USC Football: Pac-12 Network announces early schedule

Oct 16, 2010; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans players run onto the field at the start of the second half of the game against the California Golden Bears at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated California 48-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

In its inaugural year the Pac-12 network will open the 2012 season by airing 15 games over 3 weeks, the network announced Thursday afternoon. Of those 15 games, the Pac-12 Network will air at least one game from each of the 12 teams in the first four weeks. By picking up the Cal at USC game in week 4, they were able to make this possible.

For a network trying to gain national exposure for its conference, that is a great start.

It should be an exciting first year for the Pac-12, as it boasts a variety of compelling story lines that should keep people tuned it. There will be the on going battle for dominance between USC and Oregon, with Stanford trying to remain in the conversation; four new head coaches, including the fabled Rich Rodriguez and controversial Mike Leach, will make their Pac-12 debuts, and one newly renovated stadium that will command oohs and aahs once it is done.

In a statement on Pac12.org, Pac-12 Enterprises President Gary Stevenson spoke about the networks early schedule:

"“We are extremely excited about the upcoming football season and the slate of Pac-12 games that we will feature throughout the season,” Pac-12 Enterprises President Gary Stevenson said. “In the first four weeks, we will have at least one game from all 12 teams, will feature some very intriguing matchups like Oklahoma State at Arizona and Cal at USC, and will televise the home debuts of new coaches Todd Graham at Arizona State and Mike Leach at Washington State. It’s a great start to what we expect to be a very competitive Pac-12 season.”"

The Pac-12 Network will have a 35-game football schedule, with six games being broadcast during the opening week (August 30-September 1). Utah, a team trying to establish a foothold in the conference after a shaky first year, will host the first Pac-12 Network game when Northern Colorado comes to Rice-Eccles Stadium at 5:15 MT on Thursday, August 30. ASU will also kickoff its season on Thursday, against Northern Arizona at7:30 PST, in what should be an exciting opening double-header for the network.

From, the Pac12.org, here’s a look at their TV schedule through the first three weeks:

The official launch date for the Pac-12 Network is August 15. To find out if it will be provided in your area, click here.