In a bittersweet turn of events, the Pac-12 Conference is gearing up to bid farewell to its storied history as it approaches its demise. With the final Pac-12 Championship Game between No. 5 Oregon and No. 3 Washington fast approaching, the conference is set to bring an end to 108 years of tradition and glory. The game will serve as a symbolic Irish wake, filled with celebrations and reminiscing, as the conference moves closer to its extinction.

Friday nights throughout the season have been marked by Pac-12 Network play-by-play veteran Ted Robinson and his crew, who raised a glass of Jameson whiskey to honor the conference's legacy. Recognizing the impending end, they chose to commemorate the occasion with an Irish wake, where memories of the departed were shared, stories were told, and a shot of whiskey was raised to the once-glorious conference.

The demise of the Pac-12 was a series of seismic shocks that unfolded over the past 18 months. News of USC and UCLA's intention to join the Big Ten sparked the initial blow, followed by failed attempts to secure a lucrative television deal to salvage the conference. Subsequently, Colorado's departure for the Big 12 set off a chain reaction, leading Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah to also choose to join the Big Ten or Big 12.

The official end of the Pac-12 is set for July 1, 2024, coinciding with the expiration of the conference's TV contract. However, this week's Pac-12 Championship Game holds particular significance as the conference's flagship football event goes out with a combination of both glory and tragedy. While it is the Pac-12's best football season to date, it is a heartbreaking reminder that it didn't have to be its swan song.

"It just doesn't seem natural, does it?" reflects Tom Hansen, former commissioner of the Pac-12.

As the conference approaches its final days, efforts have been made to ensure a smooth transition for the staff involved. League presidents reportedly approved a retention plan to support the media partners at the Pac-12 Networks, ESPN, and Fox. However, despite these arrangements, the impending demise remains a source of sadness for many.

The Pac-12's inability to secure a conference-saving TV deal, under the leadership of commissioner George Kliavkoff, is viewed as a cascading chain of failures that led to its downfall. The conference's final days are meant to be a dignified farewell, preserving the memories and achievements while acknowledging the challenges faced.

Looking ahead, Cal and Stanford will soon be playing in the ACC, while the Big Ten Network plans to feature a segment on "Big Ten Legend: Pete Carroll." The rivalry between Oregon and Oregon State hangs in the balance, with no immediate plans for its continuation.

As the curtain falls on the Pac-12, there are mixed emotions and questions about what could have been done differently. The conference's extended drought without a College Football Playoff berth, spanning seven years, stands as the longest among the Power Five conferences in the four-team era. However, the Pac-12 fought relentlessly, presenting its case to the Committee through analysts like Yogi Roth, in an effort to secure its place on the national stage.

The Pac-12 has been a defining force in college athletics, nurturing women's sports, producing Olympians, and boasting legendary figures such as Bill Walsh, John Wooden, and Pat Tillman. The imminent dissolution of the conference raises concerns about the future of these achievements and the impact it will have on college athletics, especially on the West Coast.

As the final days of the Pac-12 draw near, it serves as a reminder of the conference's rich history, filled with both triumphs and challenges. While the conference could not be saved, its impact and legacy will forever be remembered.