The Independent Expansion Groundswell

[CJF]

I just want to make a quick point. Nothing has happened today that BYU did not anticipate. Commissioner Thompson did not out-flank BYU. BYU is still a conference member and was not taken by surprise by the Fresno and Nevada invitations. This may turn out to be a bone-headed move on BYU's part, but it won't be because they didn't think this thing through completely. Exposure is what BYU is after. Yes, the extra money is nice, but every move they have made and are yet to make, is driven by exposure and furthering the mission of the school and church. Look how much interest has been generated already, and BYU hasn't even confirmed.

If this is true, and I have no reason to believe that it is not, I'm even more angry about the indy. This is the kind of exposure BYU does not need in anyway. This exposure to the sports world is on par with Mitt getting lit up and then giving a national press conference on the brilliance of the Word of Wisdom. How much more of an arrogant and self serving persona can BYU expose? If this was understood beforehand and the decision was made to go ahead anyway, well, Marriott School of Managment is a complete failure.

[BoylenOver]

My opinion on the "greatest hits" list from this thread:

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...&postcount=367

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...&postcount=413

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...&postcount=514

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...&postcount=645

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...&postcount=679

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...&postcount=682

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...&postcount=711

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...&postcount=716

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...&postcount=746

Great entertainment.

[BoylenOver]

Also, I don't remember where I read it, but Fresno St initiated discussions with the MWC to leave the WAC? That's pretty crazy if true.

[Coach McGuirk]

This poll is certain to cause heads to explode.

ESPN.com Poll Results by State

[DrumNFeather]

Also, I don't remember where I read it, but Fresno St initiated discussions with the MWC to leave the WAC? That's pretty crazy if true.

Pat Hill will play anyone anywhere anytime as a part of any conference. He's bold.

[dabrockster]

This poll is certain to cause heads to explode.

ESPN.com Poll Results by State

One thing that is sort of cool about that poll was where BYU won. Florida, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Ohio, Tenn, etc..

[DrumNFeather]

From ESPN Insider this morning...

We have to hand it to Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson. Much like Pac-10 commish Larry Scott, Thompson made a quick, preemptive strike while rumors circulated, and as a result BYU is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

With the WAC down to six schools following the announced departures of Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada, it seems unlikely that the Cougars will follow through with their plan to go independent in football while stashing their other teams in the WAC. BYU could now decide to find another home for its non-football teams or to stay put in the MWC. It's quite a change for a school that 36 hours ago had all the leverage.

(Interestingly, Thompson said Wednesday night that BYU remained a full, participating member of the MWC and that the vote to add Fresno and Nevada was unanimous, suggesting that the Cougars went along with the plan.)

Should BYU stay put, football independence is off the table. Thompson said the MWC would not make any concessions to keep teams and that its contract does not allow it to farm out football games to other outlets (e.g., BYUtv).

The other possibility is for the school to place its non-football teams in another conference, most likely the West Coast Conference. WCC commissioner Jamie Zaninovich told ESPN.com early Wednesday that the league would be interested in pursuing BYU for all sports except football. He said BYU would fit well with the other church-based institutions in the eight-team league, and that he had reached out to BYU but had not heard back.

A wild card? We told you earlier that folks in Fort Worth believe that the Big 12 could still come calling for TCU. Well, BYU would be the other obvious addition to pair with the Horned Frogs, and it's been reported previously that the league has considered the Cougars. Would this be a good time for Big 12 commish Dan Beebe to pull the trigger? The Salt Lake Tribune says that BYU "would be a strong candidate and likely willing to join."

[UtahDan]

Some eye candy for BYU fans:



I am so jealous, and yet so proud, in a way.

Excuse me sir, but that is the Lord's trailer you are talking about. And He didn't buy it for football broadcasts.

[scottie]

Excuse me sir, but that is the Lord's trailer you are talking about. And He didn't buy it for football broadcasts.

I think Dick Harmon would disagree with you.

[smokymountainrain]

This poll is certain to cause heads to explode.

ESPN.com Poll Results by State

The fact that it was 50/50 in Idaho speaks volumes.

[beefytee]

Just a few comments this morning.

I agree with Boylen that the comedy here has been pure gold. I've been laughing the last few minutes reading it.

I particularly liked statsman's post on how this is a good thing and proceeded to say that they just have to avoid the pitfalls of Notre Dame who was damned if they did (over-scheduled) and damned if they didn't (under-scheduled). That should be really easy for BYU to avoid.

On a serious note, I'm not surprised that BYU voted in favor of UNR and FSU. It doesn't change anything (at least for the better) being the one dissenting vote.

[Jeff Lebowski]

From ESPN Insider this morning...

That was a brilliant move by Thompson. Maybe not checkmate, but took out the queen and put us in check.

Maybe cooler heads will prevail and we can say we were just kidding. Think anybody will buy it?

[Clark Addison]

On a serious note, I'm not surprised that BYU voted in favor of UNR and FSU. It doesn't change anything (at least for the better) being the one dissenting vote.

I was going to make that same point. If they voted "No", it wouldn't change anything, plus they would look even more like the jerks who wanted to destroy the MWC. I wouldn't read too much into it either way.

[Uncle Ted]

That was a brilliant move by Thompson. Maybe not checkmate, but took out the queen and put us in check.

Maybe cooler heads will prevail and we can say we were just kidding. Think anybody will buy it?

What gets me is that both UNR and FSU jumped so quickly on the MWC invite. Did they have a cool $5M burning a hole in their pockets? (Yeah, UNR may not need to pay if the WAC can't find their signed contract.) It seems that this deal had to be on the table for some time and all the members of the MWC had to know about it.

If BYU stays now then the MWC could add someone like Houston to get the 12th team for a conference championship Saturday game.

[jay santos]

This poll is certain to cause heads to explode.

ESPN.com Poll Results by State

All the Big 12 states voted for us. Speaks volumes.