Actually Stanford doesn't have a big following in the sport. There is a reason why they downsized the stadium from 80,000 to 50,000. They want to play UCLA, and particularly USC every year because the So Cal schools fill up the stadium. Stanford is a prestigious school, with great overall athletics/academics. A big football following they don't have.
I am glad Utah came aboard, but the cooler suggested really would be a great deal for USC. Sorry not to sound smug, but USC in the same division with Wazzu, OSU, Stanford, ASU, and Utah? I could Coach that team to consistently winning the league 3 out of every 4 years.
That isn't smack talk, just look at the facts.
ASU: Hasn't beaten USC since 1999 when USC was saddled with horrific Coaching.
Stanford: Sure won big last year, but the academic hurdles preclude them from consistently beating USC on the field. Cal can take players of a similar ilk as USC just like UCLA (despite what those liars will say). That puts Stanford at a long term competitive disadvantage.
Oregon St: Done better against USC recently, but still haven't won in LA since 1961. The Beavers have only 10 wins in 73 meetings with USC.
Wazzu: Even worse, hard recruiting local. Cougs have only 8 wins in 68 games all time against USC.
Then newcomer UTAH.
Sorry, but your cooler makes the Division for USC a huge edge, but also it puts the highest profile program in a division with the least marketable teams on a National Level (Wazzu/OSU).
I can see a zipper, but a better suggestion is the following:
Northwest Division:
Washington St, Oregon St, Cal, UofA, UTAH, UCLA
Southewest Division:
UW, USC, Oregon, CU, Stanford, ASU
**You accomplish what you do putting the Cali public schools together North & South with the Cali Private schools in the opposite division.
You keep UW & Oregon together, Stanford USC together as longtime rivalries. You balance the Divisions better this way.