[washingtonismoney]

One last bit of BOO: another year where we've got an early bye week.

BOOOOOOOOOOO

[washingtonismoney]

One last bit of BOO: another year where we've got an early bye week.

BOOOOOOOOOOO

[washingtonismoney]

One last bit of BOO: another year where we've got an early bye week.

BOOOOOOOOOOO

[washingtonismoney]

One last bit of BOO: another year where we've got an early bye week.

BOOOOOOOOOOO

[washingtonismoney]

One last bit of BOO: another year where we've got an early bye week.

BOOOOOOOOOOO

[washingtonismoney]

One last bit of BOO: another year where we've got an early bye week.

BOOOOOOOOOOO

[washingtonismoney]

One last bit of BOO: another year where we've got an early bye week.

BOOOOOOOOOOO

[washingtonismoney]

One last bit of BOO: another year where we've got an early bye week.

BOOOOOOOOOOO

[bulldogbigred]

Why U.S.C. so early and why Oregon so late?

[bulldogbigred]

Why U.S.C. so early and why Oregon so late?

[bulldogbigred]

Why U.S.C. so early and why Oregon so late?

[bulldogbigred]

Why U.S.C. so early and why Oregon so late?

[bulldogbigred]

Why U.S.C. so early and why Oregon so late?

[bulldogbigred]

Why U.S.C. so early and why Oregon so late?

[bulldogbigred]

Why U.S.C. so early and why Oregon so late?

[bulldogbigred]

Why U.S.C. so early and why Oregon so late?

[CowboyIndian]

Boy, this REALLY sucks! Do you think the conference just might, maybe, possibly be promoting the Rubbers' chances on the national stage? Right...thanks, Larry and go crap in that hat of yours.

[CowboyIndian]

Boy, this REALLY sucks! Do you think the conference just might, maybe, possibly be promoting the Rubbers' chances on the national stage? Right...thanks, Larry and go crap in that hat of yours.

[CowboyIndian]

Boy, this REALLY sucks! Do you think the conference just might, maybe, possibly be promoting the Rubbers' chances on the national stage? Right...thanks, Larry and go crap in that hat of yours.

[CowboyIndian]

Boy, this REALLY sucks! Do you think the conference just might, maybe, possibly be promoting the Rubbers' chances on the national stage? Right...thanks, Larry and go crap in that hat of yours.

[CowboyIndian]

Boy, this REALLY sucks! Do you think the conference just might, maybe, possibly be promoting the Rubbers' chances on the national stage? Right...thanks, Larry and go crap in that hat of yours.

[CowboyIndian]

Boy, this REALLY sucks! Do you think the conference just might, maybe, possibly be promoting the Rubbers' chances on the national stage? Right...thanks, Larry and go crap in that hat of yours.

[CowboyIndian]

Boy, this REALLY sucks! Do you think the conference just might, maybe, possibly be promoting the Rubbers' chances on the national stage? Right...thanks, Larry and go crap in that hat of yours.

[CowboyIndian]

Boy, this REALLY sucks! Do you think the conference just might, maybe, possibly be promoting the Rubbers' chances on the national stage? Right...thanks, Larry and go crap in that hat of yours.

[bulldogbigred]

I noticed we missed Utah and Arizona State again. I'm not sure how this new conference scheduling works.

So do we play Arizona and Colorado for a home-and-away series for two years and then we do the same for ASU and Utah, I assume?

[bulldogbigred]

I noticed we missed Utah and Arizona State again. I'm not sure how this new conference scheduling works.

So do we play Arizona and Colorado for a home-and-away series for two years and then we do the same for ASU and Utah, I assume?

[bulldogbigred]

I noticed we missed Utah and Arizona State again. I'm not sure how this new conference scheduling works.

So do we play Arizona and Colorado for a home-and-away series for two years and then we do the same for ASU and Utah, I assume?

[bulldogbigred]

I noticed we missed Utah and Arizona State again. I'm not sure how this new conference scheduling works.

So do we play Arizona and Colorado for a home-and-away series for two years and then we do the same for ASU and Utah, I assume?

[bulldogbigred]

I noticed we missed Utah and Arizona State again. I'm not sure how this new conference scheduling works.

So do we play Arizona and Colorado for a home-and-away series for two years and then we do the same for ASU and Utah, I assume?

