I don't get this. I read his stuff, I get informed, he sometimes guesses & misses, but no one was closely covering the PAC-12 until he came along with his hotline. LA reporters only care about LA, rabid Seattle fans (until today) only care about what's up with the Huskies, and the other areas had small local college coverage short of Canzano in Oregon. Wilner's not a poetic writer, but his coverage is solid. What has he done to piss (I assume) a small minority of you off?
He's generally a good sports business reporter BUT his actual sports reporting is pretty terrible. And Cal has been in his bullseye A LOT - so that's why everyone hates him.
A couple of things; UCLA is going to get pounded into oblivion in the Big Ten. There travel schedule will suck and their recruiting will suffer as a result. It's a path to doom for them. I honestly think USC will have big problems as well. Lincoln Riley runs an uptempo offense with a real shitty defense, typical of most teams in his former Big 12. I think in the ground and pound physical Big Ten that USC is going to have big problems with not just The Ohio State, but with Penn State, Michigan State, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin and the rest. I think Lincoln Riley took the USC job because he knew he could succeed in the PAC12. Let's see how long USC keeps paying his YUGE salary when he can't be in the top three in the Big Ten. Fuck em. CAL will go 11-1 and end up in the Playoffs.
UCLA is going to get a huge recruiting boost from this up front. Like, there goes every recruiting battle we might have with them at least in the near term. I'm not as quick to assume they get pounded. Look at how Texas A&M improved in the SEC. (Bad/unique example perhaps.) But outside of Ohio State, the b1g isnt exactly full of juggernauts, and that ground and pound stereotype is mostly a thing of the past outside of Iowa and maybe Wisconsin. And Pac10/12 teams have historically held their own against the B1G pretty well when they play.
The PAC originated in 1915 with Cal, Washington, Oregon, and Oregon State. Cardinal and WSU joined by 1918. SC arrived in 1922 and UCLA in 1928. The rivalries and traditions and memories that were forged over a century have been casually dissolved with cynical disinterest.
I thought it was ridiculous when Texas and OK announced their move. I really think that this is even more ridiculous, short sighted and a mistake. Yeah money is important, but it can’t and shouldn’t dictate what you do in life. Another girding that’s helped stabilize society is falling. Even pro leagues have regional groupings of their teams for god’s sake!
If the P12 collapses, I think Big10 may look at Cal/Stanford due to AAU affiliations. It's a big deal to Big10 inclusion. All P12 schools except ASU/WSU/OSU are AAU members.
Cfb is ruined. Glad I got to grow up during cals glory days with tedford, this blog made it fun. Klindergoff forever. Go bears. Really sad day. Love Wilcox but cfb is changing so much it’s more and more of an uphill battle for him to get cal elite again
Careful....he hasn't done that just yet. My gut reaction in hearing this was good. At least Cal maybe doesn't have to play USC every year and get its teeth kicked in. Cause that's where it was headed with Lincoln Riley and all that NIL dough for the premium athletes that only SC can attract.
Ya, I was looking at the 4-loss part more. And you were right earlier about how this will gut Cal. Revenue sharing gonna take a big hit if SC, UCLA, and later, Utah, Oregon and Washington bolt the Pac 12.
I’m just here for Kevin Durant’s next chapter in joining USC.
I remember the days when we were going to poach Texas.
New Conference map for the Big 10
https://twitter.com/CamLemons_/status/1542573796661645312?s=20&t=RiMfxy_a8RpIFRYng7vsqA
The fact that Jon Wilner reports it makes me believe it's wrong.
A bunch of other Pac-12 reporters (pete thamel, nicole auerbach) have corroborated his reporting.
Wilner's a terrible sports journalist, but he's decent on the sports business.
I don't get this. I read his stuff, I get informed, he sometimes guesses & misses, but no one was closely covering the PAC-12 until he came along with his hotline. LA reporters only care about LA, rabid Seattle fans (until today) only care about what's up with the Huskies, and the other areas had small local college coverage short of Canzano in Oregon. Wilner's not a poetic writer, but his coverage is solid. What has he done to piss (I assume) a small minority of you off?
He's generally a good sports business reporter BUT his actual sports reporting is pretty terrible. And Cal has been in his bullseye A LOT - so that's why everyone hates him.
Ted Miller was a much better Pac-10 reporter.
Besides his anti-Cal slant and terrible AP polls? I'm guessing you don't remember the "Wilcox to UW... no wait, Wilcox to Oregon" saga then.
I go offline for 2 hours..
Relax. No need for personal shots in discussions.
you better start caring. Next time they do it, Cal might get relegated to DII!
1. P12 is done.
2. Cal may default on bond debt.
3. Do taxpayers pay bond holders if there is a default?
F—k UCLA. So unbelievably greedy and shitty of them.
