Colorado Is Invited Into Pac-10 : Colleges: Regents will meet today to consider the offer that has McCartney and others who favor the Big 12 upset.

The University of Colorado is considering an invitation to join the Pacific 10 Conference, a prospect that has infuriated the Buffaloes’ outgoing football coach and at least one member of the newly formed Big 12.

Colorado’s Board of Regents will hold a special briefing today in Boulder to consider the invitation, which was extended 10 days ago after the Pac-10 meetings.

Norwood Robb, a regent from Littleton, Colo., said Wednesday the Pac-10 made a serious offer.

That left Robert Berdahl, University of Texas president, wondering about Colorado’s commitment to the Big 12, which is scheduled to begin operations in 1996. The Big 12 is a formation of Big Eight schools--including Colorado--and four schools from the disintegrating Southwest Conference: Baylor, Texas, Texas A&M; and Texas Tech.

Berdahl said Texas officials asked about the status of Colorado and Missouri before agreeing to join the Big 12. At the time Texas was being courted, the Pac-10 was interested in Colorado, the Big Ten in Missouri.

“The Chancellor (Colorado’s Jim Corbridge, who retired in June) came to Austin to try to persuade us to do this,” Berdahl said. “He assured us there was no possibility of Colorado leaving the extended Big Eight.”

Carl James, the Big Eight commissioner, had no qualms about the invitation.

“I won’t even speculate on (what would happen if Colorado joined (the Pac-10) because I don’t think it’s possible as far as everything I’ve seen, based on their commitment to the Big 12,” he said. “In other words, the fact that somebody invited them to join the Pac-10 doesn’t mean that’s what they’re going to do.”

Coach Bill McCartney, who will retire after Colorado plays Notre Dame in the Jan. 2 Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz., was surprised by the invitation, disclosed Tuesday.

“I don’t see any reason behind it at all,” he said. “I don’t know why anybody would even consider it. As far as I’m concerned, Colorado has committed itself to the Big 12, and that’s all they ought to be talking about.

“I like what Texas did. They made a strong statement. They said they are enthusiastic and committed to what is going on with the Big 12. And to me, that is the perfect response.”

Texas was invited to join the Pac-10 this year but did not want to end its relationships with other Texas institutions. That four of the state’s schools are joining the Big 12 was an important consideration in Texas’ aligning itself with the conference, Berdahl said.

That the Texas legislature came out with solid rhetoric supporting keeping Texas schools together was another.

In an effort to thwart criticism, Colorado officials said the school did not seek the Pac-10’s recent invitation, although the parties almost came to an agreement two years ago.

Still, Colorado President Judith Albino said she owed the Pac-10 “a seriously considered reply.” The school was not given a deadline to respond.

Tom Hansen, Pac-10 commissioner, said the invitation was extended because it became increasingly important to expand as other conferences did.

Hansen said Colorado was targeted because of its strong football program and its strength as a research university.

“Colorado would bring an additional area of influence,” Hansen said. “It has 1.44% of the nation’s TV homes. That’s very attractive.”

It was attractive to the Big 12, too, becoming one of the factors in a $100-million contract with ABC and Prime Network to televise the league’s football and basketball games when it comes into existence in 1996.

One of the forces in the negotiations was Bill Marolt of Colorado, chairman of the Big Eight’s athletic directors.

Hansen also cited growth in the Rocky Mountains as another advantage. But the factors that stopped the school from joining the Pac-10 two years ago have not changed.

Travel expenses, a lack of a full sports program and problems with coverage of night events because of the West Coast time difference are factors that have not been overcome.

McCartney said the Big 12 would be a big boost in recruiting.

“Texas is the place to be, and we’re going to be there once or twice a year with the Big 12 and not with the Pac-10,” he said.

Times staff writer Gene Wojciechowski contributed to this story.