The Independent Expansion Groundswell

[BlueHair]

As unbelievable as it sounds, BYU is seriously contemplating becoming independent. If this happens, will they be given the same respect as Notre Dame in regards to BCS qualification?

[Indy Coug]

As unbelievable as it sounds, BYU is seriously contemplating becoming independent. If this happens, will they be given the same respect as Notre Dame in regards to BCS qualification?

No, no and hell no.


P.S. No

[BlueHair]

No, no and hell no.


P.S. No

Is that a no?

[jay santos]

As unbelievable as it sounds, BYU is seriously contemplating becoming independent. If this happens, will they be given the same respect as Notre Dame in regards to BCS qualification?

I think it would be reasonable to expect the same kind of deal the non-BCS conferences get. We're eligible with a certain ranking and we're automatic with a certain ranking.

I don't get too excited with BCS or bowl issues because I really think they're short lived. I would be surprised if in ten years we're not looking at a system that looks completely different.

[falafel]

What would the non-BCS bowl implications be? How many bowls are there now that don't have automatic tie-ins? I would be concerned that we'd end up playing in Tennessee or Detroit or El Paso without any real predictability.

[BlueHair]

I think it would be reasonable to expect the same kind of deal the non-BCS conferences get. We're eligible with a certain ranking and we're automatic with a certain ranking.

I don't get too excited with BCS or bowl issues because I really think they're short lived. I would be surprised if in ten years we're not looking at a system that looks completely different.

Assuming BYU is independent in football only, I would think they could round up some home and homes pretty easily. They would probably need about 16 teams that they had home and homes with every single year.

[scottie]

What would the benefits of this be compared to remaining in the MWC?

[BlueHair]

What would the benefits of this be compared to remaining in the MWC?

You could schedule the top teams in the MWC to home and homes, then look for home and homes with opponents from other conferences. You wouldn't be stuck playing the bottom tier every year. You could also broadcast your games to Mormons everywhere.

[PolyCougar]

As unbelievable as it sounds, BYU is seriously contemplating becoming independent. If this happens, will they be given the same respect as Notre Dame in regards to BCS qualification?

Oh... the thought of that makes me feel really sick. I pray not. I know it wouldn't be as bad, but I remember Utah States foray into nothingness, and coming out begging for anything. I'm sure BYU would get a better reception nationally, but MWC is a way better option to push for BCS qualification in my mind. I really don't think many respectable teams would want to take a break from their conference schedules in late October to come to Provo and help BYU fill their schedule.

[jay santos]

With the divide the BCS created between BCS and non-BCS, BYU has slowly lost footing with top LDS recruits over the last 15 years. When I say divide, I don't mean revenue divide, because the BCS didn't create that. I mean the divide where a recruit that chooses Oregon over BYU says "I wanted to play for a BCS team". Over the next 20 years, this slow erosion of our top recruits will speed up, as our biggest competitor just moved into the BCS. Something has to be done. I don't know if independence is the answer, but something has to happen or BYU athletics will drop to a top 40ish tier.

[statman]

What would the benefits of this be compared to remaining in the MWC?

Based on two conversations I've had with two different people - LOTS more money. BYU thinks it can get 2-3 times the money for LOCAL TV coverage than it gets from the MWC for TV. And that doesn't count $ for national distribution rights on PPV or single game appearances on ESPN / FoxSports / etc.

the problem is, of course, scheduling. But BYU isn't going to go into it with their eyes closed - like they did into the Moutain deal. They've learned their lesson. Issue #1 is to ensure that there is national distribution of as many gamse as humanly possible (ie all of them). #2 is money. but if you play your cards right and have a product that people like, you can have both 1 & 2 without any problem.

I also think the Indy thing is going to be used as a carrot to the Big XII. we've got to be near the top of their list of AVAILABLE teams. But that list will change dramtically if Arkansas, LSU, Louisville, etc look like they're "available." Until they make a decision, we'll never know exactly where we stand.