[bulldogbigred]

I noticed we missed Utah and Arizona State again. I'm not sure how this new conference scheduling works.

So do we play Arizona and Colorado for a home-and-away series for two years and then we do the same for ASU and Utah, I assume?

[bulldogbigred]

I noticed we missed Utah and Arizona State again. I'm not sure how this new conference scheduling works.

So do we play Arizona and Colorado for a home-and-away series for two years and then we do the same for ASU and Utah, I assume?

[bulldogbigred]

I noticed we missed Utah and Arizona State again. I'm not sure how this new conference scheduling works.

So do we play Arizona and Colorado for a home-and-away series for two years and then we do the same for ASU and Utah, I assume?

[Ferris_Bueller]

Pac-12 just announced the football schedule for next year.

Stanford at Berkeley - OCTOBER 20

Woo-hoo.  Big Game Week will certainly be a lot of fun.

VG

Spin doctoring from another place (http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/...12aae.html)..

Why is the Big Game in October in 2012?
Playing the Big Game at the end of the regular season has been a Bay Area tradition for many, many years, one that fans and everyone within C.al Athletics would like to see continue. However, recent changes in the football landscape have made assembling a Pac-12 schedule more and more challenging.

The schedule for all conference games is decided by a vote of the league's athletic directors. For 2012, three football schedules were presented to the conference ADs for approval - one with the Big Game on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Schedule A with the game on Oct. 20 and Schedule B with the game on Nov. 17. Both C.al and Stanf*rd favored Schedule B and lobbied for its acceptance. While this version kept the Big Game on a more traditional Saturday late in the season, other dates for conference games were significantly impacted.

In line with conference policy, the schedules were put to a vote among the 12 athletic directors, and the majority vote favored schedule A - which slots the Stanford-C.al game on Oct. 20.

The issue is not exclusive to the Big Game, as the scheduling complexity affects all games throughout the Pac-12. Among the factors making an impact are required bye weeks before Thursday-night games (there will be four such games next fall) and the number of available weeks to play a 12-game season between the Labor Day and Thanksgiving weekends.

We do not expect this 2012 scenario to be the norm, but an exception. The 2013 and other future schedules have not yet been approved by the conference, and C.al will do its best to help ensure the Big Game will be scheduled as close to the end of the season as possible.

Why not play the Big Game on Thanksgiving Weekend?
As all C.al fans know, the Big Game is more than just a football game played on a Saturday in the fall. The buildup to the annual contest includes a weeklong list of events - from the Cable Car Rally in San Francisco on Mondays to the Bonfire Rally at the Greek Theatre on Friday nights, not to mention the series of alumni luncheons and dinners, including the Guardsman Luncheon, and the annual Laugh Your Axe Off student comedy show.

To hold the Big Game on Thanksgiving weekend would mean that many of these beloved activities would have to be eliminated because so many of our ticket holders, particularly our students, want to spend time away with their families during this period.

Why hasn't the Big Game date been an issue in previous seasons?
Several years ago, when college football moved to a 12-game regular season, the natural date for the Big Game frequently fell on Thanksgiving Weekend. To avoid that conflict, C.al and Stanf*rd were often able to push the game to early December, such as in 2006 and 2007. In other years, in concert with the rest of the conference, the schools were able to move games around on the schedule and had another contest after the Big Game, which occurred for the three years from 2008-10 when C.al finished the season against Washington. This fall, the Big Game was Nov. 19 with a Thanksgiving Weekend game at Arizona State Nov. 25. Stanf*rd has also had a contest after Big Game six times since 2001, including this year's game vs. Notre Dame Nov. 26.

However, now that the conference has expanded to 12 teams, the Pac-12 Championship Game will be on the first Friday in December or last Friday in November, which limits scheduling options at the end of the year and creates some of the challenges noted above.

[Ferris_Bueller]

Pac-12 just announced the football schedule for next year.

Stanford at Berkeley - OCTOBER 20

Woo-hoo.  Big Game Week will certainly be a lot of fun.

VG

Spin doctoring from another place (http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/...12aae.html)..

Why is the Big Game in October in 2012?
Playing the Big Game at the end of the regular season has been a Bay Area tradition for many, many years, one that fans and everyone within C.al Athletics would like to see continue. However, recent changes in the football landscape have made assembling a Pac-12 schedule more and more challenging.

