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SALT LAKE CITY — The infamous tweet, one of many similar posts along the same vein, indicated the strong intentions of the Pac-12 staying intact despite multiple defections.
"Give me a break," Utah athletic director Mark Harlan posted on social media on March 9 in response to a CBSSports.com report titled "Big 12 readies to pounce on Four Corners schools as doubt creeps in about Pac-12's viability."
As fun as the Pac-12 has been for the Utah, and it's been a bouquet of roses for the football program and multiple women's sports, it might be time for university officials to rethink their commitment. Their beloved conference is guaranteed to change dramatically soon — provided it even exists.
Obviously, Harlan was making a strong editorial statement debunking any premise that Utah, Colorado, Arizona State and Arizona would be the latest schools to leave the Pac-12. Speculation had been running rampant on the conference's future since June 2022, when USC and UCLA rocked the college athletics world by announcing their intentions to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten in June 2024.
Less than six months later, at least to a degree, Harlan's sentiment did not prove prophetic. Last week, Colorado decided to bolt the Pac-12 in favor of the newly remolded Big 12.
Dating back for more than one year, since the dust settled on the Los Angeles schools' shocking decision, Harlan has been one of many voices around the Pac-12 continuing to pledge allegiance to the conference. Pac-12 officials pushed the same narrative last week shortly after Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark's spiffy two-word press release of "They're back" in reference to Colorado's choice to rejoin the conference it left in 2011.
Now here we are, with media members feverishly tapping into unnamed sources claiming to provide insight into the Pac-12's future. Pick your favorite trustworthy reporter — either the Pac-12 is about to implode, or it is forging ahead despite the membership losses and the overwhelming perception that commissioner George Kliavkoff can't produce a media rights package close to the approximate $31 million that will be distributed to Big 12 programs.
At best, as it stands, the Pac-12 appears to sit on a shaky foundation. Worst case, it crumbles to the ground as more programs depart.
The UCLA and USC defections were a devastating blow, losing the biggest media market and the one marquee football program, but as time wore on last summer the conference's perception didn't sink as low as it now — especially with the national football playoff expanding to 12 team to conclude the 2024 season, the prevailing thought was to add a program or two (San Diego State and SMU top the list of possibilities) and forge ahead.
But things got even crazier once Colorado bolted, setting off widespread speculation the conference is doomed. Turns out, the Buffaloes leaving is the most significant accomplishment the program has done since joining the Pac-12 outside of hiring a famous football coach.
Most of the focus, realizing this could change in the next few minutes, centers around Arizona to follow Colorado out the door. As a stand-alone, from the football perspective, Arizona doesn't move any meter, but it would be another blow to the Pac-12.
All the instability certainly causes concern for the Utah athletic department. Unless an invitation to the Big Ten is coming, which doesn't appear likely in the short term, the Utes may have to seek a divorce from their love-affair with the Pac-12.
As preparation for the football season begins this week, the coaches have the same concern about the future as the fans. The company line is to stay the course, that the conference can survive with nine teams and then more with expansion.
Playing the conference version of poker at this point, Utah should strongly consider folding its hand and be receptive to joining the Big 12. The athletic department, in general, has made far too many significant advancements to be left behind.
