State of the U.

A dozen or so media members were invited to lunch at the University of Utah, this week, by athletics director Dr. Chris Hill.

Hill wanted to update news organizations and answer question about the school’s sports programs. Among the things he said:

— Utah and BYU sell more combined season tickets than the other seven schools in the Mountain West Conference combined.

–The Mountain West has considered expanding to 10 or 12 teams and having a conference championship game in football. Hill didn’t name favorites but acknowledged the most obvious contender for expansion is Boise State.

— The U. ranks 8th or 9th in terms of “institutional support” in the MWC – meaning monies that come from student fees and other university sources. He also said ticket prices are expected to rise in football.

— Yes, Utah would love to be in the Pac-10, though the league isn’t openly shopping for members. “Anyone in our league would go to the Pac-10 if they can,” said Hill.

— Hill isn’t a big fan of the number of bowls out there. He said other than BCS bowls, college teams like Utah either break or lose money. “If we go 6-6, I don’t think you need the reward of a bowl game,” he said.

More on Hill’s thoughts in my next blog.