The Utes and No Shave November

It's officially "No Shave November" and not only will I be growing an awful beard, but the Utes will not take part in any shaving, either—shaving of their perfect record, that is. That's right, I'm assuming, no, I'm telling you that the Utes are going undefeated.

Utah's season is like a beard. A beard that starts out as questionable, but progresses into a beard finer than the one donned by "The Most Interesting Man," himself. As you get more and more adjusted to the beard, you begin to dig it more and more.

Since the beginning of the season, I've thought Utah didn't have a better beard than TCU, but Utah suddenly is rocking its beard better than Randy Moss and Zack Galifianakis, combined. The Horned Frogs' beard looked flawless, it looked as if it could be the best in the nation. Suddenly, however, the Utes have every hair growing into the right spots, filling its beard in to the fullest.

Yes, everything is falling into place for the Utes. With the fifth-ranked team in the nation, third-ranked offense, and sixth-ranked defense, things look promising for the Utes.

My beard will be horrible, like Jordan Wynn's "mustache" he shows off from time to time. That doesn't mean it's not something to be proud of, because Jordan Wynn is a stud, regardless of his mustache's status. I'll rep my beard, Wynn will rep his 'stache, and we'll all be fine.

I know BYU technically can't grow beards, but for the sake of my rant, I'm giving them one.

BYU's beard will be awful, but they'll think it's as beautiful as Brigham Young's masterpiece of facial hair—when in all actuality, it's terrible. Their beard will be the kind that you constantly want to shave and pretend never existed. Maybe the final product—BYU's bowl game—will serve as some sort of consolation prize, that is if they make it to one. I wouldn't be surprised if they failed to go the distance, though, they'll probably have to shave at some point—it's in the rules.

Once the end of November arrives, not only will the Utes shave and begin to prepare for the biggest game of their season—possibly even the history of the University of Utah—but also will I be erasing the nasty, month-long beard I have cherished.

Note: I would like to thank one of my best friends, Matt Ohrenberger, for the idea that sparked this random blog.

Pac-10 Move Has Its Good and Bad

While Utah will reap the many benefits from their recent decision to jump to the Pac-10, but it's not all golden in the new conference.

Don't get me wrong, it is absolute that the move is what's best for Utah, but it's not flawless.

Since there are only a few negatives that could come as result, let's get those at of the way first. 

The Holy War, the rivalry football game between Utah and Brigham Young University, has been around since 1922—the basketball teams have met even longer, 1909. However, the longstanding rivalry could begin to fade away because of different conference affiliation. With little to win and much to lose, Utah would be smart to avoid a yearly game against their longtime rivals. The rivalry has been around for years and I believe it will be missed, but it's for the best—no sense in playing a team for nearly nothing.

Although I am entirely confident they will be able to immediately compete in Pac-10 play, the Utes will face much tougher competition in their new conference—the perfect seasons under their belt will be much more difficult to come by. Joining the Pac-10 will mean playing powerhouse teams, and while I do believe they can compete, it will take greater effort to make a great season. 

Now this can go either way, but increased travel distance will affect the road game attendance—for better or worse. Sure, road trips to California and Phoenix are more desirable than those to Colorado Springs, Colorado and Laramie, Wyoming, but they are also more expensive. Utah's new conference affiliation will make it a longer drive or flight, and will be a heavier hit on the wallet's of fans. However, fans may be more likely to travel to watch their team play against top-tier programs, rather than to Wyoming. If fans are willing to take the trip, road attendance will jump higher—like I said, it could go either way. 

The best thing that will come from the move is respect—something Utah has been yearning for a while now. Due to Utah's recent success, they have become a more respected program, but are still considered a mid-major school that plays "nobody" in the eyes of many fans. With the opportunity to play in the "conference of champions," Utah could find itself the nation's elite programs. Respect is close for the Utes and now all they have to do is earn it—easier with a Pac-10 affiliation.

Money, money, money. It's always about money. Utah's move to the Pac-10 will bring in a huge increase of revenue. Utah made $1.2 million in TV revenue last year, but could up that amount by over $10 million.

