In the Pac-12 Conference’s perfectly symmetrical world of historic rivalries, how will the two newcomers adapt when they are separated by the Rocky Mountains?
There are so many pressing details for Colorado and Utah to address in their conference moves that rivalries might fall well down the list. Each has a nonleague in-state rival. And there are more pressing issues in other nonleague scheduling, alumni organization, travel arrangements and getting a new set of scouting reports.
Also, just because the Buffs and Utes have the Pac-12’s only skiing rivalry, that doesn’t mean it will translate to CU’s Folsom Field or to Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Utah athletic director Chris Hill said last month he hoped to work with CU AD Mike Bohn on promotional initiatives for the schools. Bohn was unavailable for comment because of CU’s coaching search.
There is a good chance Pac-12 rivalries will develop on the field. Utah, for example, didn’t have much of a natural rivalry with Texas Christian until their game started determining the Mountain West Conference football champ-ion on an annual basis.
After inventing CU’s Nebraska rivalry nearly three decades ago, Bill McCartney hopes CU will immediately target a new conference rival.
Yes, there’s some history between UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel and CU, where he coached from 1995-98. But that’s history.
Another former CU coach, Gary Barnett, suggested “it might put a little more emphasis on the Colorado State game” for the Buffs.
Having Utah last on CU’s schedule could spark something. McCartney said he always wished Nebraska was last on CU’s schedule.
“Having a game of that magnitude early doesn’t have the same impact,” McCartney said. “It doesn’t have the leverage of preparing all year for an opponent.”
