From the opening seconds of the conference's video montage to the noticeable optimism in the voice of Commissioner Larry Scott, the theme of embracing expansion was evident during the entirety of Tuesday's inaugural Pac-12 Media Day.
While the conference already holds 400 National Championships to its name and will likely boast two Top 5 teams (Oregon and Stanford) in next month's annual preseason rankings, the addition of Colorado and Utah was a non-stop talking point throughout the day at the Fox Studios in Culver City, CA.
"Today is the dawn of a new day for this storied conference, and we're thrilled with the additions of Colorado and Utah," Pac-12 Commissioner Scott said. "I am thrilled with the way we have been tracking with these two new additions, but we still have a lot more ambition and a lot more we want to do. I always think we can learn something from other conferences like the Big 10, SEC or Big 12, but our conference is a unique brand, and we want to be our own model."
Scott wasn't the only one gushing over the conference's newfound strength in numbers. Head coaches Kyle Whittingham (Utah) and Jon Embree (Colorado) reiterated that the move was not only a bold step for their respective member institutions, but a positive one in terms of growing the sport of football with fans and student-athletes on the west coast.
The biggest question, however, posed to both coaches on Tuesday was how the move to a new conference would change the dynamics of their program.
"We are changing our procedures and preparation process," said Whittingham. "One of the biggest challenges facing us is a lack of familiarity with the conference. The wear and tear of playing in the Pac-12 is something we have to approach the right way and be smart in the way we practice. But there's no more pressure than ever before, because you want to win regardless of what conference you're in."
Embree, who is in his first year at the helm of the Buffaloes, says the major challenge facing his team starts from within. The former CU alum believes his first objective will be to change the culture of a program that went just 13-23 over the past three seasons.
"Unfortunately, our reputation has changed and we need to get it back to where it once was," said Embree, who most recently was the Washington Redskins' tight ends coach. "We need to re-establish ourselves back down here in terms of recruiting. With eight coaches who have either coached or played in the NFL, I think that helps us. That gives us instant credibility when you know what's on the other side of the fence."
USC and Utah will waste little time getting to know one another, as the two teams square off to open conference play at the Coliseum on Sept.10. Embree's squad will welcome the Trojans to Boulder towards the later part of 2011, as the two Pac-12 South foes will clash in a rare Friday night game on Nov.4.
It should be noted, that even in a non-bowl season, USC apparently has a few more fans than expected in the media. The assembled press on hand for media day voted the Trojans' as the preseason favorite to claim the Pac-12's inaugural South Division title.
(Derick Hingle/ Icon SMI)