A couple of things; UCLA is going to get pounded into oblivion in the Big Ten. There travel schedule will suck and their recruiting will suffer as a result. It's a path to doom for them. I honestly think USC will have big problems as well. Lincoln Riley runs an uptempo offense with a real shitty defense, typical of most teams in his former Big 12. I think in the ground and pound physical Big Ten that USC is going to have big problems with not just The Ohio State, but with Penn State, Michigan State, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin and the rest. I think Lincoln Riley took the USC job because he knew he could succeed in the PAC12. Let's see how long USC keeps paying his YUGE salary when he can't be in the top three in the Big Ten. Fuck em. CAL will go 11-1 and end up in the Playoffs.
I don't think the move is about football success. it's about the money.
Fully agree. But when they start losing and can't recruit as well, how are the rich alums going to feel then?
UCLA is going to get a huge recruiting boost from this up front. Like, there goes every recruiting battle we might have with them at least in the near term. I'm not as quick to assume they get pounded. Look at how Texas A&M improved in the SEC. (Bad/unique example perhaps.) But outside of Ohio State, the b1g isnt exactly full of juggernauts, and that ground and pound stereotype is mostly a thing of the past outside of Iowa and maybe Wisconsin. And Pac10/12 teams have historically held their own against the B1G pretty well when they play.
It’s. About. The. Money
Well CFB was fun while it lasted. Once the Pac 12 collapse happens I will stop watching.
same boat for me. grew up on Pac 10 then Pac 12, most family and friends have some sort of allegiance. super bummed out
The PAC originated in 1915 with Cal, Washington, Oregon, and Oregon State. Cardinal and WSU joined by 1918. SC arrived in 1922 and UCLA in 1928. The rivalries and traditions and memories that were forged over a century have been casually dissolved with cynical disinterest.
This is a tremendously sad day.
I thought it was ridiculous when Texas and OK announced their move. I really think that this is even more ridiculous, short sighted and a mistake. Yeah money is important, but it can’t and shouldn’t dictate what you do in life. Another girding that’s helped stabilize society is falling. Even pro leagues have regional groupings of their teams for god’s sake!
"Another girding that’s helped stabilize society is falling."
Exactly.
sadness is my dominant emotion regarding all of this, thank you for putting it in a much more eloquent statement
I don't even know what to think anymore. My love for cfb and football in general just keeps slipping away.
Just because you (me too) loves something doesn't mean it's going to love you back.
Cal to the Big West!
Same
If the P12 collapses, I think Big10 may look at Cal/Stanford due to AAU affiliations. It's a big deal to Big10 inclusion. All P12 schools except ASU/WSU/OSU are AAU members.
I believe that horse has left the barn. AAU affiliations? Lol.
Cfb is ruined. Glad I got to grow up during cals glory days with tedford, this blog made it fun. Klindergoff forever. Go bears. Really sad day. Love Wilcox but cfb is changing so much it’s more and more of an uphill battle for him to get cal elite again
Cal will never be elite under Wilcox, unless elite is 8-4 with a bowl win.
Careful....he hasn't done that just yet. My gut reaction in hearing this was good. At least Cal maybe doesn't have to play USC every year and get its teeth kicked in. Cause that's where it was headed with Lincoln Riley and all that NIL dough for the premium athletes that only SC can attract.
JW was 8-5 in 2019 with a Redbox Bowl win. The 8 wins included the Bowl win.
Ya, I was looking at the 4-loss part more. And you were right earlier about how this will gut Cal. Revenue sharing gonna take a big hit if SC, UCLA, and later, Utah, Oregon and Washington bolt the Pac 12.
Respectfully, Steve, Cal has huge, huge issues because of this, and having SC vanish from the schedule doesn't begin to balance the scales...
Unless they follow to the B1G, this is devastating financially for the Cal athletic program. We're talking programs-getting-cut devastating...
I'm very scared of what will come of this re: all Cal sports
They GONE
The Alliance fell apart just like Diplomacy taught me
Even the League of Nations and the Articles of Confederation lasted longer.
Ho Chi Wilcox, hotel dishwasher, tries to approach UCLloyd George and USClemenceau, gets dismissed.
This is just a realignment within the Alliance?
Okay, there is practically no way that Pac-?? and Big Ten will work together after this.
The Dark Side is strong within UCLA and USC.
I look forward to our new Alliance with the Big-12.
UW and Oregon have officially applied to join the Big10.
Let’s check in with Berkeley…
Tumbleweeds and crickets.
MWC here we come!!
gonna LOL when Oregon is rejected
Oregon will bring Nike money to seal a Big-10 deal
Cal and Stanford should join to create a 20 team Big 10 Conference.
The recent history of Cal football has felt like a controlled demolition.
Knowlton is scrutinizing the dessert card at Chez Panisse as we speak. Not sure he's even heard about any of this yet. Not that it would matter.
He's got bigger fish--like working out an extension for Mark Fox.