Pac-12 After Dark brings drama, even in the daylight.
Those late West Coast games are here to stay, however, despite criticism that they are a challenge for the league, its teams and the fans.
"We've got eight of what we call special date games, Thursday or Friday night games, every year. Those have been very successful for ESPN or Fox just from a purely ratings perspective. And also you don't have the clutter, or the fragmentation of a lot of multiple games going on," Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said. "So they work well."
Some have long argued the late starts in the Pac-12 mean that East Coast viewers don't necessarily see key games, putting the league's teams and star players at a disadvantage when it comes to poll voting or postseason award consideration.