Some speculate that the current financial situation will lead the Pac-10 to have a serious discussion about expansion at this weekend's meetings. Adding television markets and potential bowl revenue would bring in more revenue to the conference, whose earnings are less than half of that of the Big Televen. It may also help the Pac-10 negotiate for its own television network. Before the Pac-10 decides to expand, it has to determine who it would add to the conference. Let's take a look at the top candidates.
Which schools are under consideration? Scott won't discuss specific schools, but the logical options are Colorado and Utah because of their proximity to the West Coast and size of their television markets (Denver is the 16th largest in the country, Salt Lake City the 31st largest). Both schools also offer broad-based athletic programs and are major research institutions.
Boise State, Nevada, UNLV, Fresno State and San Diego State are lacking in either academic clout or TV markets — or both.
"A lot of factors go into compatibility," Scott said. "There's a pretty high bar for the types of schools that are viable academically."
UPDATE: According to a report from the usually reliable Chip Brown, the super announcement coming Monday could be our list of expansion candidates. Boy are they impressive.
Because it appears the Pac-10, which has its meetings in San Francisco starting this weekend, is prepared to make a bold move and invite Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado to join its league, according to multiple sources close to the situation.
Coug Center points out that it would return the Pac-10 to its Pac-8 days...only that it'd just be one division of the sixteen team conference.
After the jump Jeremy Ross gives a tour of his house, Mohamed and Anger are named to another Pac-10 first team, Fox Sports doesn't pick up any Cal games, and more.
Cal Football
- Wilner says Cal has the easiest OOC schedule of anyone in the Pac-10 this year.
- Fox Sports Net picked up a whopping one Pac-10 game (ASU @ USC, 11.06.2010), leaving Cal with eight games with potential to be picked up during the season.
- Mike Mohamed and Bryan Anger were named to the first team for Athlon Sports' All-Pac-10 preseason team.
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Jeremy Ross has his very own episode of cribs (HT MN Bear)
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Cal Golf
- The men's team is currently tied for 20th after day two of the NCAA Championships. The top eight teams advance and the Bears are currently 10 shots out of eighth.