Pac-12 will play conference only football schedule in 2020
Today, the Pac-12 Conference followed the Big Ten’s lead by canceling all non-conference football games. Pac-12 schools will only play intra-conference opponents during the 2020 season.
On Thursday, the Big Ten announced that due to the coronavirus pandemic, they would play a conference only football schedule for 2020. It’s a move that radically changes the college football landscape this season. The Big Ten is the first Power 5 conference to alter their schedules, but likely not the last. The Pac-12 did the same Friday afternoon.
Per Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic, the Pac-12 Conference followed the Big Ten and announced a conference only schedule for this fall. There are several reasons why the Pac-12 would choose this course of action. Foremost, is maintaining the safety of players, coaches, staff, and officials.
By eliminating non-conference teams, the Pac-12 can issue a uniform set of health and safety standards for all member institutions. They wouldn’t have to worry about how a school from the WAC, for example, using different rules the Pac-12 wouldn’t have control over, could potentially spread the virus to a conference team.
Also, due to the Big Ten’s decision, two Pac-12 marquee non-conference matchups are out the window. Michigan at Washington on September 5 and Ohio State at Oregon won’t happen. The missed games create considerable holes in Washington and Oregon’s respective schedules. The schools would be in scramble mode to fill open dates. The best way to assure a full slate is with other Pac-12 schools.
Finally, for all the conspiracy theorists out there, there is something to be gained for the Pac-12 Network. By making all games conference only affairs, the Pac-12 controls all the national broadcast rights. There was another big non-conference game scheduled for September 5, USC vs. Alabama, at the AdvoCare Classic.
That game would have been an early-season ratings bonanza for CBS, FOX, or whoever had the rights. That game won’t happen. If it’s replaced by Washington State at USC, fans would likely need the Pac-12 network to see it. That means more subscribers to the beleaguered entity.
COVID-19 has changed this country in ways never seen before. The entire sports world, not just college football, is adapting on the fly. Aside from the previously mentioned matchups, some other quality non-conference matchups will disappear.
Notre Dame had games scheduled against both Stanford and USC. Brigham Young vs. Stanford, Arizona State, and most importantly, “The Holy War” against Utah won’t happen. Tune-up games against lesser opponents that usually commence before conference games fall by the wayside as well. From week one, Pac-12 teams will have their feet to the fire.
How do you feel about a Pac-12 conference only schedule in 2020? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.