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AndyPanda's avatar

Regarding schools leaving the Pac-12, and other conferences for that matter, the announcement of the coming expansion of the CFP playoffs from 4 teams to 12, which opened doors for a lot of teams that would have had to go through a door in the SEC or B1G otherwise changed every calculus for every sport everywhere in the FBS. A lot of things that were serious and legitimate necessities immediately ceased to be necessary, and a lot of other options (including holding the remnants of the Pac together) instantly went from untenable to the best option.

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jon joseph's avatar

Spot on. Currently over ranked SC and a revitalized and currently under ranked UCLA would be Pac-12 CFB PO contenders every season. Now? Get in line behind Ohio State, Michigan, perhaps Penn State and Wisconsin when the Badgers bounce back.

Good luck playing games in B1G stadiums in November.

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AndyPanda's avatar

It could work out for USC, when they have the right coach (and they might now); SC is just a different animal. But UCLA has made life more difficult for itself.

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CJ's avatar

Agreed. It takes a lot of time for teams to work their way into the top echelon of a division or conference. SC and UCLA did that in the Pac 12 over decades of competitiveness, now they could be facing having to climb a new pecking order out in the bitter cold midwest and it may not go how they like.

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AndyPanda's avatar

In reality, its 4 trips per year, and at least a couple will be early enough that weather won't be an issue. They currently risk a November trip to the NW or the mountains, so its more a matter of length, not the weather. I'd also expect the schedule to be slightly back-loaded with games in LA, as the B1G tries to avoid a bad weather game; some midwest teams might like an LA trip in mid-November.

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JimS's avatar

They may get an invite. But if they only have half the financial resources for coaches, expanded staff, facilities, and potentially revenue sharing with athletes they won’t advance far.

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