So BYU announces they're going Independent, gives notice to the MWC in the legally required time, and tells the Big XII that anytime they're interested, BYU is available. So when the Big XII realizes that they're not going to have a championship game in 2011 (or after they miss the game in 2011 and decide they NEED it in 2012), and decides that they have to invite a couple of teams quickly, BYU will be in the best possible situation to accept an invitation.

Going independent = more money, and more flexibility in timing so that BYU can accept an invite to the Big XII any time they want to offer one...

[BlueHair]

Oh... the thought of that makes me feel really sick. I pray not. I know it wouldn't be as bad, but I remember Utah States foray into nothingness, and coming out begging for anything. I'm sure BYU would get a better reception nationally, but MWC is a way better option to push for BCS qualification in my mind. I really don't think many respectable teams would want to take a break from their conference schedules in late October to come to Provo and help BYU fill their schedule.

You would have to go about it in a very smart way. Certain teams you would schedule every year, well in advance. If you could get 3-4 games from the MWC, 2-4 games from the Pac 12, 2 games from the WAC, and 2-4 games from the Big 12, you would only need a few "filler" games.

[landpoke]

Based on two conversations I've had with two different people - LOTS more money. BYU thinks it can get 2-3 times the money for LOCAL TV coverage than it gets from the MWC for TV. And that doesn't count $ for national distribution rights on PPV or single game appearances on ESPN / FoxSports / etc.

the problem is, of course, scheduling. But BYU isn't going to go into it with their eyes closed - like they did into the Moutain deal. They've learned their lesson. Issue #1 is to ensure that there is national distribution of as many gamse as humanly possible (ie all of them). #2 is money. but if you play your cards right and have a product that people like, you can have both 1 & 2 without any problem.

I also think the Indy thing is going to be used as a carrot to the Big XII. we've got to be near the top of their list of AVAILABLE teams. But that list will change dramtically if Arkansas, LSU, Louisville, etc look like they're "available." Until they make a decision, we'll never know exactly where we stand.

So BYU announces they're going Independent, gives notice to the MWC in the legally required time, and tells the Big XII that anytime they're interested, BYU is available. So when the Big XII realizes that they're not going to have a championship game in 2011 (or after they miss the game in 2011 and decide they NEED it in 2012), and decides that they have to invite a couple of teams quickly, BYU will be in the best possible situation to accept an invitation.

Going independent = more money, and more flexibility in timing so that BYU can accept an invite to the Big XII any time they want to offer one...

So basically BYU's strategy is to be the easy lay?

[BlueHair]

So basically BYU's strategy is to be the easy lay?

Not until we are legally wed!

[statman]

What would the benefits of this be compared to remaining in the MWC?

The MWC isn't going anywhere. With Utah and BSU, MAYBE they get AQ status. Without Utah, not a chance...

Indy = a lot more money than with the MWC.

I've even heard some argue that Indy = more money than with the Big XII. I think that might be true with just TV money off the basic contract, but the Big 12 gets a lot of bowl money each year too. And another $1.5+ million a year per team for rights to their championship game. I'd have to see more data on that to actually concede that point.

I'm not sure what Inpedpendence would do for recruiting. It would all depend upon what kind of schedule BYU could put together. Utah + USU + another throw away home game like Weber State, a few PAC 10 games (they'll fill their stadiums as well as ours - and after going to 12 teams, they'll all now have one more non-conference game to play (4 instead of 3)), a game or two or three with past MWC rivals or BSU. Notre Dame, Army, & Navy whenever you could schedule them. That's not really a bad schedule, and because we draw well in the West, not all that hard to imagine.

If BYU could pull off an Indy schedule like that, with the fact that every game would be televised, I think recruiting would be just fine. Membership in the Big 12 would be better for recruiting though. Regardless of what the money situation looks like (again, Big 12 TV contract isn't great), the long-term health of the program would dictate that you take Big 12 over anything else.