Utah Utes: CU's Pac-10 move has minor impact on U.

SALT LAKE CITY — So much for speculation that Colorado and Utah would join the Pac-10 together. On Thursday, the Buffaloes formally accepted an invitation to join the league.

The Utes, meanwhile, face an uncertain future.

With Big 12 Conference members Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State reportedly contemplating a move West to form a so-called Pac-16, they're caught in a rumor mill filled with various scenarios.

Possible destinations for Utah include the Pac-10 (if the Big 12 teams — or even a portion — balk at membership), the Big 12 (possibly joining Boise State, BYU, TCU and others with leftovers Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State and Missouri) or remaining in the Mountain West Conference (with expanded membership including Boise State and some of the remaining Big 12 teams).

MWC commissioner Craig Thompson released a statement on the ever-changing situation after Colorado left the Big 12 for the Pac-10.

"The Mountain West Conference is fully in tune with the ongoing developments in the intercollegiate athletics landscape, including today's announcement of a change in other conferences' memberships," Thompson said. "We remain in communication with key parties and are continuing to implement our internal strategies. These deliberations are ongoing and will remain confidential until the appropriate time."

Speculation is rampant and will continue to be until more pieces to the puzzle fall into place. More movement could happen Friday if Nebraska joins the Big Ten and other things occur.

All is quiet, however, at Utah.

"We have no plans at this time for a press conference or an announcement," said associate athletic director Liz Abel, who reiterated that the university is still positioned not to comment on all the speculation.

In an interview with the Deseret News last week, Utah President Michael Young said he was happy with the Mountain West Conference but was open to other options. He indicated he had talked with people from other leagues but nothing was "formal."

"If the Pac-10 were to knock on the door, it's something we'd have to seriously consider with its great, storied tradition," Young said. "But nobody has made us an offer."

Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham said he tries not to pay much attention to all of the talk going on about conference realignment.

"First of all, there's nothing I can do about it, and second of all, there's so much speculation out there, I can't keep up with it all," he said. "Let's wait until the dust settles and see what happens. What's the point of trying to keep up with it when it changes daily?"

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