Pac-10 Expansion: With 16 Teams, Should Conference Get Two Automatic BCS Bids?

The college landscape continues to turn upside down.

The rumors surrounding the future of the NCAA is quite interesting, as while one conference is ready to become elite, another is ready to fall.

Despite the Big 12 attempting to keep the conference together, it is more than likely that if Oklahoma or Texas (possibly even both) head to the Pac-10, then Texas Tech, Oklahoma St, and Texas A&M may follow suit.

So that got me thinking. If the projected 16 teams comes together under one roof, should the Pac 16 have two automatic bids?

Sounds crazy, doesn't it? But, I think it may have to be done.

Yes, I am well aware that fans of the SEC will disagree with me.

But the Pac 16 would add a lot of depth where they would become, in my mind, the most balanced conference in America.

Let's see. We would have the powerhouses in USC, Texas, and Oklahoma, with Oregon and Stanford making its way up.

Arizona, California, UCLA, and Oklahoma St. are programs that have improved with recruiting, and will be competitive this season.

My first thought is, there would be two divisions. In that case, I would be sure to have Texas-Oklahoma in one division, while USC has Oregon, California, UCLA, in the other ( let the rivalries continue).

I'll be honest. I am not a fan of USC. Never cared for Pete Caroll, and I especially don't like Lane Kiffin.

But despite the sanctions, in a few years they will be a top five team like they are every season.

What makes the decision a little easier for some is the idea of programs like Oregon and Stanford that have great coaches right now, and are building top programs there.

I think it will get to a point where they will be content at their schools, and focus on making programs elite.

There is also an argument that the SEC deserves two automatic bids.

Maybe it works both ways. If two teams from separate conferences deserve the bids, then they should have the opportunity.

But, assuming there may be a down year or two between the big three, two teams will finish in the top 10 every season.

Including the schools that are coming right behind, in my mind, makes it a much tougher road to win the conference/make it to the championship game, despite the physicality it brings.

Sure, it is quite possible that the conference would get two bids anyway ( one being an atlarge). However, with the talent/schedule becoming more challenging, it may be right to give the Pac 16 the benefit of the doubt.

If the Pac 16 does in fact happen, I think the BCS should look into giving two automatic bids to a conference that, in this case, would be one true powerhouse of college football.

Matt Miselis is a writer/NFL Featured Columnist that is on national assignment for the college realignment.

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