In 10 months and six days Pac-12 football 2.0 will go live with season openers. Merton Hanks doesn’t have that much time. The chief of Pac-12 football operations must have his renovated house in order long before Sept. 5, 2026.

Hanks is responsible for the conference schedule and the officiating and the championship game and the bowl partnerships and the replay command center and everything else integral to a successful season for the new eight-team conference.

At least, he expects the Pac-12 to be an eight-team conference.

“I’m planning for eight,” he told the Hotline recently.

Eight schools are committed: The two Pac-12 holdovers, Washington State and Oregon State; plus newcomers Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State.

The Pac-12 has e

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