Peachton.com

While waiting for an interesting bowl game to emerge, I got to thinking about Colorado‘s move to the Pac-10. Clearly this is “all about the Benjamins” i.e. money.

Geographically, the Colorado campus is much further from the other eleven Pac-10 conference members than from the Big XII campuses. So, there is no advantage there. Football-wise, overall the Big XII is stronger than the Pac-10, despite Oregon’s BCS Championship Game berth. I am guessing the CU accountants have bigger pull in Boulder than anyone else.

On the Pac-10′s side, they pick up the Denver TV market but little else competition-wise:

• Football – the Buffs have not had a winning season since 2005. They have not had less than 5 losses since 2001 when they went 10-3 and lost the Fiesta Bowl to Oregon 38-26.
• Men’s Basketball – one NCAA tournament appearance since 1997–1998. They have 78 losses the past four seasons (20, 20, 22, 16).
• Baseball – this is odd to me. The Pac-10 is a rich baseball conference. Yet, Colorado has NO baseball team. Also they have no hockey team. Colorado College is a national hockey power.
• Women’s Basketball – no significant accomplishments.
• Other – CU’s greatest successes has been in skiing and cross country. However, U. of Denver has won the last three championships.