The feeling of excitement is clear from Logan.
July 1 has been a date circled on the calendars of many Utah State fans, administrators and coaches, as it marked the official start of the new Pac-12 Conference.
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It’s a moment that’s been nearly two years in the making, after the Aggies accepted an offer to join the conference in 2024.
The new Pac-12 is largely made up of previous Mountain West members, including Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State. They join new members Texas State and Gonzaga, and current members Oregon State and Washington State.
Something that Utah State administrators and coaches are excited about is the continued regional aspect of the Pac-12, especially after some conferences have given up the tradition of regional conferences in realignment.
“I think we have a huge advantage, especially in football season and those evening windows,” said Utah State president Brad L. Mortensen. “Pac-12 at night was a thing, and we think it can be a thing again, because we’re going to be the only conference that really can fill in that evening time slot on TV broadcasts, and all of our games are going to be on linear TV across the league.
“I also think that as we are moving forward, we have this regional aspect, but there are some new rivalries there too.”
Of course, it’s also undeniable that the landscape of college sports is changing. NIL has forced schools to adapt their recruiting structure and resources.
In the grand scheme of college athletics, the Aggies certainly don’t expect to be a powerhouse in terms of financial resources. However, the feeling among the administrators is that they believe they can stay competitive in that regard, especially with the name recognition of the Pac-12.
The hope is that the Pac-12’s name recognition will help if it can rebrand itself as the premier non-Power Four conference.
“It does (help) from a branding standpoint,” said Aggies athletic director Cameron Walker. “I think it does from a perception standpoint. I think it does from a viewership standpoint.
“The hope is we come out as a school and as a league and are competitive right from the start. You want those debates early on of, ‘Who’s the next best non-P4 league in this space?’ The quicker we can generate and be a part of that conversation, then you start getting talk about making that next step, and that’s the goal.
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“I don’t think anybody’s satisfied with where the Pac-12 is right now, and that’s what makes it an exciting league. I think all the ADs are like-minded in that. I know the commissioner is, and it’s like, ‘This is where we’re at now.’ It’s a great place, don’t get me wrong, but nobody’s quite satisfied with that. I think that helps as we’re able to build. Everybody wants to do it first, and this will be a first for Utah State to be able to go win Pac-12 championships.”
There’s certainly an argument to be made that men’s basketball benefited the most from the move from the Mountain West to the Pac-12. New Utah State head coach Ben Jacobson was not shy in sharing that the move to the Pac-12 was a strong selling point in getting him to Logan.
He agreed with Walker’s sentiment that the Pac-12 is fighting for a top-5 spot in terms of basketball conferences.
“That was not only an important factor in making the decision to change jobs and be our head coach here at Utah State, the excitement surrounding the Pac-12 and the opportunities that come with it,” Jacobson said. “But then also you’ve got the Power Four that hasn’t changed. But the new Pac-12, are we able to slide in? The Big East would be fifth. So, are we able to slide into that conversation, and are we able to get level with the Big East?”
The hopes are high in year one of the Pac-12 with Mountain West Player of the Year Mason Falslev and Sixth Man of the Year Karson Templin returning to the Aggies.
“In terms of the Pac-12, just excited about it,” Jacobson said. “What a great opportunity for all of us. One of the things I’m excited about is it forces us, in a positive way, to find our best. We always feel like we’re doing everything we can as a coach or as a player to improve and get better and get ready for a season when you’ve got this opportunity, this challenge in front of you, one that’s this exciting.”
Meanwhile, Utah State has much more to prove on the football field. The Aggies are looking to improve on last year’s flawed but encouraging season.
Head coach Bronco Mendenhall said that the Pac-12 could provide similar parity to the Mountain West, and he hopes to capitalize.
“I think the league is full of parity, just like I thought last year,” Mendenhall said. “I think we’re in every game right to the end with a great chance to win. I don’t think anyone’s significantly better. So, I like our chances. I like our culture. I like our execution. I like our toughness, and I like our talent. So, I wouldn’t rule us out, and for anyone who would say, ‘Man, the league is tiered as such,’ They’re missing the point. I think it’s almost dead even.”
With new leadership at the helm and a new conference in tow, there’s good reason to be excited about the future of Utah State athletics.
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