The Big Ten and Pac-12 have announced that the two conferences will join together in a partnership that will include everything from TV rights to out-of-conference scheduling. The partnership will include not only football, but also basketball and other Olympic sports.
This is a massive, massive win, not only for Penn State, but for the fans. We've long complained about Penn State's lack of courage when it came to out-of-conference scheduling, and this deal will help lay some of those complaints to rest. Starting in 2017, Penn State will play at least one Pac-12 team every year. Basically, those who have suggested there be a football version of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge just got their wish. It was also announced that the conference schedule will remain at eight games for the foreseeable future.
Aside from scheduling, this deal represents just how forward thinking the Big Ten and Pac-12 are. It's been suggested that the conferences will create another bowl game, which I can only imagine will be owned by the conferences, thus cutting out the middleman bowl executives that cause teams like Clemson to lose almost $200,000 by accepting a bid to the Orange Bowl. The potential from here on out is just crazy to think about. Jim Delany may not be the most lovable man in the world, but the man's business hustle is undeniable.
So, first thing's first. Which Pac-12 team would you first like to welcome to Beaver Stadium?