To get the California schools to agree to expanding to 12, they insisted that all four would play each other every year. That could have been accomplished by putting all four in the same division with maybe the Arizona schools.
But the Northwest schools pitched a fit, saying they need to play in California and in the L.A. area at least every other year. So the compromise was to split the California teams — but still allow them to play every year no matter what. To do that and only have 8 league games, however, doesn’t let the Oregons and Washingtons get to So. Cal as often as they insist. So 9 games are needed to placate everyone.
I hear people blame the league office and the commish for having 8 games instead of 9, but it’s really the fault of the California schools insisting on playing each other EVERY year.
But the Northwest schools pitched a fit, saying they need to play in California and in the L.A. area at least every other year. So the compromise was to split the California teams — but still allow them to play every year no matter what. To do that and only have 8 league games, however, doesn’t let the Oregons and Washingtons get to So. Cal as often as they insist. So 9 games are needed to placate everyone.
I hear people blame the league office and the commish for having 8 games instead of 9, but it’s really the fault of the California schools insisting on playing each other EVERY year.
