After a dismal year, how does the Pac-12 restore national credibility?

(Photo: Patrick Breen/The Republic, Patrick Breen/The Republic)Throughout this week's Pac-12 meetings, coaches and administrators discussed several topics – scheduling, officiating, potential changes to college basketball and other matters big and small.

But an unspoken theme also surfaced at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch: How does the conference restore its credibility?

Put simply, these are not the best of times for the Conference of Champions. In football, the Pac-12 last season posted a 1-8 bowl record, setting a power-conference mark for most bowl losses. In basketball, the conference opened with two programs – Arizona and USC – involved in an FBI…