The schedule for all conference games is decided by a vote of the league's athletic directors. For 2012, three football schedules were presented to the conference ADs for approval - one with the Big Game on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Schedule A with the game on Oct. 20 and Schedule B with the game on Nov. 17. Both C.al and Stanf*rd favored Schedule B and lobbied for its acceptance. While this version kept the Big Game on a more traditional Saturday late in the season, other dates for conference games were significantly impacted.

In line with conference policy, the schedules were put to a vote among the 12 athletic directors, and the majority vote favored schedule A - which slots the Stanford-C.al game on Oct. 20.

The issue is not exclusive to the Big Game, as the scheduling complexity affects all games throughout the Pac-12. Among the factors making an impact are required bye weeks before Thursday-night games (there will be four such games next fall) and the number of available weeks to play a 12-game season between the Labor Day and Thanksgiving weekends.

We do not expect this 2012 scenario to be the norm, but an exception. The 2013 and other future schedules have not yet been approved by the conference, and C.al will do its best to help ensure the Big Game will be scheduled as close to the end of the season as possible.

Why not play the Big Game on Thanksgiving Weekend?
As all C.al fans know, the Big Game is more than just a football game played on a Saturday in the fall. The buildup to the annual contest includes a weeklong list of events - from the Cable Car Rally in San Francisco on Mondays to the Bonfire Rally at the Greek Theatre on Friday nights, not to mention the series of alumni luncheons and dinners, including the Guardsman Luncheon, and the annual Laugh Your Axe Off student comedy show.

To hold the Big Game on Thanksgiving weekend would mean that many of these beloved activities would have to be eliminated because so many of our ticket holders, particularly our students, want to spend time away with their families during this period.

Why hasn't the Big Game date been an issue in previous seasons?
Several years ago, when college football moved to a 12-game regular season, the natural date for the Big Game frequently fell on Thanksgiving Weekend. To avoid that conflict, C.al and Stanf*rd were often able to push the game to early December, such as in 2006 and 2007. In other years, in concert with the rest of the conference, the schools were able to move games around on the schedule and had another contest after the Big Game, which occurred for the three years from 2008-10 when C.al finished the season against Washington. This fall, the Big Game was Nov. 19 with a Thanksgiving Weekend game at Arizona State Nov. 25. Stanf*rd has also had a contest after Big Game six times since 2001, including this year's game vs. Notre Dame Nov. 26.

However, now that the conference has expanded to 12 teams, the Pac-12 Championship Game will be on the first Friday in December or last Friday in November, which limits scheduling options at the end of the year and creates some of the challenges noted above.

[Ferris_Bueller]

Pac-12 just announced the football schedule for next year.

Stanford at Berkeley - OCTOBER 20

Woo-hoo.  Big Game Week will certainly be a lot of fun.

VG

Spin doctoring from another place (http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/...12aae.html)..

Why is the Big Game in October in 2012?
Playing the Big Game at the end of the regular season has been a Bay Area tradition for many, many years, one that fans and everyone within C.al Athletics would like to see continue. However, recent changes in the football landscape have made assembling a Pac-12 schedule more and more challenging.

The schedule for all conference games is decided by a vote of the league's athletic directors. For 2012, three football schedules were presented to the conference ADs for approval - one with the Big Game on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Schedule A with the game on Oct. 20 and Schedule B with the game on Nov. 17. Both C.al and Stanf*rd favored Schedule B and lobbied for its acceptance. While this version kept the Big Game on a more traditional Saturday late in the season, other dates for conference games were significantly impacted.

In line with conference policy, the schedules were put to a vote among the 12 athletic directors, and the majority vote favored schedule A - which slots the Stanford-C.al game on Oct. 20.

The issue is not exclusive to the Big Game, as the scheduling complexity affects all games throughout the Pac-12. Among the factors making an impact are required bye weeks before Thursday-night games (there will be four such games next fall) and the number of available weeks to play a 12-game season between the Labor Day and Thanksgiving weekends.

We do not expect this 2012 scenario to be the norm, but an exception. The 2013 and other future schedules have not yet been approved by the conference, and C.al will do its best to help ensure the Big Game will be scheduled as close to the end of the season as possible.

Why not play the Big Game on Thanksgiving Weekend?
As all C.al fans know, the Big Game is more than just a football game played on a Saturday in the fall. The buildup to the annual contest includes a weeklong list of events - from the Cable Car Rally in San Francisco on Mondays to the Bonfire Rally at the Greek Theatre on Friday nights, not to mention the series of alumni luncheons and dinners, including the Guardsman Luncheon, and the annual Laugh Your Axe Off student comedy show.

To hold the Big Game on Thanksgiving weekend would mean that many of these beloved activities would have to be eliminated because so many of our ticket holders, particularly our students, want to spend time away with their families during this period.

Why hasn't the Big Game date been an issue in previous seasons?
Several years ago, when college football moved to a 12-game regular season, the natural date for the Big Game frequently fell on Thanksgiving Weekend. To avoid that conflict, C.al and Stanf*rd were often able to push the game to early December, such as in 2006 and 2007. In other years, in concert with the rest of the conference, the schools were able to move games around on the schedule and had another contest after the Big Game, which occurred for the three years from 2008-10 when C.al finished the season against Washington. This fall, the Big Game was Nov. 19 with a Thanksgiving Weekend game at Arizona State Nov. 25. Stanf*rd has also had a contest after Big Game six times since 2001, including this year's game vs. Notre Dame Nov. 26.

However, now that the conference has expanded to 12 teams, the Pac-12 Championship Game will be on the first Friday in December or last Friday in November, which limits scheduling options at the end of the year and creates some of the challenges noted above.

[Ferris_Bueller]

Pac-12 just announced the football schedule for next year.

Stanford at Berkeley - OCTOBER 20

Woo-hoo.  Big Game Week will certainly be a lot of fun.

VG

Spin doctoring from another place (http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/...12aae.html)..

Why is the Big Game in October in 2012?
Playing the Big Game at the end of the regular season has been a Bay Area tradition for many, many years, one that fans and everyone within C.al Athletics would like to see continue. However, recent changes in the football landscape have made assembling a Pac-12 schedule more and more challenging.

The schedule for all conference games is decided by a vote of the league's athletic directors. For 2012, three football schedules were presented to the conference ADs for approval - one with the Big Game on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Schedule A with the game on Oct. 20 and Schedule B with the game on Nov. 17. Both C.al and Stanf*rd favored Schedule B and lobbied for its acceptance. While this version kept the Big Game on a more traditional Saturday late in the season, other dates for conference games were significantly impacted.

In line with conference policy, the schedules were put to a vote among the 12 athletic directors, and the majority vote favored schedule A - which slots the Stanford-C.al game on Oct. 20.

The issue is not exclusive to the Big Game, as the scheduling complexity affects all games throughout the Pac-12. Among the factors making an impact are required bye weeks before Thursday-night games (there will be four such games next fall) and the number of available weeks to play a 12-game season between the Labor Day and Thanksgiving weekends.

We do not expect this 2012 scenario to be the norm, but an exception. The 2013 and other future schedules have not yet been approved by the conference, and C.al will do its best to help ensure the Big Game will be scheduled as close to the end of the season as possible.

Why not play the Big Game on Thanksgiving Weekend?
As all C.al fans know, the Big Game is more than just a football game played on a Saturday in the fall. The buildup to the annual contest includes a weeklong list of events - from the Cable Car Rally in San Francisco on Mondays to the Bonfire Rally at the Greek Theatre on Friday nights, not to mention the series of alumni luncheons and dinners, including the Guardsman Luncheon, and the annual Laugh Your Axe Off student comedy show.

To hold the Big Game on Thanksgiving weekend would mean that many of these beloved activities would have to be eliminated because so many of our ticket holders, particularly our students, want to spend time away with their families during this period.

Why hasn't the Big Game date been an issue in previous seasons?
Several years ago, when college football moved to a 12-game regular season, the natural date for the Big Game frequently fell on Thanksgiving Weekend. To avoid that conflict, C.al and Stanf*rd were often able to push the game to early December, such as in 2006 and 2007. In other years, in concert with the rest of the conference, the schools were able to move games around on the schedule and had another contest after the Big Game, which occurred for the three years from 2008-10 when C.al finished the season against Washington. This fall, the Big Game was Nov. 19 with a Thanksgiving Weekend game at Arizona State Nov. 25. Stanf*rd has also had a contest after Big Game six times since 2001, including this year's game vs. Notre Dame Nov. 26.

However, now that the conference has expanded to 12 teams, the Pac-12 Championship Game will be on the first Friday in December or last Friday in November, which limits scheduling options at the end of the year and creates some of the challenges noted above.

[Ferris_Bueller]

Pac-12 just announced the football schedule for next year.

Stanford at Berkeley - OCTOBER 20

Woo-hoo.  Big Game Week will certainly be a lot of fun.

VG

Spin doctoring from another place (http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/...12aae.html)..

Why is the Big Game in October in 2012?
Playing the Big Game at the end of the regular season has been a Bay Area tradition for many, many years, one that fans and everyone within C.al Athletics would like to see continue. However, recent changes in the football landscape have made assembling a Pac-12 schedule more and more challenging.

The schedule for all conference games is decided by a vote of the league's athletic directors. For 2012, three football schedules were presented to the conference ADs for approval - one with the Big Game on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Schedule A with the game on Oct. 20 and Schedule B with the game on Nov. 17. Both C.al and Stanf*rd favored Schedule B and lobbied for its acceptance. While this version kept the Big Game on a more traditional Saturday late in the season, other dates for conference games were significantly impacted.

In line with conference policy, the schedules were put to a vote among the 12 athletic directors, and the majority vote favored schedule A - which slots the Stanford-C.al game on Oct. 20.

The issue is not exclusive to the Big Game, as the scheduling complexity affects all games throughout the Pac-12. Among the factors making an impact are required bye weeks before Thursday-night games (there will be four such games next fall) and the number of available weeks to play a 12-game season between the Labor Day and Thanksgiving weekends.

We do not expect this 2012 scenario to be the norm, but an exception. The 2013 and other future schedules have not yet been approved by the conference, and C.al will do its best to help ensure the Big Game will be scheduled as close to the end of the season as possible.

Why not play the Big Game on Thanksgiving Weekend?
As all C.al fans know, the Big Game is more than just a football game played on a Saturday in the fall. The buildup to the annual contest includes a weeklong list of events - from the Cable Car Rally in San Francisco on Mondays to the Bonfire Rally at the Greek Theatre on Friday nights, not to mention the series of alumni luncheons and dinners, including the Guardsman Luncheon, and the annual Laugh Your Axe Off student comedy show.

To hold the Big Game on Thanksgiving weekend would mean that many of these beloved activities would have to be eliminated because so many of our ticket holders, particularly our students, want to spend time away with their families during this period.

Why hasn't the Big Game date been an issue in previous seasons?
Several years ago, when college football moved to a 12-game regular season, the natural date for the Big Game frequently fell on Thanksgiving Weekend. To avoid that conflict, C.al and Stanf*rd were often able to push the game to early December, such as in 2006 and 2007. In other years, in concert with the rest of the conference, the schools were able to move games around on the schedule and had another contest after the Big Game, which occurred for the three years from 2008-10 when C.al finished the season against Washington. This fall, the Big Game was Nov. 19 with a Thanksgiving Weekend game at Arizona State Nov. 25. Stanf*rd has also had a contest after Big Game six times since 2001, including this year's game vs. Notre Dame Nov. 26.

However, now that the conference has expanded to 12 teams, the Pac-12 Championship Game will be on the first Friday in December or last Friday in November, which limits scheduling options at the end of the year and creates some of the challenges noted above.

[Ferris_Bueller]

Pac-12 just announced the football schedule for next year.

Stanford at Berkeley - OCTOBER 20

Woo-hoo.  Big Game Week will certainly be a lot of fun.

VG

Spin doctoring from another place (http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/...12aae.html)..

Why is the Big Game in October in 2012?
Playing the Big Game at the end of the regular season has been a Bay Area tradition for many, many years, one that fans and everyone within C.al Athletics would like to see continue. However, recent changes in the football landscape have made assembling a Pac-12 schedule more and more challenging.

The schedule for all conference games is decided by a vote of the league's athletic directors. For 2012, three football schedules were presented to the conference ADs for approval - one with the Big Game on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Schedule A with the game on Oct. 20 and Schedule B with the game on Nov. 17. Both C.al and Stanf*rd favored Schedule B and lobbied for its acceptance. While this version kept the Big Game on a more traditional Saturday late in the season, other dates for conference games were significantly impacted.

