these guys seem to have attached a significant amount of their self worth to the fact that they cover the mighty Pac 10/12. You could see some of the Salt Lake guys become intoxicated with it when the Utes joined the league. They are all experiencing the fear of losing that and losing some of the prestige of their job. A significantly weakened Pac 12 would possibly even reduce the income of some of these guys.
None of that changes past dorkiness. But I still manage to feel for them a little.