The new Pac-12 is having a thrilling first season of its rebirth, and it's the focal point of college football in Week 11 with ESPN's "College GameDay" visiting Boise State for the first time since 2010 for the showdown between the Broncos and Oregon State.
While the attention will shine on a game with College Football Playoff implications, it will also bring an unusual quirk the league has introduced for football: the flex week.
With just eight football members, Pac-12 teams play just seven league games, unable to play a traditional eight or nine game conference schedule where a team just plays an opponent once. So to grant an eighth conference game like the rest of the sport has at minimum, the Pac-12 introduced the flex week, where teams will
face each other a second time before the conference championship game.
But who faces who remains a mystery − sort of.
What is Pac-12 flex week?
The Pac-12 flex week takes place Week 13 on Saturday, Nov. 28, the final day of the regular season.
For it, teams that have played each other already this season will face off once again, just this time alternating where its played (the visiting team in the first game will be home for the second).
How Pac-12 flex week works
While it sounds like it could create fun rematches, including Boise State vs. Oregon State, there are some restrictions.
All Pac-12 teams are guaranteed four home conference games, and with half the field just hosting three league matchups prior, the home and away teams are already determined. Here is who will be home and away:
Under this model, teams like Boise State and Oregon State can't play each other during flex week because neither is a designated home team.
Pac-12 flex week games, schedule
Before the season began, the Pac-12 released the projected flex week matchups would be:
- Boise State at Utah State
- Texas State at Colorado State
- San Diego State at Fresno State
- Oregon State at Washington State
However, these matchups are not set in stone. The Pac-12 said the games are subject to change, so theoretically, there could be switches "based on the best interest of the league."
"The projected ones are not set at this time, so determinations will be made shortly after the conclusion of (Week 12) games," a Pac-12 spokesperson told USA TODAY Sports.
Pac-12 conference championship game
The Pac-12 conference championship game takes place on Friday, Dec. 4, but the participants are decided before flex week.
The two teams in the Pac-12 title game will be determined based on the standings after Week 12, with the flex week not counting toward making it, but still part of the record.
It's why with a win over Oregon State, Boise State would clinch a spot and home field in the Pac-12 championship game.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pac-12 flex week approaches: How does conference’s new format work?
