Pac-12 to decide whether to expand within a couple weeks

[jdoggivjc]

Paul 'Don't call me elephant ears' Finebaum doesn't like the the Alliance at all. He believes it is all about controlling the SEC from dominating the playoff.

Leave it to ESPN's #1 diarrhea-of-the-mouth contributor to give the most surface level analysis possible. Yes, this is about preventing the SEC from dominating the playoff (where he stops). In reality, it's about preventing ESPN from having full control of the playoff, because ESPN having full control of the playoff is effectively SEC having full control of the playoff. Because if ESPN has full control of the playoff, it'll be 6-9 SEC programs in the playoff annually when nowhere near that many teams would deserve it. What Finebaum will never admit is this whole thing is about ESPN trying to wrestle full control of college football away from everyone else using SEC as its medium.

 

[CloneGuy8]

Finebaum has the benefit of saying anything he wants because if someone confronts him or calls him out on it, he can just fly away with his ears.

 

[AppleCornCy]

In my humble opinion... This whole scheduling alliance could be as simple as all three conferences agreed to no longer play OOC games against the SEC. Simple.

Everybody is throwing out these "schedule this POD" or this "POD and... crossover games"... pfffttt... Could be as mundane as "no SEC" games? Agreed? Yep. Done. Bang the gavel.

Edit to add.... If my smooth brain is close to correct, it would make sense NOT to invite the B12 to the alliance since there are still two teams in the B12 that are leaving to go SEC.

Nope.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Nope.

You do realize ISU makes agreements to play certain teams 5-6 years in advance, for example, right? This could be nothing more than the finalization of a game that had been agreed to/contractually obligated previously. But it's so much easier for the SECSPN to say "see? Day after alliance it's already broken".

 

[AppleCornCy]

You do realize ISU makes agreements to play certain teams 5-6 years in advance, for example, right? This could be nothing more than the finalization of a game that had been agreed to/contractually obligated previously. But it's so much easier for the SECSPN to say "see? Day after alliance it's already broken".

Sure, but why finalize it if the goal is to not schedule the SEC out of conference?

 

[jdoggivjc]

Sure, but why finalize it if the goal is to not schedule the SEC out of conference?

Contractual obligation (if that's what it was)

 

[Gonzo]

Sure, but why finalize it if the goal is to not schedule the SEC out of conference?

Because this arrangement has probably been in the works for a long time and for USC to back out they likely wouldn't be able to find another suitable opponent in the B1G or ACC because all of their 2024 OOC schedules are probably locked in. It's weird how people expect such immediacy out of an announcement made yesterday.

 

[WesternPA]

The college sports model is soon dead.

 

[CyCrazy]

Sure, but why finalize it if the goal is to not schedule the SEC out of conference?

Because that may or may not have happened a day ago? The alliance is nothing more than fluff.

 

[2speedy1]

Harlan is the UT AD.

PAC 12 announcing they intend to "explore expansion possibilities" would not be "Earth shattering".

PAC 12 announcing they are expanding by 4 teams, which are A,B,C and D, would be "Earth shattering".

Also, what is this guy going to say....the commish is going to announce we are going to expand on Friday? He's going with coach speak like everyone, until the, man with the plan decides to talk.

 

[HawaiiClone]

Notice it will start after he’s likely to be retired. Man, that must have taken a lot of guts to support:roll eyes:

Good point! Will be interesting to see if he makes it to even one of those years.

 

[cyIclSoneU]

Because this arrangement has probably been in the works for a long time and for USC to back out they likely wouldn't be able to find another suitable opponent in the B1G or ACC because all of their 2024 OOC schedules are probably locked in. It's weird how people expect such immediacy out of an announcement made yesterday.

The Alliance schools are still going to play the SEC and Big 12 etc. anyway. I expect the leagues will shift back to 8 conference games and schools will play 1-2 Alliance games a year. If the Big 12 sticks together and expands, I expect the Cy-Hawk to be played at least 50% of the time with Iowa playing 1 Alliance game in Cy-Hawk years (and maybe just in general, with the Cy-Hawk continuing annually). Same with other Alliance league schools that have major non-Alliance rivalries: Clemson/USC, Louisville/Kentucky, Georgia Tech/UGA, etc.

 

[heitclone]

Sure, but why finalize it if the goal is to not schedule the SEC out of conference?

