College Football Shake Up: USC Gets Two Year Bowl Ban, Pac-10 Adds Colorado, Nebraska To Big Ten
June 10th, 2010- By Bryan Cross
One could call this week, “The period that began the change of college football landscape for the next decade.”
However, with all the talk of expansion, the main item for the week to date begins with the University of Southern California, and the NCAA’s decision to impose several sanctions on the team relating to a scandal several seasons ago.
ESPN reports that the University will receive a two-year post-season ban, and will forfeit wins from the 2004-05 season, including the 2005 Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma in which the Trojans captured the BCS National Championship.
In addition, USC will lose as many as 20 scholarships, and will have limited recruiting contacts over the next two years.
A response is expected from the University at some point on Thursday or Friday.
The NCAA infractions committee met and discussed the issues relating to USC back in February and reached the decision and penalties according to what the committee felt met the crime.
The USC football program has been one of the most dominant since the turn of the century, tabbing seven Pac-10 Championship titles and two national championships under former head coach Pete Carrol, who jetted for the NFL shortly after the conclusion of last season to become the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.
It has been seven years since a BCS program has been banned from post-season participation.
The school has been under investigation regarding improper benefits received by Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush during the 2004-05 season.
The school will get the opportunity to appeal the imposed sanctions by the NCAA.
College Football continued to be at the forefront of sports headlines regarding conference shake ups and expansion.
Colorado was the first to jump ship, leaving the Big-12 conference for the Pac-10 on Thursday.
“This is an historic moment for the conference, as the Pac-10 is poised for tremendous growth,” said commissioner Larry Scott.
“The University of Colorado is a great fit for the conference both academically and athletically and we are incredibly excited to welcome Colorado to the Pac-10.”
Dan Beebe, the commissioner of the Big-12 conference stated that Colorado informed him of the decision.
“I continue to work through the process that was agreed upon last week by our Board of Directors to address membership issues, and are working tirelessly towards the long-term viability of the Big 12,” Beebe remarked.
He will have to try and keep Nebraska from leaving for the Big-10, as all reports indicate that it is only a matter of time before it happens.
“It’s going to happen, unless something crazy happens in the final hours,” an ESPN source said. “I think by this weekend, it’s going to be wrapped up.”
The shift in conferences could largely affect the betting odds for the upcoming college football season, as Online Sportsbooks are fielding futures odds for the 2010-11 BCS National Championship.
Related posts:
- NCAA Adds Two More Bowl Games To Schedule, But Is It Too Much?
- Several College Football Juniors To Face NFL Future After Bowl Games
- Randy Shannon Gets Four-Year Contract Extension From Miami
- Yankee Stadium to Host New Era Pinstripe Bowl
- Evan Turner Elected AP Player of The Year; Jim Boeheim the Coach Of the Year
