I write you today in the interest of persuading you to consider expansion once again. Now I know the name "Pac-12" is lame but if you listen to my points you will see that you have some very good options that will no doubt increase interest in your conference.
The rumor mill has been bustling with the thoughts of who the two teams to join may be. I have heard Colorado, Boise State, BYU and Utah's name's mentioned as possible teams. But let me propose this to you the University of Utah and Utah State University as your two schools.
A. Colorado is a great school one rich in football tradition, however, with the exception of a decent men's basketball team the school is lacking many necessary components that would make them a suitable option.
B. Boise State is quite the powerhouse in the WAC, but let's face it the WAC hasn't been anything special since the teams that now form the Mountain West bolted. Aside from that Boise doesn't quite fit into the "research school" category that the Pac-10 so desperately would like.
C. BYU is a tough program that will do what it takes to be the best, and I'm sure they would beg you to be a part of your conference. But BYU's sole purpose in athletics is to make themselves look better at the expense of anyone in their way. They think of themselves as an elite school when they're little more than a law and accounting factory. Add into the equation that they refuse to play on Sunday's and that makes them an ill-advised choice.
D. (your best option) Utah, a school who has done more with a small athletic budget (i.e. multiple national and conference championships) than the vast majority of the country has. Utah fits the bill as one of the finest research schools in the country, a strong football team that is only getting stronger, very competitive basketball teams that have both garnered national attention, and an exceptional gymnastics program, these are just a few of Utah's strong suits.
Now here I make my case for Utah State, USU has quite honestly one of the smallest budgets in the NCAA. But they strive for excellence and fit the bill that the Pac-10 in looking for. For instance, every school currently in the Pac-10 has a major or regional rival accompanying them (Arizona-Arizona State, Washington-Washington State, UCLA-Southern Cal, Oregon-Oregon State, and Stanford-Cal) a Utah-Utah State addition would be the perfect solution so that you once again have two neighboring schools.
USU is still in the growing stages of many of their athletic sports but they are quickly coming on. We're talking a bout a school that survived nearly five years as an independent football team and in the years to come Gary Anderson will turn heads when he takes out the likes of Boise State in the WAC.
This is my simple proposal, forget all the wannabes like BYU, Colorado, and Boise State, make the call and ask Utah and Utah State to join the new Pac-12. The two teams will no doubt fit into your conference but given the a little time they would excel.
Thank you and GO UTES! (and Go Aggies!)
-Jeren W. Canning
Lifelong Ute Fan, and longtime Aggie sympathizer.
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