It’s just the first weekend of the season. I wouldn’t make any assumptions about what comes next.
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But having half the conference ranked in week 2 says a lot.
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Aren’t UNC and NC State a bit like Purdue and Indiana – IE, they have different strengths, so the schools kind of complement one another?
And Sepp Kuss (CU Alum) is leading the Vuelta.
Yeah, it’s only one weekend, but they have now completed one-third of the non-conference schedule (two-thirds for U$C), so it is fairly significant in determining relative conference strength.
I can only speak for myself, but judging based on the 1st games of the season aren’t always good indicators of final records.
Lots of teams, like an Alabama or a Georgia, have new QB’s. Caleb Williams, the QB at USC, should be the #1 QB in the 2024 or 2025 NFL draft, depending on what he decides to do. Washington has an experienced QB with Michael Penix, Jr., Oregon State has DJ Uiagalelei, who transfered from Clemson, etc. A few examples.
Just my $0.02, early in the season, experienced QB’s have an advantage. But as the season wears on, the overall team talent will rise to the top like cream. So, I’ll wait until mid-season before I make any bold statements about how good the Pac-12 may or may not be.
And FWIW, North Texas, Nevada, Colorado State, Coastal Carolina, Southern Utah, Hawaii, Portland State, etc., this past weekend’s Pac-12 opponents aren’t “murderer’s row.” Not a P5 or P4 opponent among them, but for Colorado, who beat TCU.
Yes very much so. Different strengths at UNC and NC State. If you want engineering or design/architecture or study horticulture, agriculture, textiles, vet medicine you go to State. UNC has a better business school and journalism school, pharmacy school, public health, and of course Med school. Many other programs like that where one school offers something that the other does not.
Also to keep this about the conferences UNC (ACC) beat USCarolina (SEC) pretty handily.
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Florida?
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You are taking all the fun out of it for the Pac 12. This may be the only bragging I get to do for CU for the season, so I’m going BIG..
I’m not 100% sold on CU making a bowl game this year. They did great against TCU, but the CU players are tiny. Fast as jackrabbits, but tiny. I think the Nebraska defensive line will be a challenge.
We’re also pretty excited about the Wyoming win over Tx Tech. Bad day for Texas schools against the Rocky Mtn region. My daughter was at that game.
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Oops, you spotted my miss. My apologies for missing Florida, BUT Vegas has their over/under for wins set at 5.5. So, my “not murderer’s row” comment sticks. 
Have to agree with this, I feel the same for Oregon State…
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The Pac-12 mismanagement is appalling. 8 out of the 12 Pac-12 teams are currently listed in the AP ranking of Top 25 football teams, more than any other conference. 
Here’s hoping the “Pac-Two” get the recognition and opportunities they deserve.
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While the Pac-12 did badly mismanage the situation and it’s appalling he commissioner hasn’t been fired - and we all know why these two schools weren’t picked up and there are others I wouldn’t have wanted but upsetting a school isn’t a reason why you should be in a higher conference.
On Saturday, Cougars coach Jake Dickert seized on this intrigue after Washington State shocked No. 19 Wisconsin 31-22 in Pullman.
There are upsets or crazy wins each and every year, sometimes weeks. Does those wins dictate unfair conference settings?
Does Miami belong in the SEC because they beat A&M? Oh - well hold on for the next realignment 
Seriously - I agree the schools were screwed - mainly because these were you brothers in arms - but you can’t say someone belongs in another conference because they win a game.
OSU and WSU weren’t the powerhouses of the PAC 12, but weren’t terrible and often pulled off a championship or two. They are similar is size to the other schools, had their ‘big brother’ instate rivals.
Northwestern has had more bad years in football than good ones and I’d think most would say they don’t really match the other B1G schools in size or feel, but the B1G is not leaving them .behind.
Why fire him now and have to pay out a contract and also pay a new commissioner for 10 months? I don’t think he’ll be getting a gold watch or invited to many retirement parties. I wonder if her was even at the USC/Stanford game yesterday which was the only conference game.
But the PAC 12 teams are doing just fine so far without any leadership. They are just playing to win, and 8 teams did yesterday. Run Ralphie Run. Go CU.
These two schools weren’t leff off because of their potential for success.
Just like Colorado wasn’t picked up because of their potential - sorry Deon, but the Big 12 didn’t say, let’s go get CU because of Deon. They could have grabbed Jackson State if that was the case.
It’s about money - and these guys don’t have a national fan based profile.
Now an NU - maybe today they wouldn’t get picked up - but these conferences have long history.
I gues sbecause there’s now more money for the ACC - that’s why the three recent were picked up - but from a logical POV, it makes no sense. Cross country conferences…maybe they should expand to England too.
I don’t know why the Big 10 picked Nebraska 10 years ago. Sure, they have a loyal (and traveling) alum group, but not a big media market. And I don’t think it is worked out well for the Big 10. Nebraska doesn’t have a big rivalry with any of the other teams and hasn’t brought any sparks to the conference.
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Or Rutgers. Does anyone in NJ/NYC care? Syracuse made more sense.
Nebraska, without Oklahoma is - well the Nebraska we’ve had. You are correct.
Oklahoma’s rival was always Texas. When the Big 8 invented the big rivalry, it was Neb and Colo the day after Thanksgiving game. Maybe Nebraska thought Oklahoma wanted to be rivals, but I don’t think Oklahoma cared that much (except to win the Big 8 and go to the Orange Bowl).
I was at the Colo-Neb game on Sat. It was nothing like it was in the old days, and nothing like it was in 2019. In 2019, it was a sea of red and no matter what the CU athletic department did, it couldn’t keep people from selling their tickets to Neb fans (and they did try). It really was the loudest sporting event I’ve ever been to and I’ve been to inside (Metrodome) world series games and play off hockey games. It was LOUD… This year? Not that loud, and not that much red. CU expanded the student section and sold out season tickets in the spring, so there aren’t as many single game tickets to sell.
Next week both Fox Big Noon Kickoff and ESPN game Day will be broadcasting from campus. I’m not sure how that works with a 8 pm game time. Do they expect everyone to show up for BNK at 8 am and hang around all day?
Actually - growing up, yes, OK and Texas always played - I think at the Sugar Bowl but then it was Barry Switzer vs. Tom Osborne - big rivalry as well.
Colorado / Nebraska - they’re way way way overhyping it during the game yesterday. It had some years - but and I never lived there - but Nebraska/Oklahoma was far bigger than CU Nebraska or Iowa Iowa State or even Alabama Auburn, etc.
It was HUUUUGGGGEEEEE
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There is no reason that Oregon State could not build a national fan base exactly like Oregon did (from the same media market).
There is even some evidence it is moving in that direction already: Despite realignment snub, Week 1 suggests Oregon State draws eyeballs after all
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