The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[calicoug]

Sure, since it's shifting away from BYU. I bet Texas A&M and Utah's interest in college football isn't doing so poorly these days.

There's undoubtedly some truth to that. Of course, whether Utah and A&M fan satisfaction is increased doesn't feel particularly relevant.

College football is shrinking its fan base, I think. BYU isn't alone in sitting on the outside. Many programs are in that same boat. And even many on the inside have to be wondering if they are next to be on the outside. Look at the Big 12, for example. While it is by far the top pick I would have for BYU's conference, it could also implode leaving programs like KU, K State and Baylor as vagabonds.

The Pac 12 isn't much different. If the Big 12 goes away, it would most likely be to join with the Pac 12, or at least certain Pac 12 schools. What happens with the lower tier Pac 12 schools like Colorado, Arizona, ASU, Utah and WSU? Do they stay in? As things stand now it seems likely, but dynamics are rapidly shifting and always towards more money for big programs. How long until USC gets a wandering eye?

There are a handful of elite programs in college football. They are driving all of the decisions right now. Texas, Ohio State, USC, ND, the SEC, Nebraska, OU, etc. Everyone else is a pawn.

It's exhausting being a pawn.

[The_Douger]

I imagine there are more Notre Dame fans on the north side of Chicago than in Provo, Utah.

No doubt, but we're a better program than NW, so I think we merit as good of a scheduling deal with them.

[Jarid in Cedar]

No doubt, but we're a better program than NW, so I think we merit as good of a scheduling deal with them.

By what measure? I suspect that if byu and nw were to switch places, the outcomes would be very similar

[wapiti]

By what measure? I suspect that if byu and nw were to switch places, the outcomes would be very similar

Football quality. I'm confident that BYU would generally be in the top half of the Big 10. NW can't say that.

[All-American]

Football quality. I'm confident that BYU would generally be in the top half of the Big 10. NW can't say that.

I bet Utah thought it would be in the top half of the PAC 10, too.

[Maximus]

By what measure? I suspect that if byu and nw were to switch places, the outcomes would be very similar

ANy measure that is not hypothetical situations and actual tradition and performance on the field.

[doctorcoug]

I bet Utah thought it would be in the top half of the PAC 10, too.

Really? I doubt that.

via a galaxy s3 far far away

[All-American]

Really? I doubt that.

via a galaxy s3 far far away

Any Utah fans care to admit you didn't think Utah would be in the top half of the new conference?

[smokymountainrain]

Really? I doubt that.

via a galaxy s3 far far away

I'm pretty sure you're wrong there. You really think they thought they would join the PAC and consistently be in the bottom half? You're as delusional as they are for thinking they would be in the top half.

[The_Douger]

I'm pretty sure you're wrong there. You really think they thought they would join the PAC and consistently be in the bottom half? You're as delusional as they are for thinking they would be in the top half.

I thought they'd do better at football then they have done.

The rest of their sports besides gymnastics I thought they'd do poorly.

[smokymountainrain]

I thought they'd do better at football then they have done.

Agreed. I just thought I'd use that post as an opportunity to not only tell dc how wrong he is, but at the same time to take a shot at the utes and their fans.

[The_Douger]

Agreed. I just thought I'd use that post as an opportunity to not only tell dc how wrong he is, but at the same time to take a shot at the utes and their fans.

See, but I'm a BYU fan.

I highly doubt most Utah fans thought they'd go 4-5 in conference the last couple years.

The local media was talking 10-2, 11-1 this year for Utah, which I thought was nothing short of ridiculous.

[smokymountainrain]

See, but I'm a BYU fan.

I highly doubt most Utah fans thought they'd go 4-5 in conference the last couple years.

The local media was talking 10-2, 11-1 this year for Utah, which I thought was nothing short of ridiculous.

I think we're in agreement. I have to think ute fans, coaches, administration, etc, all thought they would at least be in the top half of the conference.

IMO, 10-2 is always realistic in that POS conference. Especially when you don't play Stanford and Oregon.

[doctorcoug]

I'm pretty sure you're wrong there. You really think they thought they would join the PAC and consistently be in the bottom half? You're as delusional as they are for thinking they would be in the top half.

It was about the money. Maybe they thought they could win, so I'm probably wrong. Certainly they considered the prospects of losing seasons. If not, we truly see the value of Hill's doctorate.

via a galaxy s3 far far away

[UtahJazzFan88]

I thought the Utes would be a yearly 7-5 or 8-4 team honestly.