The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[BlueHair]

the problem is we have scheduled what, one 1 and 1 series with a BCS program (a 2 and 2 in this case). Ole miss=1 and done ND=2 for 1 Texas=2 for 1 We have some WAC and Hawaii and utah state. We will need to get a lot more 1 for 1s with BCS programs to make a decent schedule.

The schedules will get better. This year we had to take whatever we could get.

Let's face it, we're not getting home and homes with Ohio State or Michigan, be we could with Iowa, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan State. There's not a team in the Pac 10 that we couldn't get a home and home with. With the exception of Texas and maybe Oklahoma, we could get a home and home with all the Big 12 schools. There are only a select few teams we will give a 2 for 1. We've turned down a 2 for 1 with Nebraska in the past.

[LiveCoug]

Please don't get comfy with long term independence, BYU. Please.

[shoganai]

I have heard they are really warming up to the idea of setting their own schedule, traveling the country, forging new friendships with universities they haven't been able to play, and really using the football team as a missionary tool. The biggest fear going in was scheduling, but Holmoe has been surprised with how easy of a time he is having lining up opponents. Who knows for sure what will happen if/when an invitation comes, but BYU is comfortable if that invitation doesn't come. If the invitation comes this year, I think they jump on it. All bets are off if we get a couple of seasons under our belt as an independent.

I can confirm most of this.

Bronco and others have fallen in love with the idea of playing teams from coast-to-coast and corner-to-corner of the country ever year. And, there is a growing feeling on the BOT that BYU will never find a conference that fits as well as no conference at all does.

That being said, I think it all comes down to BCS access. If Cecil and Holmoe can pull some strings and get a reasonable qualification deal from the BCS, I think BYU would be very tempted to stay independent regardless of what invites come. If not, they'll probably end up in the Big 12 before too long.

[TripletDaddy]

I can confirm most of this.

Bronco and others have fallen in love with the idea of playing teams from coast-to-coast and corner-to-corner of the country ever year. And, there is a growing feeling on the BOT that BYU will never find a conference that fits as well as no conference at all does.

That being said, I think it all comes down to BCS access. If Cecil and Holmoe can pull some strings and get a reasonable qualification deal from the BCS, I think BYU would be very tempted to stay independent regardless of what invites come. If not, they'll probably end up in the Big 12 before too long.

Again, how can they fall in love with it? They haven't done it yet. Let's see how much love Bronco is feeling when he is actually flying all over the country. Right now, it looks fun on paper. How will it affect the team when they actually have to do it?

[LA Ute]

I can confirm most of this.

Bronco and others have fallen in love with the idea of playing teams from coast-to-coast and corner-to-corner of the country ever year. And, there is a growing feeling on the BOT that BYU will never find a conference that fits as well as no conference at all does.

That being said, I think it all comes down to BCS access. If Cecil and Holmoe can pull some strings and get a reasonable qualification deal from the BCS, I think BYU would be very tempted to stay independent regardless of what invites come. If not, they'll probably end up in the Big 12 before too long.

Not that you guys care about what a Ute fan thinks, but I think this makes tons of sense. If BYU can get the right financial deal and fair BCS access, then BYU can be free to be BYU (for example, not have to worry about convincing any conference to accommodate it on Sunday play), and will not be tied to a (low-visibility) geographic area.

[Hot Lunch]

Again, how can they fall in love with it? They haven't done it yet. Let's see how much love Bronco is feeling when he is actually flying all over the country. Right now, it looks fun on paper. How will it affect the team when they actually have to do it?

I think the biggest unknown is how will it affect recruiting. That is the one thing that nobody really understands yet.

[Surfah]

Not that you guys care about what a Ute fan thinks, but I think this makes tons of sense. If BYU can get the right financial deal and fair BCS access, then BYU can be free to be BYU (for example, not have to worry about convincing any conference to accommodate it on Sunday play), and will not be tied to a (low-visibility) geographic area.

I actually agree. Really I wish our other sports could land in a better situation. If they were in the MWC even I'd be happy about that. But really all I care about is BCS access as long as that is the college football way. If BYU had a ND type deal I really wouldn't be bothered much if they stayed independent, particularly with the schedules they're obtaining now.

[Hot Lunch]

I actually agree. Really I wish our other sports could land in a better situation. If they were in the MWC even I'd be happy about that. But really all I care about is BCS access as long as that is the college football way. If BYU had a ND type deal I really wouldn't be bothered much if they stayed independent, particularly with the schedules they're obtaining now.

