The recent announcement by the Big 10 that it would explore expansion has once again created a bit of discussion about the future of the Pac-10. One would have to think that if the Big 10 did expand to 12 teams (Missouri has already expressed interest) and added a conference title game... that the Pac-10 would have to seriously consider expansion as well.

Lots of names always get thrown out there... Colorado, Fresno State, BYU to name a few. Obviously, this is not only about football and basketball. The university presidents of the member schools will strongly consider "academic fit", looking for schools that meet the league's academic profile. But another big factor will have to be expanding the Pac-10 conference "footprint" in a meaningful way.

Here are the most likely candidates as I see them...

1. COLORADO (Big XII) - Good football tradition. 1990 Nat’l Champs, played in 4 Big XII title games but diminishing returns under Dan Hawkins. Hoops program not as strong, with just 3 NCAA appearances this decade.

Academics: US News Ranking: 77, which is higher than current Pac-10 member schools Oregon, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon State and Washington State.

CU delivers Denver, a growing city and #18 TV market in the US, and expands the Pac-10 footprint all the way to the Rocky Mountains. Likely that CU would strongly consider a move…Buffs are tired of a Big XII run by the Texas schools, while the state of Colorado is more aligned culturally, socially etc. with Oregon/California/Washington than it is with Kansas/Nebraska.

2. UTAH (Mountain West) - very good football program, two undefeated seasons this decade and 2-0 in BCS games. Solid basketball program, went to ’98 Final Four and 6 NCAA appearances this decade.

Academics: US News Ranking: 126 – It is a Tier 1 university with a ranking comparable to Arizona State and higher than Oregon State.

Salt Lake City is a growing city and TV market # 33, comparable to San Diego. Utah would jump at a chance to move from the Mountain West to more prestigious BCS conference. If added to the Pac-10 with Colorado, the league expands it’s footprint to cover the entirety of the western United States, from the Rockies to the Pacific. The Pac-10 would dominate the West. CU/Utah would be travel partners and natural geographic rivals as the league’s two “mountain” schools.

3. BYU (Mountain West) - very strong tradition in football. Quarterback U., ‘84 Nat’l Champs and a Mountain West power. Solid basketball program with 7 NCAA appearances this decade. Enormous national following due to the school's relationship with the Mormon faith. A poor man's Notre Dame.

Academics: US News Ranking: 71. Better than 5 current Pac-10 schools.

Brigham Young has never been shy about its desire to join the Pac-10. BYU brings the same advantages as Utah but the school’s religious affiliation is probably a non-starter for the conference.

4. BOISE STATE (WAC) - Football program is a model for non-BCS success. Other athletic programs, including basketball, are probably not Pac-10 caliber

Academics: US News Ranking: 57. Surprisingly high ranking would place this Tier 1 university smack dab in the middle of the Pac-10.

Unfortunately for the Broncos, Boise State resides in TV market # 110. Adds next to nothing in terms of exposure or new viewers, and does not expand the conference footprint in a meaningful way.

5. FRESNO STATE (WAC) - Football program has some big wins this decade, but Pat Hill’s Bulldogs have never won a WAC title. Academically, FSU is a Tier 4 school, which almost certainly eliminates it from Pac-10 expansion plans.

Additionally, Fresno is the #55 televison market in the US. Certainly not a new market, as the city is already within the Pac-10 footprint and the region is heavily recruited by Pac-10 schools and delivers little in terms of additional viewers.  Anyone still want the Bulldogs?

6. SAN DIEGO STATE (Mountain West) - Football and basketball programs are not strong. San Diego is already a Pac-10 city, residing within the league’s footprint, recruited heavily by member schools and hosting the Holiday Bowl. Academically, San Diego State is Tier 3, which probably eliminates it from league consideration.

7. TEXAS (Big XII) - Cannot imagine any scenario where the Longhorns would leave the Big XII for the Pac-10. They run that conference, and have already spurned Pac-10 advances.

8. TEXAS A&M (Big XII) – See Texas.

9. TCU (Mountain West) – Great football program. Delivers Dallas/Fort Worth is the #6 TV market in the country, and would open up the state of Texas to the Pac-10. But the former Southwest Conference member is supposedly tops on the waiting list for a bid from the Big XII should that league lose teams like Missouri to the Big 10. Lower academic ranking than Utah.

10. SMU (Conference USA) - Also in Dallas, # 6 TV market. Conference USA member. Once great football program has never recovered from first and only NCAA Death Penalty.  # 68 in US News rankings. Have never heard any mention that SMU would be interested in Pac-10 membership.

As stated above, the two most likely and attractive candidates are Colorado and Utah. That combination meets the Pac-10's academic and athletic requirements while bringing Denver and Salt Lake City, the # 18 and #33 TV markets, into the league. A Colorado/Utah would be travel partners in basketball, and would form a natural geographic rivalry in most sports as the league's two "Mountain" schools.

Bottom line? If you're going to expand, the addition of CU and Utah seems to best fit with the Pac-10's unique academic/athletic profile while increasing market share and fan base, bring in a lot of television sets and expanding the league's footprint from the Rockies to the Pacific.