I say …
Not so long ago, this news would have been like the “Anvil Chorus” from “Il Trovatore,” Verdi blaring from the loudspeakers in our ears. But it was a jingle tapping on my wrist.
I’m excited that San Diego State – along with Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, and at least two more to be named later – will be playing in the Pac-12/whatever in 2026 along with Washington State and Oregon State.
But I’m not crazy. It’s not the real Pac-12 that got razed to the ground, but it’s better than anything the Aztecs have ever been a part of. And who knows? Given the puzzling state of college sports, it might be the best and only conference they’ll ever be a part of.
Since the first of several lunches with Knute Rockne and Gus Dorais where we talked about what follows in this column—and in the process developed the passing game on napkins over French dips—it has been my dream to see SDSU in the Pac-8, Pac-10, Pac-12 or some kind of Pac.
For my alma mater, this is different than the PCAA, the WAC and the godforsaken Mountain West, where a sea-level team overcomes mountainous challenges by traveling and playing in the thin air of cities whose market size is equivalent to that of bodegas.
But joining one of the old Pacs, 8, 10 or 12, wasn’t an option. USC and UCLA didn’t want the Aztecs sharing their recruiting grounds. And then the Pac-12 botched it all, opening the door to everyone except Oregon State and Washington State to leave.
The Pac-6, as it stands, needs to grow by at least two schools to be recognized as a true conference by the FBS, which will happen. But it should probably grow to 12, which is probably what will happen. It would be much better if Stanford and Cal left the ACC and returned.
The thing is, I continue to worry about the Aztecs football program. It seems that the SDSU fan base only cares about men’s basketball and not much else. The football team couldn’t draw a crooked line when they were a winner every year going bowling.
It was beyond boring during Brady Hoke’s Woody Hayes era. And although his successor, Sean Lewis, was hired to add sparkle and zest to the offense, it’s too early to judge him (at least he’s talking 100 mph). No coach in the country has had to step off the boring scale more.
And the fancy new Snapdragon Stadium isn’t Petco Park, which has become a popular destination and was one when the Padres were bad for so long. SDSU basketball is one of the best programs in the country and sells out, but football pays the bill, and that program just doesn’t put the fans it has in the seats.
The best part will be the trip for everyone involved, especially for the basketball team, which currently has to play more games and avoid smaller places and the Winter Lion.
I have no problem with this move, which puts the Aztecs in a better position. The future of college sports cannot be viewed through a clear lens, so this is the best move.
What was once a football town is now baseball and basketball. SDSU has been cornered and this seems to be the only way out.
But let’s not confuse this with the Pac-12, the greatest sports conference in the history of the world. Let’s say the Aztecs will be better than they are now, but there are far too many unknowns out there – and that includes the halls of SDSU – to get carried away.
This is not a negative thing. It is simply the reality of an unrealistic college world. …
Shedeur Sanders has six fingers on one hand. The sixth is for pointing. Disappointing.
There is no doubt that the police officer in Miami acted inappropriately. But Tyreek Hillnot exactly Saint Anthony of Padua, did NOT cooperate. …
It seems to me that every time a receiver is called for offensive pass interference, there are doubters. It is not called nearly enough. …
A receiver is wide open. The pass is terribly short. The wideout stops and turns. The DB can’t help but run into him. Pass interference. Terrible rule. Do you think some quarterbacks don’t do this on purpose? …
The best football players I saw on the first NFL weekend were TJ Watt And Joey Bosa. The Watt family gene pool is about as shallow as the Mariana Trench. …
The same goes for the Bosas. Joey had one of his best games against the Raiders (and his 49ers brother Nick wasn’t bad either). This could be the best D-line the Judases have had in years. …
Maxx Crosbythe Raiders’ atomic engine, had no pressure against the rookie tackle Joe Alt. Alt will not have many harder tests. …
Tua needs to seriously think about his retirement, his future as a human being, husband and father, before there is one concussion too many (if there hasn’t been one already). And his $160 million guaranteed salary is a platinum parachute. …
Is it any wonder that the NFL resisted such high guaranteed compensation for so long? …
If the NFL has banned the drop tackle, the officials don’t know what it is. …
It is no exaggeration to say Christian McCaffrey was the first player selected in over 90 percent of fantasy drafts. The Niners knew he wouldn’t play the Friday before the Jets game. He never made it onto the injury report. A league that fully supports gambling can’t be happy. …
If Jayden Danielswho has the body of a stick figure and continues to play football, his career will be shorter than a sonnet. …
Bill Belichick will coach the New York Football Giants in 2025. You bet on it. But why would he bring his mop to clean up this mess at 73? …
Now in its ninth season, Daniel Prescott gets $60 million per year. Or $30 million per playoff win. …
The trouble is smoking like a barbecue in Kansas City. Taylor Swift supports the 49ers. …
Taylor didn’t give me a recommendation, but that’s no surprise. I can’t stand the Chiefs and have never bought any of their records. …
Missouri had a second and 59 against BC. But Mizzou football is back, and I am happy for Patrick Finleywho is my godson, and Tim Sullivanwho would like to be one, but isn’t. …
It is obvious that Red Sox fans miss Don Orsillo more than Ted Williams. …
I just saw a video from Caitlin Clark swinging in a batting cage. Why? Does she want baseball players to hate her now? …
Last Tuesday night, after watching the equivalent of his famous 91-second fight with Mike Tyson, Michael Spinks said: “I won the fight.” …
REST IN PEACE, James Earl Joneswho went to his Creator, to whom James gave his voice on earth. …
The farmers get about $4 per bushel of corn. And yet, if anything is made from the stuff sold at Tiffany’s…
If the NFL Draft were to take place tomorrow, the receiver from Alabama Ryan Williams would be a No. 1. He is a 17-year-old freshman. …
Here again I have to ask: What should I do with all this toilet paper? …
Thanksgiving dinner in Springfield, Ohio: “Please give me the Whiskers.”
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