The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[smokymountainrain]

I woke up this morning and realized that from BYU Fan's perspective, this is all for naught. BYU has invested too much in independence and it seems there are too many hurdles to overcome (from BYU's perspective and the Big12's) to make it work.

Super weird comment. TIC, perhaps?

[Applejack]

I woke up this morning and realized that from BYU Fan's perspective, this is all for naught. BYU has invested too much in independence and it seems there are too many hurdles to overcome (from BYU's perspective and the Big12's) to make it work.

I agree.

[YOhio]

I woke up this morning and realized that from BYU Fan's perspective, this is all for naught. BYU has invested too much in independence and it seems there are too many hurdles to overcome (from BYU's perspective and the Big12's) to make it work.

This kind of fatalism is a good synopsis of the BYU fan mentality since the days of Lavell's departure. When Lavell was around we always knew there was a chance, however slight, that the Cougars would pull it out in the end. Sometimes we didn't and sometimes we didn't, but the believe was always there. Since his departure there have been only a few great comebacks and many more games where the fellas have folded when the odds weren't in their favor. Need to get the mojo back and this is a good place to start.

[fusnik]

I wouldn't expand if I was the BIG12.

This scenario only happened because it was Baylor/TCU/OSU in the mix.

If it was Texas or Oklahoma or Kanasas State as a co champ or if it was Illinois or MSU or Northwestern that had just won the CCG no way the committee jumps them.

The NCAA was going to fall prey to the traditional powers in a situation like this.

[Surfah]

I wouldn't expand if I was the BIG12.

This scenario only happened because it was Baylor/TCU/OSU in the mix.

If it was Texas or Oklahoma or Kanasas State as a co champ or if it was Illinois or MSU or Northwestern that had just won the CCG no way the committee jumps them.

The NCAA was going to fall prey to the traditional powers in a situation like this.

Perhaps. But the reality is that there are only a handful of teams that can compete each year for the 4 teams in the playoff. And those are going to be your traditional powers any most years.

I wouldn't call Oregon a traditional power though.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I totally agree that if the Big 12 expands it will be because they are overreacting to an unusual season where all the top teams kept winning. Their current 10-team format with no CCG probably on average will help them more than it will hurt them. Hope they are dumb enough to expand and add BYU anyway though.

With four teams, I see this happening frequently. There are only four slots and five power conferences.

I read an article a few years ago outlining how much extra money Texas earned from merchandising, etc. after winning the national championship with Vince Young. I don't remember the exact figure, but it was astronomical. I think either TCU or Baylor would have had a great shot at winning the whole thing. This was a huge missed opportunity for the league. At every step of the recent power conference reshuffling, the B12 has blundered their way and made poor decisions. I think they are well aware of that too. Will be interesting to see how they respond.

[LiveCoug]

So, the B12 has the ACC on their side for the CCG waiver.. will that be enough to sway others?

[Omaha 680]

So, the B12 has the ACC on their side for the CCG waiver.. will that be enough to sway others?

I saw that and wondered why that would be. Just buddies backing each other?

I am pretty pessimistic we get ultimately included but not down on BYU football in general. Our weirdness uniqueness makes us a longshot for an invite to the Big 12 but also makes us one of the few that could actually dream of Independence working out. There are a lot of issues with it and it may ultimately fail but I think it offers the possibility of staying relevant, even if it is slim.

[All-American]

I saw that and wondered why that would be. Just buddies backing each other?

I am pretty pessimistic we get ultimately included but not down on BYU football in general. Our weirdness uniqueness makes us a longshot for an invite to the Big 12 but also makes us one of the few that could actually dream of Independence working out. There are a lot of issues with it and it may ultimately fail but I think it offers the possibility of staying relevant, even if it is slim.

Most of the big 12's best expansion candidates are acc members.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Most of the big 12's best expansion candidates are acc members.

Ha. That was my first thought.

The B1G just snuck a team in because the B12 does not have a CCG. Why would they vote to let them get a pass? The P12 just added two teams and diluted the amount of money they earn to get a CCG. Why would they allow them to get a pass? The SEC probably foresees a scenario where they could get two teams in due to the B12's lack of a CCG. Why would they vote for it? No way that happens.

[Pelado]

If Big 12 were to expand and look to BYU, all-sports membership could possibly be problematic. Football-only is an idea worth exploring.

All-sports is also worth exploring, Greg. I hope his comment isn't coming from WCC loyalty.

[Omaha 680]

All-sports is also worth exploring, Greg. I hope his comment isn't coming from WCC loyalty.

Absolutely worth exploring. He has to be thinking about complications with Sunday play, which is why I think being a full member would be difficult.

[Green Monstah]

Super weird comment. TIC, perhaps?

Not TIC. If we were coming off several T25 finishes with a head full of steam, maybe. But we're a mediocre football program and have been for the last five years. Furthermore, based on discussions I've previously had with BYU/LDS church insiders, there's a lack of institutional will to get in to the Big 12.

[Uncle Ted]

$200 million for a 36,000 seat stadium? Did I read that wrong?

The average attendance to a CSU game is 18,600. That is about double the seats they need. I guess they are extra nice.


Edit: BSU has a better TV ranking than BYU? Maybe they don't count the games shown on BYUtv.

[Omaha 680]

The average attendance to a CSU game is 18,600. That is about double the seats they need. I guess they are extra nice.


Edit: BSU has a better TV ranking than BYU? Maybe they don't count the games shown on BYUtv.

That has to be last year's numbers because it has BYU at over 61,000. I think CSU attendance is doing significantly better this year but I haven't looked it up.