Commentary

Pac-12 could halt SEC's reign

Infusion of cash, coaching talent has Pac-12 poised to become nation's best league

Updated: December 8, 2011, 2:03 AM ET
By Brock Huard | ESPN Insider

The SEC is poised to see one of its members win a sixth consecutive Allstate BCS National Championship for a number of reasons. For starters, the league has the most talented players (more SEC alumni fill NFL rosters than any other conference) and the most accomplished coaches (four of the 12 current head coaches have national championship rings).

The tradition, the facilities, the fan bases and the game's popularity in the South further distance the conference from many of its peers.

However, as dominant as the conference has been in recent seasons, another league is poised to end the SEC's reign as the best in America: the Pac-12.

Don't believe me? Then just take a closer look at what is transpiring out West.

The fundamentals are in place for tremendous growth in the Pac-12, led most importantly by a forward-thinking commissioner unwilling to settle for second. Larry Scott brokered the richest television deal in the history of collegiate athletics for his conference, one that not only ensures tens of millions of dollars annually for all of its members but also allows for the type of visibility and exposure necessary to get into every recruit's living room.


To read how the Pac-12 is positioning itself to become the country's most powerful conference, sign up for ESPN Insider.

Brock Huard

ESPN Insider
• College football analyst for ESPN
• Six-year NFL QB, and three-year starter at University of Washington
• Co-host of the Brock and Danny Show on ESPN 710 AM in Seattle

SPONSORED HEADLINES

MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL HEADLINES

MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM