(04-23-2019 06:41 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  

(04-22-2019 12:01 PM)Win5002 Wrote:  

(04-22-2019 07:35 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  

(04-21-2019 07:11 AM)GE and MTS Wrote:  The more I think about it, the less I like a PAC 12 merger. The only reason they would be interested is if they continue their downward trend and I'd be afraid of them dragging down the Big Ten with them. Suddenly adding all these schools from halfway around the country (or more) with minimal history could really make fans apathetic. Imagine someone like Iowa that would be replacing traditional Big Ten opponents for a couple west coast schools, maybe more. Do you think Oregon or Washington will boost attendance, donations, etc. at Iowa? Would these PAC 12 schools start performing better and caring more about football, basketball, etc. if they were in the Big 10? I don't know but I'd rather take my chances of adding Texas and/or Oklahoma.

Funny thing, ask the XII fanboys and they'll tell you some of the PAC schools are just itching to defect......

I think it COULD work, but it would require a whole lot of logistics to come together. I think all sided would be interested depending on how much $$$ would be involved. If Fox/ESPN would be willing to pony up to not only increase payouts but cover travel expenses it could work.

What might work better would be adding several PAC schools (if several defect to the XII) as another division in football and have the scheduling agreement with the others for the remaining sports. Fold the PAC network into the BTN so all the schools would get coverage and programming.

The ball would be in the court of SC & Stanford, which MIGHT agree is they were allowed to keep their current arrangement with ND.

I don't think Big 12 fans have said they are itching to defect but when USC is getting $20M a year less than Texas & OU they take notice. The only way the PAC was going to be viable long term was taking 6 teams in the beginning which included A&M. Now even 4 teams if off the table, the league has no options to catch up with other leagues. Either the PAC 12 is split between the B1G & Big 12 or a merger of some type with the Big 12 of 16 teams is the only thing that will improve their future.

Maybe not so much on this site, but there are many in the Twitterverse who think it's a foregone conclusion that ASU and U of A are on their way to the XII, probably bringing Utah and Colorado with them. Personally, I think if the PAC were to implode Colorado would first call their old friends in Lincoln to see if there's any room in the B1G neighborhood before going back to the XII.

I think you're right on about the PAC in the fact that I don't know how much longer a blue blood like USC will stand by and smile while schools with lesser resumes from other leagues are making MILLIONS more per year.

Loyalty only goes so far before self-interest kicks in.

I could see USC since they are private, making a move to the Big 12. But I don't see the Cali state schools doing anything. The two Arizona's and Utah and U.S.C would seem more likely to consider the Big 12. Colorado I do think would look into the Big 10.

I don't see the Oregon, Washington, or rest of the Cali schools heading anywhere.