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Report: Pac-12 expected to delay season start until Sept. 19

Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Pac-12 is expected to schedule a 10-game regular season in which each team faces its division opponents once and plays five crossover games against opponents from the other division, sources told Jon Wilner of the Mercury News.

The Pac-12 announced earlier in July that its football programs will play conference-only schedules this coming season.

Season openers have been tentatively set for Sept. 19, which would have been the third week on the original 2020 calendar, Wilner adds.

The delay would give programs additional time to "ride out the current coronavirus surges," notes Wilner, as teams wouldn't begin training camp until mid-August. The conference has also reportedly developed multiple nine-game schedules in case public health circumstances dictate a more conservative approach to the campaign.

Each team is reportedly expected to have at least two bye weeks this season, creating windows for any contests that can't be played as scheduled.

The Pac-12 championship game in Las Vegas could retain its previously scheduled date of Dec. 4, but it could reportedly be moved to the weekend of Dec. 11-12 or Dec. 18-19 should regular-season games be delayed.

The conference's primary concern with a later date for its title game is the College Football Playoff, reports Wilner. The Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl are scheduled for New Year's Day, but the Pac-12 reportedly wants potential participants to have at least two weeks to prepare.

A number of schedule models received consideration in recent weeks, sources told Wilner. The final version will require the approval of health officials as well as the conference's presidents and chancellors.

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