With a skyrocket in revenue, the Utes can look to stadium expansion. Currently, Rice-Eccles Stadium holds 45,017 people, but plans to expand the stadium could boost that number to anywhere between 60 and 70 thousand fans. 

Access to the Rose Bowl year in and year out will be nice for Utah, and an undefeated season spells out more than just a BCS bowl. If the Utes drop a game or two, or any amount for that matter, all it would take is winning the conference to play for the roses. 

Utah recruiting should see a bump with their new conference affiliation. Coming off its best recruiting class in school history, the Utes are already finding their 2011 class to be full of talent. It will be much easier to keep the in-state prospects that have been lost to schools of BCS affiliation in the past. Utah's recruiting competition with BYU should be easier as well, considering they will have the edge due to its conference affiliation alone. It will be hard for BYU recruiters to look a kid in the eye and get him to commit over Utah, when that same kid is being told by Utah recruiters of shots at the national title—the Utes could have top-dog status in college football, making it much easier to land studs out of high school.

There are many reasons why Utah's move to the Pac-10 is beneficial, and they will begin to feel those gains as soon as 2011 comes around.

A Day To Remember

What could be the biggest accomplishment in Utah Utes history, came today as Utah President Michael K. Young signed papers to join the Pac-10.

The roller coaster is over ladies and gentleman, exit on your left. The Utes have officially joined the "conference of champions."

As President Young picked up the pen to ink the deal, he joked "I have been authorized by board of trustees to sign this to accept. Should I?"

And just like that, the Utes overcame years of mid-major status. 

The Utes have become the twelfth member of the Pac-10, and joins Colorado as the league's newest members since 1978, when the conference added Arizona and Arizona State. 

Utah is a good fit academically, athletically and geographically, said Larry Scott, Pac-10 commissioner. 

It is a possible option that the Utes become a member of the South division of the conference, which could be made up with Utah, Colorado, USC, UCLA, Arizona and Arizona.

The Utes will begin Pac-10 play in 2011, and will endure a three-year process before becoming a full member of the Pac-10—being a full member will give Utes access to revenue. On the other hand, Colorado's agreement does not require them to go through the same process. 

"It's a great day to be a Ute," President Young said. 

Why Utah to the Pac-10 is a Done Deal

Today was the most telling day of all amongst conference football expansion talk. Nebraska to the Big Ten and Boise State to the Mountain West are the two latest dominoes to fall and four more Big 12 schools are expected to follow as early as Tuesday. Will Utah make a move as well?—I definitely believe so.

Why the Pac-10 Will Expand More

There is no way the Pac-10 is done expanding after only adding Colorado, so it's more than safe to say they have plans to further expansion. The Pac-10 wants to get to at least 12 teams—giving them a conference championship game. With an expiring TV contract, the Pac-10 is looking to do everything they can to bring in the biggest moneymaking deal possible.

Expansion to 12 teams would spell success for the Pac-10, but with all the ideas of super-conferences forming the Pac-10 is likely to get a head start on other conferences and grow to 16 teams.

Who the Pac-10 Will Take

At the moment, Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech are believed to all make the jump to the Pac-10 by Tuesday. Texas A&M was originally believed to be joined at the hip with Texas, but now it seems there will be separation as Texas A&M seems more interested in the SEC than the Pac-10—sorry Big 12, you're gone. 

If the talk of Texas A&M's interest in the SEC holds true along with the SEC having interest in the school, expect Texas A&M to bail on its dancing partner, Texas. 

The Pac-10 likes the idea of pairing off teams as rivals, and Utah could be the answer for Colorado. Utah is geographically fit to play in the Pac-10 and naturally pairs with Colorado to develop a rivalry. Texas and Texas Tech pair as rivals, as well as Oklahoma and Oklahoma State—of course every team can have more than one rival, I wouldn't expect the Red River Rivalry to dry up anytime soon. 

