major network or the Pac-12 Network.

by spencer peaty on Oct 22, 2010 2:56 PM MDT up reply actions  

Can't wait

Don’t think the Ducks and Beavers will fare well @ RES in a championship game if there is snow. Also the elevation might slow em down a bit.

by McCracken on Oct 22, 2010 9:39 AM MDT reply actions  

Yeah..

..drizzling rain suck to play in to… its not a real rain.

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 9:49 AM MDT up reply actions  

As long as . . .

We don’t play the ducks this year. Those guys are ridiculous!

"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football."--John Heisman

by Aardvark on Oct 22, 2010 10:04 AM MDT up reply actions  

Ducks are only good because their feathers shed water.

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 10:05 AM MDT up reply actions  

Should be the Oregon Phil Knights

The Ducks play in a small little back water town in the middle of Oregon. The only reason they are what they are is because Phil Knight, owner of Nike, dumps millions of dollars into the program every year. You look at how much legal issues their player are now getting to, combined with how much money is floating around that program, it is only a matter of time before the NCAA comes knocking on their door. Besides, the so-cal schools do not like it when other schools dominate the conference. They came after UW hard when we were the top Dawg in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Hopefully that culture has changed some with the addition of two new schools. The new conference leadership seems much less beholden to the LA schools like the old regime was.

by astanfi on Oct 22, 2010 1:18 PM MDT up reply actions  

T. Boone. Pickens gave okie state 160 million. they are better but i don't think they can beat nebraska or okie

i hope they can this season.

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 22, 2010 3:55 PM MDT up reply actions  

Interesting

"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football."--John Heisman

by Aardvark on Oct 23, 2010 12:01 PM MDT up reply actions  

"Duck season! Rabbit season! Duck Season! Rabbit Season!... Rabbit Season! Duck Season UhOh!"

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 10:43 AM MDT up reply actions  

eating beavers will be fun.

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 22, 2010 10:53 AM MDT up reply actions  

They may

For a time, but it goes around.

"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football."--John Heisman

by Aardvark on Oct 22, 2010 11:51 AM MDT up reply actions  

Because 4 of the 5 other schools have very good football programs, that’s why. The argument can be made that the northern division is a stronger football division then the southern division.

by astanfi on Oct 22, 2010 1:19 PM MDT up reply actions  

I think, right now, it is stronger...

UCLA is obviously down. ASU still hasn’t been able to find its mojo. Colorado will take a few years to get back to respectability. That leaves Arizona, SC and Utah. SC is going to have issues until they’ve weathered this current storm and Arizona has yet to really prove they’re capable of taking it to the next level.

Utah is another wildcard because no one knows how they’ll do in their first season. They could step in and, with a favorable schedule, do some damage. Or they could struggle adjusting.

Either way, the power right now is in the North.

by JazzyUte on Oct 22, 2010 1:22 PM MDT up reply actions  

Utah has a ton of talent, good coaches, and a winning attitude. I think there will be a period of adjusting to a much tougher schedule; however, once the adjustment period is over, Utah will be very competitive. Being in a BCS conference will allow you all to recruit better players in both football and basketball, heck, every sport, over a period of time.

by astanfi on Oct 22, 2010 1:25 PM MDT up reply actions  

Basketball

Curious, what do you all think about the Utes joining the basketball side of things. The PAC 10 is always very competitive in basketball, and know you guys will be playing Arizona, UCLA, Washington, etc every year. UW right now is the best basketball program in the conference. Yearly games against the Utes will be fun.

by astanfi on Oct 22, 2010 1:23 PM MDT reply actions  

We're not good at all in basketball...

Which has always been the school’s strongest program historically. The Runnin’ Utes are coming off a losing season and I think expectations are that they’ll only be marginally better this year.

That means the team could be in for a long period of rebuilding because I guarantee if we’re struggling in the MWC, we’ll struggle even more in the Pac-12.

Hopefully over the next couple years, we’re able to recruit enough talent to become competitive again. There has always been a foundation for success here at Utah and the Pac-12 will only add to it.

I see no reason why, with the right coaches, the Runnin’ Utes can’t once again contend for a national title. Especially now that we’re in a Power Conference.

by JazzyUte on Oct 22, 2010 1:30 PM MDT up reply actions  

A Rick Majerus would help...

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 2:12 PM MDT up reply actions  

Uh . . .

Anyone else could help.

I think we need a new AD.

"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football."--John Heisman

by Aardvark on Oct 23, 2010 12:04 PM MDT up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

"I can't think of many schools that are better than Utah."
- Urban Meyer


"Wow. Wow. Wow."
- Daryl Johnston after Utah took a 21-0 lead on Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl