Analyst: Pac-12 shouldn’t worry about CU leaving conference

Colorado football leaving the Pac-12 to re-join the Big 12 is not something the Pac-12 conference should worry about according to Saturday Blitz’ Connor Muldowney — who was responding to Oregon head coach Dan Lanning’s recent comments about not missing CU in the wake of the Buffaloes roaming east to the Big 12.

“While Lanning was a little harsh with this statement, there have really only been two seasons in which the Buffaloes were legit contenders in the conference in over a decade,” Muldowney prefaced before saying, “That’s not great and it doesn’t make programs like Oregon worry about losing them to the Big 12.” Lanning had similarly questioned what the Buffs have won and why anyone should miss them in 2024 when Colorado is back in the Big 12.

“I’m trying to remember what (Colorado) won to effect this conference when they were part of it, I don’t remember,” Lanning said on July 31.

Analyst on Dan Lanning’s Colorado football comments: ‘Not 100% incorrect’

Muldowney didn’t feel that Lanning was necessarily in the wrong for his comments, noting that he could’ve delivered it more tenderly, but likely didn’t in order to have his message heard; and perhaps bring more attention to Oregon in the process.

“Honestly, while this is incredibly harsh and will likely make Colorado fans unhappy, he’s not 100 percent incorrect,” Muldowney prefaced before saying, “Sure, he probably could have worded it a little differently as to not disrespect Colorado, but I’m positive he’s not too worried about that at this point.”

Sure, pre-Coach Prime Colorado football was a bit of a dumpster fire under Karl Dorrell, but Buffaloes basketball has made five March Madness tournaments and has won Pac-12 its first year in the conference. To say CU isn’t an asset to the Big 12 is ignorant, but Lanning was just building excitement for the September 23 matchup between his Ducks and the Buffs.