Utah is also a perfect fit because it would round out a potential division for the new super-conference. Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, and Texas Tech would be a division that makes complete sense. The division would be geographically logical and pair up the rivalries—I know Utah fans would be excited to see Texas and Oklahoma play at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

When It Will Go Down

The Pac-10 began expansion Thursday by announcing Colorado as its newest member. Friday the Pac-10 watched the MWC add Boise State and the Big Ten add Nebraska. The Pac-10 watched speculation on Texas A&M's interest in the SEC, and noticed the interest from the SEC to add them. The news came that Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State would announce as early as Tuesday their plans to join the Pac-10. 

But when does the Pac-10 invite Utah? I believe they will announce the Utes as the newest member in the next 72 hours. If I had to pinpoint a day, I would say Monday—the day before the Pac-10 announces four Big 12 schools as new members, their final move on expansion.

Friday's news is information that becomes forgotten, Monday's news sets up the rest of the week's talk—it's how the media works for the most part. Expect at the very least, Utah to join Monday, then the big splash will follow.

Why Utah to the Pac-10 Seems a "Done Deal"

During the most exciting week of conference expansion, Utah athletic director, Chris Hill found himself on vacation—perhaps to get away and relax. 

Hill came back from vacation and supposedly is aware of a Pac-10 invite for Utah. This would make sense because there is no reason why Hill should take backseat to the thought of being left out of conference expansion—especially when a few months ago everything seemed absolute. 

I find it very telling that there is discussion and rumors of the Pac-10 inviting only four more Big 12 schools, bringing them to 15 schools—if elementary school taught me anything, 15 is an uneven number. They will look to add one more school, and Utah is the best option left.

Utah is competitive in the aspects of athletics, academics, research, and brings a decent TV market. 

Watching Boise State's press conference Friday, I noticed a little "big whoop" attitude—thanks to my buddy Jake, who asked me to pay attention to the animosity of Robert Kustra, BSU President. It seemed they were excited to join the MWC, but didn't act like it was going to be the best thing in the world.

While discussing scheduling, Boise State athletic director, Gene Bleymaier talked about the schools they played 30 years ago and compared them to the schools they will play starting in 2011.

"BYU, TCU, (pause) Utah, and Air Force," Bleymaier said. The pause in the statement wasn't very long, but it was long enough that you could tell Utah's departure was forthcoming. A team like Utah should have been spit out much quicker, and not behind BYU and TCU—probably not even in the same sentence as Air Force. 

Also, the phone interview with MWC commisioner, Craig Thompson, told a lot if you listened to his voice. It seemed Thompson was glad to have Boise join, but it seemed like he didn't care too much. If you ask me, Boise is a replacement for Utah and the MWC will look other places to expand—making Boise like Colorado and Nebraska, just the beginning of the shift. 

Prediction For PAC-10 Expansion

There are countless options as to who the Pac-10 could add to build a bigger and better conference, and the first school has been added. 

With Nebraska going to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-10, conference expansion as we know it has begun. But there are still numerous questions as to how the college football landscape will look when all is said and done. 

Does the Pac-10 add five more Big 12 schools? Do they add Utah and four Big 12 schools? Do they add only Utah and call it quits at 12 teams? Do they stop after adding only Colorado? 

The answer is unknown and will stay that way for now—at least until tomorrow, when things can shake up all over again. 

If I had to make my boldest prediction as to what happens with the Pac-10 next, I would guess they add Utah, followed by four Big 12 schools. 

I believe the Pac-10 added Colorado to stop Texas from being in the driver's seat and calling all the shots—like insisting an addition of unwanted Texas Tech and Baylor. 

If the Pac-10 wants complete control of expansion, the conference should add Utah next—leaving four spots for expansion.

If the Pac-10 adds Utah, they will have successfully reached the team requirement for a conference championship game, which will be attractive to any TV deal the conference might look into. 

With four spots left, the Pac-10 should extend offers to Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State.

The addition of these six teams brings in natural rivals and is perfect for the conference split of divisions.

Colorado and Utah, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, and Texas and Texas A&M all pair off as rivalries. Add Arizona and Arizona State and the Pac-10 is looking at one of its two divisions. 

By adding Utah first, the Pac-10 gives Texas no way to drag unwanted Baylor and Texas Tech to the conference.

I expect the next domino to fall soon with Utah being invited.