39 Comments
Jul 30, 2022Liked by John Canzano

Oh I wish he could’ve said what we all think…FU to the Big 10. From a family of IU Hoosiers, I was disgusted with the addition of Nebraska, Rutgers, Maryland when it happened. They bring NOTHING athletics wise.

And having those Cali schools in my conference makes me ill. Californication.

Expand full comment
Jul 30, 2022Liked by John Canzano

Just for fun I hope USC gets a mud hole stomped in them every Saturday. Just for fun though hahahaha.

Expand full comment

Herm Edwards’s quote speaks truth about the changing college sports landscape. I am wondering if Jonathan Smith will hold a car wash as a fundraiser.

Expand full comment

Well here's a neat tidbit....USC's president "shut down" Pac-12 expansion talks last summer.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2022-07-29/usc-president-carol-folt-pac-12-expansion

Expand full comment
Jul 30, 2022Liked by John Canzano

In situations like this my late hero George Leonard would ask himself: "Why does it have to be done this way, and what would it look like if it were done a different way?" Seems to me, John, this is relevant to the whole college football situation. And other than money, nothing else seems to offer a rational answer. Hang in there, really appreciate the updates.

Expand full comment

John, did you get any sense that Kliavkoff regretted either the Alliance or his vote against the CFP proposal last year? I know it still wouldn't have mattered if he voted yes, as long as Warren and Phillips were still no's, but right now 6 automatic bids for conference champs looks really good from a Pac perspective and something that good seems unlikely to be on the table next time around.

Expand full comment
Jul 30, 2022Liked by John Canzano

I’m curious why folks thought the commissioners comments were off script? It’s an interesting comment as I think that is part of the PAC 12/10 issue. So worried about outward appearances that the conference is being outmaneuvered on a daily basis. He stood up for the conference vs. being nice ( purposely didn’t day political correct as that isn’t where the conversation should go) and stated the conference has a future. Maybe it does and maybe it doesn’t but at least someone stood up for it.

I just wish the conference would realize that bold action vs. the normal “academic arrogance” is what is needed. Seriously one move from the Big 10 and the conference is done. It’s that close to being over. Love the PAC 12/10. Let’s go and do what needs to be done to move forward.

Expand full comment
Jul 30, 2022Liked by John Canzano

Every team in every sport needs to put their focus on beating USC and UCLA. Hopefully the conference stays together. Any playoff should have an automatic bid for each of the major conferences, just like in basketball. They play different schedules. Need to incentivize tough schedules.

Expand full comment
Jul 30, 2022Liked by John Canzano

Speaking of outside the box...maybe the conference needs to consider Harbaugh's idea

of linking a media contract with paying NIL revenue to players, that would totally change

the dynamics.

Expand full comment
founding

Didn’t like Riley’s comment. I hope it sounded better than it came across in print.

Expand full comment

What most don’t get is unlike in Oregon where Oregon is the larger University…. the Cal State System is twice as large as the UC System. What should have happened a PAC-12 Media day is something like the following:

While we are saddened by the loss of USC and UCLA their leaving opens the opportunity to do something that should have been done years ago. We today are announcing the addition of the 4M Cal State Alumni and their families to the PAC-12 conference.

Representing both Southern California and the great Central Valley both SDSU and Fresno State will be rebranding and joining the PAC 12 starting 2023.

Expand full comment
Jul 30, 2022·edited Jul 30, 2022

Thank you for your updates. I've been wanting Kliavkoff to go nuclear and really punish ucla and usc. Emotionally its what I think many of us were hoping for but he took the highest of roads yesterday and I respect him a lot for it. He asked that we embrace the blameless student athletes and coaches from USC and UCLA and in the next 2 years their success is our success.

After hearing that, who wouldn't want to be associated with Kliavkoff? Or would they feel better throwing their lot in with the cut throat, back stabbing Big 10 commissioner - Kevin Warren. Warren's only focus has been money with zero concern for the impact on the students or the fans. (travel, tradition, game times...)

With Kliavkoff he really tried to put the focus on the kids and I am wondering what do the student athletes at the remaining 10 schools think about all this? Probably most are where they want to be...playing for a coach and teammates they like and want to be around, and going to a good quality school. I'm also thinking it gives them a little added incentive and they will have more of a chip on their shoulder.

The remaining PAC 10 golf, track, lacrosse, and baseball/softball teams are breathing sighs of relief they won't have to compete in Midwest spring weather. Will USC and UCLA compete in Hockey? Wrestling? The culture is a terrible fit. I feel bad for all the student athletes caught up in this.

I am more confident about the PAC 12's future with Kliavkoff and I really like his approach. As fans I think we need to step up and support our teams, get out to the stadiums and tailgate like 1999! So what the 2 most ""popular"" kids just left the dance? Now we're going to have more fun and let's make them regret leaving the party early!!

Expand full comment

No doubt the SEC is the best conference, but seeing Alabama play Georgia 3 times is boring. A 12 team playoff with 5 automatic bids, still leaves plenty of room for Big 10 and SEC teams to make it. The TV networks certainly don't want two teams from the south playing each other all the time every year. Rematches are terrible in college football. Go Bears!

Expand full comment

Another Canzano column where nothing really happens. John goes to LA ..overhears some stuff.

Expand full comment

I’m very weary of it all. In the end the fans get the left-overs.

Expand full comment

Good article but I think the PAC is dead and it will be killed by its own hubris.

When a Washington fan wrote about the PAC-12 they expressed concern for Washington State. But unlike in Oregon, Washington and Arizona, California State alumni are shut out. That’s 4M alumni and 400,000 students in the CA State system. Not to mention their friends and families.

What is the PAC-12’s message to them? You aren’t good enough for us. It’s not a surprise that those associated with the Cal States have little interest in the PAC except when they play SJSU, Fresno or SDSU. The PAC will continue down that path and in doing so sign their own death warrant.

Expand full comment