In line with conference policy, the schedules were put to a vote among the 12 athletic directors, and the majority vote favored schedule A - which slots the Stanford-C.al game on Oct. 20.

The issue is not exclusive to the Big Game, as the scheduling complexity affects all games throughout the Pac-12. Among the factors making an impact are required bye weeks before Thursday-night games (there will be four such games next fall) and the number of available weeks to play a 12-game season between the Labor Day and Thanksgiving weekends.

We do not expect this 2012 scenario to be the norm, but an exception. The 2013 and other future schedules have not yet been approved by the conference, and C.al will do its best to help ensure the Big Game will be scheduled as close to the end of the season as possible.

Why not play the Big Game on Thanksgiving Weekend?
As all C.al fans know, the Big Game is more than just a football game played on a Saturday in the fall. The buildup to the annual contest includes a weeklong list of events - from the Cable Car Rally in San Francisco on Mondays to the Bonfire Rally at the Greek Theatre on Friday nights, not to mention the series of alumni luncheons and dinners, including the Guardsman Luncheon, and the annual Laugh Your Axe Off student comedy show.

To hold the Big Game on Thanksgiving weekend would mean that many of these beloved activities would have to be eliminated because so many of our ticket holders, particularly our students, want to spend time away with their families during this period.

Why hasn't the Big Game date been an issue in previous seasons?
Several years ago, when college football moved to a 12-game regular season, the natural date for the Big Game frequently fell on Thanksgiving Weekend. To avoid that conflict, C.al and Stanf*rd were often able to push the game to early December, such as in 2006 and 2007. In other years, in concert with the rest of the conference, the schools were able to move games around on the schedule and had another contest after the Big Game, which occurred for the three years from 2008-10 when C.al finished the season against Washington. This fall, the Big Game was Nov. 19 with a Thanksgiving Weekend game at Arizona State Nov. 25. Stanf*rd has also had a contest after Big Game six times since 2001, including this year's game vs. Notre Dame Nov. 26.

However, now that the conference has expanded to 12 teams, the Pac-12 Championship Game will be on the first Friday in December or last Friday in November, which limits scheduling options at the end of the year and creates some of the challenges noted above.

[Ferris_Bueller]

Pac-12 just announced the football schedule for next year.

Stanford at Berkeley - OCTOBER 20

Woo-hoo.  Big Game Week will certainly be a lot of fun.

VG

Spin doctoring from another place (http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/...12aae.html)..

Why is the Big Game in October in 2012?
Playing the Big Game at the end of the regular season has been a Bay Area tradition for many, many years, one that fans and everyone within C.al Athletics would like to see continue. However, recent changes in the football landscape have made assembling a Pac-12 schedule more and more challenging.

The schedule for all conference games is decided by a vote of the league's athletic directors. For 2012, three football schedules were presented to the conference ADs for approval - one with the Big Game on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Schedule A with the game on Oct. 20 and Schedule B with the game on Nov. 17. Both C.al and Stanf*rd favored Schedule B and lobbied for its acceptance. While this version kept the Big Game on a more traditional Saturday late in the season, other dates for conference games were significantly impacted.

In line with conference policy, the schedules were put to a vote among the 12 athletic directors, and the majority vote favored schedule A - which slots the Stanford-C.al game on Oct. 20.

The issue is not exclusive to the Big Game, as the scheduling complexity affects all games throughout the Pac-12. Among the factors making an impact are required bye weeks before Thursday-night games (there will be four such games next fall) and the number of available weeks to play a 12-game season between the Labor Day and Thanksgiving weekends.

We do not expect this 2012 scenario to be the norm, but an exception. The 2013 and other future schedules have not yet been approved by the conference, and C.al will do its best to help ensure the Big Game will be scheduled as close to the end of the season as possible.

Why not play the Big Game on Thanksgiving Weekend?
As all C.al fans know, the Big Game is more than just a football game played on a Saturday in the fall. The buildup to the annual contest includes a weeklong list of events - from the Cable Car Rally in San Francisco on Mondays to the Bonfire Rally at the Greek Theatre on Friday nights, not to mention the series of alumni luncheons and dinners, including the Guardsman Luncheon, and the annual Laugh Your Axe Off student comedy show.

