[Treebound]

“Blame USC and UCLA for that”

This is a comment that I find highly questionable.

In an alternate universe, insert Stanford and Cal for the southern California schools.  Would we bemoan the destruction of the Pac12 by blaming ourselves?

Of course not, we would relish the idea of being a member of the best conference in the country (Big Ten) and cry crocodile tears for our neighbors to the south.

In other words, I do not think USC or UCLA merit blame.  Rather they should be congratulated for their foresight re: the direction college football was taking and got involved early to ensure a soft landing.

Quite frankly, I wish Stanford and Cal would have gotten in line in front of USC and UCLA.  The Big Ten would have been a great upgrade.

Giants, 
u$c and UCLA were the main reason that Texas and Oklahoma were not allowed to join the Pac12, when they were very interested in coming over.  I have heard it was because the LA schools liked being the center/power of the Pac universe and didn't want the added competition.  Had those two schools joined the Pac, I think it would be a very different Power 4 today and our student athletes would not be making all of these challenging cross country trips.  I think it's fair to put blame on them for that shortsighted view and I also blame the commissioner and Muir for not pushing harder.  Would love to know more about those negotiations from those that were "in the room where it happened."

[Treebound]

“Blame USC and UCLA for that”

This is a comment that I find highly questionable.

In an alternate universe, insert Stanford and Cal for the southern California schools.  Would we bemoan the destruction of the Pac12 by blaming ourselves?

Of course not, we would relish the idea of being a member of the best conference in the country (Big Ten) and cry crocodile tears for our neighbors to the south.

In other words, I do not think USC or UCLA merit blame.  Rather they should be congratulated for their foresight re: the direction college football was taking and got involved early to ensure a soft landing.

Quite frankly, I wish Stanford and Cal would have gotten in line in front of USC and UCLA.  The Big Ten would have been a great upgrade.

Giants, 
u$c and UCLA were the main reason that Texas and Oklahoma were not allowed to join the Pac12, when they were very interested in coming over.  I have heard it was because the LA schools liked being the center/power of the Pac universe and didn't want the added competition.  Had those two schools joined the Pac, I think it would be a very different Power 4 today and our student athletes would not be making all of these challenging cross country trips.  I think it's fair to put blame on them for that shortsighted view and I also blame the commissioner and Muir for not pushing harder.  Would love to know more about those negotiations from those that were "in the room where it happened."