Let's be honest, when you say other sports you really are just saying Men's Basketball. Those are the only two sports fans really care about.

[TripletDaddy]

I think the biggest unknown is how will it affect recruiting. That is the one thing that nobody really understands yet.

One thing I learned about the SanCtions is that by and large, players are concerned with NFL access, not necessarily bowl game access. Only 4 players left SC, all of them buried on the depth chart and not likely to see much PT, all of them non-factors at their current new schools. When asked why he didnt transfer, Barkley explained that while he will miss a couple of bowl games, he still feels that SC is still a powerful NFL pipeline and so his ultimate goal has not been compromised.

I wonder how much of this will be true for BYU. I dont see BYU competing for national titles, but if they can stay on national TV regularly and play interesting teams around the country, I think they have a fairly compelling recruiting pitch for athletes that want to have a shot at the next level. They might not get to play in the Rose Bowl, but they will get to play all over the country throughout the season. And reps are made mostly during the regular season. In other words, I don't think they are in any worse a position by leaving the MWC. In fact, I think they are clearly in a better position than had they remained in the current iteration of the MWC.

[Surfah]

Let's be honest, when you say other sports you really are just saying Men's Basketball. Those are the only two sports fans really care about.

To a degree yes. I also care a lot about MVB but they're in the MPSF. But I do take pride in BYU being well rounded athletically and showing well in things like the Sears Cup. And I mean that. Though really it should be renamed Stanford is better than you every sport that doesn't generate revenue cup.

[Hot Lunch]

One thing I learned about the SanCtions is that by and large, players are concerned with NFL access, not necessarily bowl game access. Only 4 players left SC, all of them buried on the depth chart and not likely to see much PT, all of them non-factors at their current new schools. When asked why he didnt transfer, Barkley explained that while he will miss a couple of bowl games, he still feels that SC is still a powerful NFL pipeline and so his ultimate goal has not been compromised.

I wonder how much of this will be true for BYU. I dont see BYU competing for national titles, but if they can stay on national TV regularly and play interesting teams around the country, I think they have a fairly compelling recruiting pitch for athletes that want to have a shot at the next level. They might not get to play in the Rose Bowl, but they will get to play all over the country throughout the season. And reps are made mostly during the regular season. In other words, I don't think they are in any worse a position by leaving the MWC. In fact, I think they are clearly in a better position than had they remained in the current iteration of the MWC.

Every kid wants a shot at the NFL. It is what kids dream about even if it is a long shot. If BYU coaches can point out to recent players making it to the NFL i.e. Austin Collie, Dennis Pitta and Max Hall to name a few then it will really help them with recruiting. Combine that with playing on ESPN many times during the year against interesting opponents and they could have a great pitch.

The biggest thing is getting the athletes though and telling 17 year old kids that aren't LDS and have hormones that are out of control that during college, if they get caught playing with boobies they might be missing some games. I think to compete at a high level and stay relevant, BYU has to land a few more non-LDS athletes that play WR, DB and at times LB. With BYU scheduling some big games every year that have much better talent than the teams they are playing against right now, they need to step it up in recruiting this types of kids and keep them at BYU.

[LiveCoug]

If I knew that BYU could schedule 7 BCS games (3 high level, 2 mid level and 2 low level) a year (some 2 fer 1's but MOST home and home), 2 mid to high non AQ and 3 mid to low AQ every year, a nice bowl tie in (not Vegas. Holiday or better) and ND BCS type access, I would be fine with long term independence.

I really don't see that happening, so, please no long term independence! Come on Big 12!

[MarkGrace]

The biggest thing is getting the athletes though and telling 17 year old kids that aren't LDS and have hormones that are out of control that during college, if they get caught playing with boobies they might be missing some games.

Oh come on, you can get away with a little tune in tokyo. And don't forget, oral is moral. But don't get caught playing just the tip, that's when you get in trouble. This needs to be outlined for the players so they have a better understanding of what they can and can't do.

[Hot Lunch]

Oh come on, you can get away with a little tune in tokyo. And don't forget, oral is moral. But don't get caught playing just the tip, that's when you get in trouble. This needs to be outlined for the players so they have a better understanding of what they can and can't do.

LOL very true. The thing is, these guys want to be playing "just the tip". Let's be honest, every kid coming out of High School wants to be playing "just the tip". It is natural. The way were made.

[Coach McGuirk]

Why is everyone down on Vegas bowl? I think if BYU got in their to play the winner of the MWC or even 4th place pac 10 now that they have 12 teams, that would be a good bowl. Of course, I like going to Vegas.

Is it just the timing?