"5 Vital Priorities That Will Make or Break the Pac-12's Survival: Colorado's Jump to the Big 12 Raises the Stakes"

Pac-12 faces uncertainty as Colorado leaves for Big 12, must address priorities to survive: 5 key steps outlined.

In a recent blow to the Pac-12, Colorado has announced its departure from the conference to join the Big 12. This move reduces the Pac-12's membership to only nine teams for the upcoming '24 season. While not as significant as the loss of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten, it is still another setback for the conference as it navigates its future.

The Pac-12 finds itself in its current position due to a lack of stability, uncertainty surrounding media rights, and questionable leadership. However, the departure of Colorado does not spell doom for the conference. While time is running out for the Pac-12's long-term survival, there is still a path forward in the short term.

So, what's next for the Pac-12 after Colorado's departure? Let's explore the five key priorities that the conference must address:

Priority 1: Maintain the Nine Members

The first priority is simple: Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff needs to ensure that the remaining nine members stay together. The Big 12 has shown interest in not only Colorado but also the other "four corner" schools - Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State. If Colorado's departure leads to further defections, it could be detrimental to the conference. Programs like Arizona, Utah, Arizona State, Washington, and Oregon should consider their options and inquire about membership in other conferences. Kliavkoff must find a way to convince these programs that the Pac-12's media rights deal will be sufficient for short-term survival.

Priority 2: Develop a Reset Strategy and Leverage the CFB Playoff

While losing Colorado is not ideal, it does not mean the end for the Pac-12. The conference needs to focus on maintaining its remaining members and avoiding any more departures to the Big 12. With the uncertainty surrounding the conference and its media rights deal, the future may seem bleak. However, Kliavkoff still has time to piece together a short-term plan for the Pac-12. One selling point for the remaining members is the upcoming 12-team College Football Playoff in '24. The Pac-12 champion should have a favorable path to the playoff, which means extra revenue for the conference.

Priority 3: Secure a Media Rights Deal

Before Colorado's departure, securing a media rights deal was already a top priority for the Pac-12. Now, it becomes even more crucial. Can the conference strike a deal that will keep the members together in the immediate future and in the long run? While the latter question is more concerning, for now, the Pac-12 needs to focus on completing a deal and securing a solid source of revenue for its members. The deal may not be as lucrative as the Big 12 contract, but if it comes close, it should be enough to keep the conference intact.

Priority 4: Make a Decision on Conference Size

The Pac-12 faces a significant decision regarding its future size. With the departure of Colorado, USC, and UCLA, the conference will be left with only nine members in '24. Adding one more team would bring the membership to 10, allowing for nine conference games and no further division of media revenue. However, expanding to 12 teams could provide the conference with more strength in numbers and additional inventory for media partners. If the Pac-12 opts for 10 teams, San Diego State seems like an obvious choice. But if expansion to 12 is the goal, reaching a consensus on which three teams to add may prove challenging.

Priority 5: Determine Expansion Candidates

With Colorado's departure, the Pac-12 must add at least one new member to get back to 10 teams for the '24 season. San Diego State is a strong candidate for expansion. However, if the conference decides to aim for 12 teams, other options like SMU, Colorado State, UNLV, and Boise State become viable candidates.

In conclusion, the Pac-12 faces challenges in the wake of Colorado's departure. However, there is still hope for the conference to navigate its way through this setback. By addressing these five priorities, the Pac-12 can increase its chances of survival and secure a brighter future.

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