The Independent Expansion Groundswell

[creekster]

A "scientific" poll was conducted by myself on CB a few weeks ago and I would say that more than 2/3rds were against it.

That's becasue it is the nature of mormons (and especially Utah resident momrons) ot be cautious and conservative in matters such as this. No change is good change.

[jay santos]

On a sports board called CougarUteforum.com

ftr, the "you" in my post was specifically LAUte, not the U.

[Borderline Divine]

Forgive me

ftr, the "you" in my post was specifically LAUte, not the U.

I'm new here

[creekster]

There are NO TV issues. We're MUCH better TV-wise on our own than in the MWC. We made more money in ONE GAME last year than we made from our rest of our season on the MTN. Do 4 or 5 of those games with ESPN a season. Throw in PPV money and money from a local station to broadcast our games within market. Add in Internet access. Add in value to fan base of rebroadcast on BYUTV. And now you're quickly looking at several multiples of our MWC TV revenue (5? 6? 7? More?)

TV is NOT an issue...

AGain, not that I know, but you think there are going to be 4-5 games a year that have has much revenue as the Oklahoma game? I seriously doubt it.

[statman]

Since I didn't notice anyone else addressing this question, I'll answer from my perspective:

Scheduling.

If Holmoe doesn't think he can overcome that issue, he won't be moving forward. Nothing matters if you can't schedule games. My guess is that he knows a helluva lot more about it than you or I or anyone else here. If he's still talking about it, I have to trust he thinks he can do it.

An agreement of some kind with ESPn makes most of the ral concerns in scheduling go away. ESPN will play matchmaker to ensure we get a schedule that's better than what we have now.

We'll have to play other independents and low-rated teams in the heart of our schedule because of the normal conferece schedules. that means 3 or 4 tough games at the start of every season, and 1 or 2 at the end (Utah, plus a late season game) and a bunch of junk (with maybe ND?) in the middle. but that's better than the MWC schedule we now have...

[Top Ute]

Is Independence something the fans and donors and clamoring for? I really don't know, maybe some of you guys can tell me. I think TU is right to the extent that what happened with Utah seems to be breeding a "we have to do something" mentality. I just don't get this otherwise. What is animating it?

My guess is fans and donors are excited about doing something, but also have their reservations about whether or not it could actually work. Many also can't accept that Utah's Pac-10 invite is what is driving all of this, because there's so many uncertainties over what college football will look like in the next 5-10 years, and BYU can't be behind the 8-ball. Again.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Is there any chance that Holmoe is doing all of this as a prank to get back at anyone that ever called him Homo?

[LA Ute]

ftr, the "you" in my post was specifically LAUte, not the U.

Well, fine. The "we" in my statement that "we are intertwined" referred to BYU and Utah, not to you or me. By "you," in this post at least, I refer to Jay Santos.

Personal pronouns are important.

[wally]

Well, fine. The "we" in my statement that "we are intertwined" referred to BYU and Utah, not to you or me. By "you," in this post at least, I refer to Jay Santos.

Personal pronouns are important.

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[creekster]

Is Independence something the fans and donors and clamoring for? I really don't know, maybe some of you guys can tell me. I think TU is right to the extent that what happened with Utah seems to be breeding a "we have to do something" mentality. I just don't get this otherwise. What is animating it?

You are seeing things from a Ute-centric perspective. Think a little more broadly. It isn't in reaction to Utah's move, it is, however, precipitated by Utah's move. Back when Utah announced I posted that I felt like everything had changed. And I think that was accurate. The dynamic of staying the MWC is completely different. BYU now looks at its role on its own. My guess, and this is pure guess, is that Independence (assuming this is the goal, as it might just be prelude to a new conference in the future) has been on the table for some time. I doubt BYU was 'surprised' it didn't get invited to the PAC-10. They expected that. Thus, they have probably been penciling out options for quite a while and with Utah leaving the reasons to stay in the MWC disappeared. I am Not suggesting BYU stayed only because of Utah, but I am saying that Utah being in a different conference changed the landscape so much that this sort of move is now somethign the Church will try.

Here is another thought: I don't see this as very risky in the long run. Here are the possible results over time:

1. it is a big success.

2. it is prelude to an invite to a new conference;

3. It fails and BYU is left with going to the WAC or back to the MWC or to some cobbled together leftover conference from future realignments.

Options one and two are great. Option three is where BYU is NOW, so what is the real downside risk?

[ERCougar]

You are seeing things from a Ute-centric perspective. Think a little more broadly. It isn't in reaction to Utah's move, it is, however, precipitated by Utah's move. Back when Utah announced I posted that I felt like everything had changed. And I think that was accurate. The dynamic of staying the MWC is completely different. BYU now looks at its role on its own. My guess, and this is pure guess, is that Independence (assuming this is the goal, as it might just be prelude to a new conference in the future) has been on the table for some time. I doubt BYU was 'surprised' it didn't get invited to the PAC-10. They expected that. Thus, they have probably been penciling out options for quite a while and with Utah leaving the reasons to stay in the MWC disappeared. I am Not suggesting BYU stayed only because of Utah, but I am saying that Utah being in a different conference changed the landscape so much that this sort of move is now somethign the Church will try.

Here is another thought: I don't see this as very risky in the long run. Here are the possible results over time:

1. it is a big success.

2. it is prelude to an invite to a new conference;

3. It fails and BYU is left with going to the WAC or back to the MWC or to some cobbled together leftover conference from future realignments.

Options one and two are great. Option three is where BYU is NOW, so what is the real downside risk?

Exactly...
Worst case scenario, the MWC welcomes us back with open arms, with us losing out on a hypothetical MWC autobid. We're right where we started.

[Indy Coug]

3. It fails and BYU is left with going to the WAC or back to the MWC or to some cobbled together leftover conference from future realignments.

Options one and two are great. Option three is where BYU is NOW, so what is the real downside risk?

It blows up in our faces, costs us millions of dollars, destroys the significant forward momentum in the program and significantly hampers future prospects that might otherwise have existed.

[Moliere]

My guess is fans and donors are excited about doing something, but also have their reservations about whether or not it could actually work. Many also can't accept that Utah's Pac-10 invite is what is driving all of this, because there's so many uncertainties over what college football will look like in the next 5-10 years, and BYU can't be behind the 8-ball. Again.

Hmmm.....if this post is true (how can anyone not believe oxcoug?) then you are up a tree without a broom

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpost.php?p=405069&postcount=1

[Jarid in Cedar]

Exactly...
Worst case scenario, the MWC welcomes us back with open arms, with us losing out on a hypothetical MWC autobid. We're right where we started.

I will eat my shoe on live CUF feed if the MWC would take you back after leaving

[statman]

And what are those demands?

My guess allowing us to broadcast outside of MTN to make a lot more money, and probably removing any penalty for us leaving on a moment's notice.

TV money and flexibility is why BYU is going this route.