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Pac-12 Conference Drops 9 am Kickoffs For 2019 Season, Will Look At 2020 Option

By Justin Phillips

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 29: A painted "PAC 12" is shown here on the field before the Utah Utes and Washington Huskies football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 29: A painted "PAC 12" is shown here on the field before the Utah Utes and Washington Huskies football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) /
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The Pac-12 Conference moved the concept of 9 am start times for football back to 2020.

Earlier this month, at Pac-12 Media Days, Commissioner Larry Scott announced that he was looking into earlier start times for conference football games. At the time it was being kicked around that there may be 9 am Pacific Time kickoffs and that the Conference of Champions was working with FOX as a partnership.

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While this may have been a good idea for 2019, the decision has been made to push the 9 am option back to the 2020 season. The idea was mixed when speaking to coaches in the Pac-12 Conference, with some who were all for it. Others were not. Oregon Football Head Coach Mario Cristobal was more on the fence with the idea of waking up at 4:30 am to prepare for a 9 am start.

Scott said that participating schools would need to give their support for the option.

I am happy the Pac-12 Conference is not moving forward this season with an early 9 am kickoff. It is not a matter of filling the seats at Autzen Stadium for a game, but more the promotional opportunity that can be built around the concept of having a kickoff at 9 am. It would also mean fans would have their afternoon to spend in the area or to head home, but of course, an earlier arrival would also be required.

Fans of Oregon Football have no issue with being up early for their team and you don’t need to go far to see it. Over the last few seasons, ESPN College Gameday has brought fans to the Memorial Quad on campus for a 6 am Pacific Time start, so an early breakfast tailgate should not be an issue.

Oregon Football opens the 2019 season next Saturday, August 31s vs Auburn in the Advocare Classic. (4:30 pm PT, ABC)

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