They specifically said in yesterdays announcements that any games under contract would still be honored.

 

[Gorm]

The college sports model is soon dead.

While I agree, lets not overblow what happened. It was just denying a motion to dismiss. Motions to dismiss get filed a LOT. Almost routinely.

 

[Rods79]

PAC 12 announcing they intend to "explore expansion possibilities" would not be "Earth shattering".

PAC 12 announcing they are expanding by 4 teams, which are A,B,C and D, would be "Earth shattering".

Also, what is this guy going to say....the commish is going to announce we are going to expand on Friday? He's going with coach speak like everyone, until the, man with the plan decides to talk.

Agree.

My 2 cents:
I don't think the PAC has formally announced they are accepting resumes...just that they've received interest (the commish has said such to the Twitterati). If anything happens this week, my guess is that it will be a simple formal statement that they are reviewing their expansion options and will make a decision at a later date...essentially formalizing all the rumors and not saying expansion is definitely going to happen. It will be nothing of substance, since a OUTx settlement is not out there yet.

I keep asking myself why would they announce anything before a settlement agreement, or why would they set a quick deadline by this Friday to decide. On the surface, that feels way too soon with all the legal posturing that needs to occur before then, and if they did say they were going to expand, wouldn't that help ESPN's position? But another spin on it could be countering the American (AAC) move. ESPN has been hard on us to join that conference to get everyone at a discount because we have no other options, and kill their OUTx acquisition fees. An expansion statement by the PAC this Friday could be enough to put ESPN's grand plans in that department on notice.

 

[Klubber]

Agree.

My 2 cents:
I don't think the PAC has formally announced they are accepting resumes...just that they've received interest (the commish has said such to the Twitterati). If anything happens this week, my guess is that it will be a simple formal statement that they are reviewing their expansion options and will make a decision at a later date...essentially formalizing all the rumors and not saying expansion is definitely going to happen. It will be nothing of substance, since a OUTx settlement is not out there yet.

I keep asking myself why would they announce anything before a settlement agreement, or why would they set a quick deadline by this Friday to decide. On the surface, that feels way too soon with all the legal posturing that needs to occur before then, and if they did say they were going to expand, wouldn't that help ESPN's position? But another spin on it could be countering the American (AAC) move. ESPN has been hard on us to join that conference to get everyone at a discount because we have no other options, and kill their OUTx acquisition fees. An expansion statement by the PAC this Friday could be enough to put ESPN's grand plans in that department on notice.

The PAC commish has said they have a working group currently vetting schools. That group will then forward their recommendation to the PAC on whether they should expand and with whom. But who knows what that all really means. It was supposed to be announced next week but apparently it's been moved up for some reason. Who knows why.

 

[BCClone]

The PAC commish has said they have a working group currently vetting schools. That group will then forward their recommendation to the PAC on whether they should expand and with whom. But who knows what that all really means. It was supposed to be announced next week but apparently it's been moved up for some reason. Who knows why.

Merton Hanks is in charge of the PAC working group.

 

[Rods79]

The PAC commish has said they have a working group currently vetting schools. That group will then forward their recommendation to the PAC on whether they should expand and with whom. But who knows what that all really means. It was supposed to be announced next week but apparently it's been moved up for some reason. Who knows why.

Yes, he did say that at the PAC-12 Media Days. Maybe that makes my conjecture moot. I'm just imagining a fluff formal announcement of expansion exploration and committee.

I'm fully prepared for an announcement that the PAC is not expanding at this time, but will continue to assess the situation as events unfold (don't panic..legal issues are getting in the way...zip your lips). If it is a negative announcement, I bet they won't shut the door completely because I think we all agree that is crazy for the PAC for many reasons.

I'd be really surprised if he came straight out and said they will expand. I'm hoping he does, but it isn't likely. And if he did, I think the idea is to change the narrative; these Big 12 schools have value that we aren't going to just cede to ESPN for a discount. ESPN will have essentially purchased the Big 12 completely if we merge with the AAC.

 

[scyclonekid]

Acc, pac, big ten won’t expand. Cincinnati, Houston, Memphis, Colorado state we expand with? Might as well start thinking about all outcomes since who knows.

 

[Gonzo]

Merton Hanks is in charge of the PAC working group.

Sounds like he's got it covered.