As of 20 minutes ago, the Pac-12 Network is live and on the air. The question is: Can you, the fan, see it?
Before the Utah Utes kick off the first-ever game on the network against Northern Colorado Bears on Aug. 30, 2012, both Utes backers and fans of the Colorado Buffaloes should tune in for the preview shows. The preview show for both teams will air this Saturday, Aug. 18. The Colorado preview begins at 8 pm MT, with Utah following at 10:30 p.m. MT.
The network will also show a series of "Football Classics," beginning with the 2009 double-overtime thriller between the Oregon Ducks and Arizona Wildcats, which airs Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. MT. The classic slated for Colorado fans is the 1991 Orange Bowl victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, while Utah fans will see the game against the TCU Horned Frogs from the Utes' magical 2008 season.
Colorado fans are new to this, but the stress of cable-network availability is a resurfacing nightmare for Utah fans, who experienced the "call your cable provider" movement of the now-defunct The Mtn. So far, Comcast is the biggest fish to sign on, while fans are still waiting for other providers to say yes.
But take courage, Buffaloes and Utes. If you haven't used this tool, the newly-relaunched Pac-12.com has a Channel Finder to see which providers in your area have you covered.