Pac-10 invites Utah as 12th member

[CrossCheck]

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah is poised to become the 12th member of the Pac-10, as the conference quickly pivoted Wednesday to invite the Utes after being turned down by Texas and four other members of the Big 12 two days ago.

Utah officials did not immediately say whether the invitation would be accepted. However, a source tells ESPN that Utah will join the Pac-10.

Utah associate athletic director Liz Abel said the athletics department would not comment until Thursday after the school's board of trustees meets to discuss the school's conference affiliation. A news conference was scheduled for 3 p.m. ET at the football stadium following the meeting.

Pac-10 officials are expected to attend Thursday's news conference in Utah.

Utah has been a member of the MWC since the league began in 1999 -- and one of its most successful in football and basketball.

There had been speculation on Tuesday that Utah would be the next school to be approached by the Pac-10. When asked about the possibility, school president Michael Young told The Associated Press "we wouldn't anticipate making a move of this magnitude without the concurrence of our board of trustees."

Utah would not have to pay a penalty to depart the MWC, per conference rules.

A message left with Randy Dryer, chairman of the board of trustees, was not immediately returned Wednesday. If Utah bolts the Mountain West, it would be the latest in a string of conference affiliation changes.

Last week, Colorado decided to leave the Big 12 and accept an invitation to join the Pac-10. Nebraska also has said it will leave the Big 12 for the Big Ten, while Boise State is fleeing the Western Athletic Conference to join the Mountain West.

The Mountain West called a news conference for Thursday after Utah's.

Earlier in the week, Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State recommitted to the Big 12 instead of hopping to the Pac-10.

That left the Pac-10 in need of another member to reach the 12 required to hold a football championship game. Pac-10 spokeswoman Danette Leighton declined to say when Utah would begin competing in the Pac-10 if it accepts the conference's invitation.

The addition of Utah now gives Colorado a geographical rival and travel partner. The league is likely to divide into two six-team divisions, and how that will shake out is unclear.

The other members of the Pac-10 are USC, UCLA, Stanford, California, Washington, Washington State, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon and Oregon State. Utah had already previously scheduled games with Oregon in 2011, and Washington State and Colorado in 2012 and 2013.

Utah officials have long been frustrated about their inability to play for a football national championship while in the Mountain West. Utah had an undefeated season in 2008 but was not invited to the national title game. It defeated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Utah also went undefeated in 2004 and did not play for the national championship.

Under the Bowl Championship Series, the champions of six conferences have automatic bids to play in top-tier bowl games, while the other conferences such as the Mountain West don't. Those six conferences also receive more money than the other conferences.

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, angered that the Utes were denied an opportunity to play for a national title, has said he's investigating the BCS for possible antitrust violations.

He said although Utah is Exhibit A as to why the BCS is unfair, the investigation would continue if Utah changed conferences. He plans to meet with the U.S. Department of Justice in July to discuss the matter.

"We're convinced the system as set up is anticompetitive," he said. "It goes way beyond the University of Utah."

Utah lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, also have expressed their frustrations with the BCS.

Last year, the state legislature adopted a resolution calling for a playoff system to determine college football's national champion after an undefeated Utah was shut out of the national title game for the second time in four years.

Utah's lawmakers contend the BCS formula is flawed and gives schools from the major conferences an unfair advantage that would make it impossible for a school such as the Mountain West's Brigham Young University to win the national title, as the Cougars did in 1984 when they were a member of the WAC.

Information from ESPN.com's Diamond Leung, ESPN's Joe Schad and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source

bout time some recognizes the Utes accomplishments. looking forward to the future.

[Growled Member]

Utah officials have long been frustrated about their inability to play for a football national championship while in the Mountain West. Utah had an undefeated season in 2008 but was not invited to the national title game. It defeated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Utah also went undefeated in 2004 and did not play for the national championship.

I bet they don't go undefeated in the Pac 12. They do deserve the step up but they must realize the competition is a step up. No more easy wins now.

[CrossCheck]

I bet they don't go undefeated in the Pac 12. They do deserve the step up but they must realize the competition is a step up. No more easy wins now.

you mean you are saying that in 2008 wins against michigan, Oregon state, TCU and BYU were easy wins. i don't think so!!!!

yes SDSU, Wyoming and New mexico are but weather its in conference or out of conference every team play at least 2 cupcakes every season

Thier first season i bet they will run the table in the division they will be in

(rumored division)

UCLA - win

USC - win (will be a down program due to the sanctions)

Arizona - win (never really had a good football program)

Arizona- State win (always mediocre)

Colorado - win (never been the same since days of cordell stewart)

potential wins interconference (will prolly play 3-4 per year)

Washington state win. have they ever been good. not relevant right now

Washington possible win (program is on the uptick)

Cal win (whipped them in their last bowl dont follow enough to see if they on the ups or downs

Stanford eeh! is a great team but can see a game with them going either way

Oregon who knows if game is in autism stadium will be a toughy.

oregon state win (goin downhill ... unless players get parolled in-time for laptop theft.)

so what i am trying to say right now there is not 1 team the Utes cant beat in the pac 10, team will be even better first year in. Wynn will be a junior QB with alot of experience. their defense is always rock solid

since 2003 utes are 6-2 against pac 10 opponents. including 2 bowl victories USC and Cal (2001 and 2009). it might not bee a cakewalk but you will be surprised on how competitive the utes will be.