Welcome to championship weekend in college football, where the Conference of Champions once again finds itself on the outside looking in.
As Washington and Utah get set to play before hundreds in the Pac-12 title game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (just move this thing to Vegas already), the only bit of national curiosity Friday night’s matchup will elicit is one of mild amusement.
The Pac-12 was effectively eliminated from College Football Playoff contention weeks ago. And the lone nationally relevant game the conference participated in during the final week of the regular season was the one that involved .
Things could be different, of course. Friday night’s conference championship could be an elimination game for a spot in the CFP. But for that to happen, Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott would actually have to start doing his job. That, as , would mean lobbying for the playoff to expand to eight teams with automatic bids for each of the Power 5 conference champions and the top-ranked Group of Five champion.
The Pac-12 has long struggled to maintain national relevance, in large part through its own negligence. Its current television contract ensures that several of its games are played when half the country is getting ready for bed. And Scott’s mismanagement of the Pac-12 Network has created a situation in which those people may not be able to see those games even if they could stay awake.
This is why — . It’s why Washington State was a footnote in this year’s College Football Playoff discussion — even with just one loss going into Thanksgiving. And it’s also why the conference often struggles to win the subjective debates that determine who’s in and who’s out in the national title discussion.
In a world where the Pac-12 champion gets an automatic bid into the playoff, that is no longer a problem. The conference can run its regular season the way it sees fit – emphasizing parity with a nine-game conference schedule – while also guaranteeing they have a seat at the table come playoff time.
If Scott and the Pac-12 presidents don’t think that matters, then they’re not paying attention to how far the .
—, The Denver Post
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What’s on Tap?
- Nuggets: Los Angeles Lakers, 7 p.m., ALT/NBA |
- Avalanche: At Nashville Predators, 5 p.m., ALT2 |
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
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Must-Read
Kiszla vs. O’Halloran: As playoff contenders, are the Broncos for real or fooling themselves?
Does winning two straight games really qualify as a streak? Maybe not, but there’s definitely a whole new vibe in the Denver locker room. Read more…
Despite Broncos’ recent surge, Vance Joseph says, “We’ve done nothing up to this point”
Just like the Broncos’ win-loss script has been flipped with back-to-back victories over the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers, so has Joseph’s for-public-consumption message. Read more…
Stephens: Devoted or Stubborn? Colorado State’s Mike Bobo put his job on the line. The Rams need a coach willing to change
Mike Bobo’s job is safe. More accurately: Mike Bobo’s job was never in jeopardy. One miracle comeback against Arkansas saved Colorado State (3-9) from its worst finish in 30 years and the best athletic director Joe Parker could do was shrug and say “meh.” Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Broncos Mailbag: Questions about Phillip Lindsay, Vance Joseph and the team’s culture.
+ Broncos tight end Jeff Heuerman has been ruled out for the year with broken ribs.
+ It wasn’t all that long ago that Week 12 hero Shelby Harris was fighting just to stay on the Broncos roster.
+ Here’s 5 key plays from Denver’s Week 12 win over Pittsburgh.
+ Deep and dangerous, the streaking Nuggets have yet to reach their potential.
+ Colorado Buffaloes QB Steven Montez is mulling future options.
+ CU’s assistant football coaches head into offseason uncertain where they’ll be next season.
+ CU Buffs men’s basketball guard McKinley Wright is looking to shake some early frustrations.
+ Former Bronco Aqib Talib was designated to return to the Los Angeles Rams from injured reserve.
+ L.A. Chargers running back Melvin Gordon will miss a few weeks after suffering an MCL sprain Sunday.
+ Bengals QB Andy Dalton is out for the season with a thumb injury suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Browns.
+ WaPo’ John Clayton ranks the 8 most pivotal players in the NFL wild card races.
+ Deshaun Watson put on a show in Monday night’s Texans win over the Titans.
Post Mailbag forms
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here.
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
By The Numbers
2.43
Reliever Adam Ottavino’s earned-run average with the Rockies in 2018. The free-agent pitcher could be heading east with the New York Yankees showing interest in signing him. Read more…
Parting Shot
Fantasy football week 13 waiver wire tips: A newly minted starting RB is available. Snag him.
The bye weeks are over, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t upgrades available on the waiver wire. And for anyone looking to get a boost at the running back position, good news! Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