To hold the Big Game on Thanksgiving weekend would mean that many of these beloved activities would have to be eliminated because so many of our ticket holders, particularly our students, want to spend time away with their families during this period.

Why hasn't the Big Game date been an issue in previous seasons?
Several years ago, when college football moved to a 12-game regular season, the natural date for the Big Game frequently fell on Thanksgiving Weekend. To avoid that conflict, C.al and Stanf*rd were often able to push the game to early December, such as in 2006 and 2007. In other years, in concert with the rest of the conference, the schools were able to move games around on the schedule and had another contest after the Big Game, which occurred for the three years from 2008-10 when C.al finished the season against Washington. This fall, the Big Game was Nov. 19 with a Thanksgiving Weekend game at Arizona State Nov. 25. Stanf*rd has also had a contest after Big Game six times since 2001, including this year's game vs. Notre Dame Nov. 26.

However, now that the conference has expanded to 12 teams, the Pac-12 Championship Game will be on the first Friday in December or last Friday in November, which limits scheduling options at the end of the year and creates some of the challenges noted above.

[Ferris_Bueller]

Pac-12 just announced the football schedule for next year.

Stanford at Berkeley - OCTOBER 20

Woo-hoo.  Big Game Week will certainly be a lot of fun.

VG

Spin doctoring from another place (http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/...12aae.html)..

Why is the Big Game in October in 2012?
Playing the Big Game at the end of the regular season has been a Bay Area tradition for many, many years, one that fans and everyone within C.al Athletics would like to see continue. However, recent changes in the football landscape have made assembling a Pac-12 schedule more and more challenging.

The schedule for all conference games is decided by a vote of the league's athletic directors. For 2012, three football schedules were presented to the conference ADs for approval - one with the Big Game on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Schedule A with the game on Oct. 20 and Schedule B with the game on Nov. 17. Both C.al and Stanf*rd favored Schedule B and lobbied for its acceptance. While this version kept the Big Game on a more traditional Saturday late in the season, other dates for conference games were significantly impacted.

In line with conference policy, the schedules were put to a vote among the 12 athletic directors, and the majority vote favored schedule A - which slots the Stanford-C.al game on Oct. 20.

The issue is not exclusive to the Big Game, as the scheduling complexity affects all games throughout the Pac-12. Among the factors making an impact are required bye weeks before Thursday-night games (there will be four such games next fall) and the number of available weeks to play a 12-game season between the Labor Day and Thanksgiving weekends.

We do not expect this 2012 scenario to be the norm, but an exception. The 2013 and other future schedules have not yet been approved by the conference, and C.al will do its best to help ensure the Big Game will be scheduled as close to the end of the season as possible.

Why not play the Big Game on Thanksgiving Weekend?
As all C.al fans know, the Big Game is more than just a football game played on a Saturday in the fall. The buildup to the annual contest includes a weeklong list of events - from the Cable Car Rally in San Francisco on Mondays to the Bonfire Rally at the Greek Theatre on Friday nights, not to mention the series of alumni luncheons and dinners, including the Guardsman Luncheon, and the annual Laugh Your Axe Off student comedy show.

To hold the Big Game on Thanksgiving weekend would mean that many of these beloved activities would have to be eliminated because so many of our ticket holders, particularly our students, want to spend time away with their families during this period.

Why hasn't the Big Game date been an issue in previous seasons?
Several years ago, when college football moved to a 12-game regular season, the natural date for the Big Game frequently fell on Thanksgiving Weekend. To avoid that conflict, C.al and Stanf*rd were often able to push the game to early December, such as in 2006 and 2007. In other years, in concert with the rest of the conference, the schools were able to move games around on the schedule and had another contest after the Big Game, which occurred for the three years from 2008-10 when C.al finished the season against Washington. This fall, the Big Game was Nov. 19 with a Thanksgiving Weekend game at Arizona State Nov. 25. Stanf*rd has also had a contest after Big Game six times since 2001, including this year's game vs. Notre Dame Nov. 26.

However, now that the conference has expanded to 12 teams, the Pac-12 Championship Game will be on the first Friday in December or last Friday in November, which limits scheduling options at the end of the year and creates some of the challenges noted above.