The Independent Expansion Groundswell

[statman]

It's a short-term gain for BYU to try and build interest within a fanbase that's seeing its rival make a clear upgrade across the board in perception, prestige and finances.

This move would have been done already if it really was the financial and logistical slam-dunk some are making it out to be. It reeks of desperation. If this is BYU's way of countering Utah's move to the Pac-10 and trying to dissuade the 10-15 percent of its current fanbase from jumping ship, it will backfire badly.

Or it is the slam dunk that people say it is.

If BYU could schedule 4 quality games a year, it's schedule would be just as good as any BCS league except the SEC or the Big 12 south. Four quality games a year is probably better than BYU would do in the Big 12 North...

[CJF]

Scheduling the teams I mentioned isn't Notre Dame's schedule. Because of geographic limitations, Army is forced to schedule a bunch of MAC teams.

Out west, BYU could schedule MWC and WAC teams. If someone can point out to me why scheduling Fresno State, Nevada, (insert two of the MWC bodaggets listed below) and Tulsa is somehow worse than scheduling Wyoming, SDSU, Colorado State, New Mexico and UNLV every year, then I'm all ears. I don't think any reasonable person believes that we're all of a sudden going to massively upgrade our schedule. But basically it's a choice between a shitty schedule and shitty money or a shitty schedule and better money. I really doubt the schedule will be shittier if BYU went independent. Boise State and TCU will still be looking for OOC opponents and there's no reason why they wouldn't be on BYU's schedule quite regularly.

If BYU leaves the MWC and joins the WAC for all sports but football, I doubt the MWC schools will schedule BYU. If I'm Thompson, I forbid it. So that leaves the WAC. So basically BYU downgrades to the WAC for the potential of a couple of million more? Pass.

[statman]

I wouldn't be too worried about that. BYU and its governing institution have a pretty clear track record of being very conservative organizations that do not act rashly.

They acted rashly on pushing for the MTN deal. And they paid a steep price. Donations to BYU were down significant'y across the board when people couldn't see BYUs games...

They won't act rashly now. They know better...

[Indy Coug]

Damn, I'm good.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

If BYU leaves the MWC and joins the WAC for all sports but football, I doubt the MWC schools will schedule BYU. If I'm Thompson, I forbid it. So that leaves the WAC. So basically BYU downgrades to the WAC for the potential of a couple of million more? Pass.

Is Thompson forbidding BYU from playing Utah, do you really think he has that kind of power? BYU was playing Hawaii, Nevada and Boise a few short years after leaving the WAC. There also seems to be no shortage of games between WAC and MWC teams in general.

Football rules about 75% of the athletic kingdom. Basketball is about 20%. The remainder make up 5% (from a revenue standpoint, it's probably even more weighted towards football). I do think the WAC in basketball is a downgrade from the MWC, that is a big negative. As for the other sports, I don't think anyone really cares.

I actually think the football schedule would improve, but I don't think it would be a huge improvement. But as for me, I would rather see five different shitty teams in a given year then the same five shitty teams. In any given year, three of those five teams I mentioned are absolutely horrendous- literally Sun Belt Conference quality.

[Indy Coug]

The hyperbole on this board is nearing Cougarboard levels.

[Top Ute]

If BYU leaves the MWC and joins the WAC for all sports but football, I doubt the MWC schools will schedule BYU. If I'm Thompson, I forbid it. So that leaves the WAC. So basically BYU downgrades to the WAC for the potential of a couple of million more? Pass.

One of the few rational points that have been made on the (un)willingness of other conferences (including the MWC) to welcome BYU into their stadiums with open arms. Not playing BYU would be the ultimate payback for a lot of MWC schools, and they don't need BYU on any of their schedules to maintain viable athletic programs.

[Top Ute]

Or it is the slam dunk that people say it is.

If BYU could schedule 4 quality games a year, it's schedule would be just as good as any BCS league except the SEC or the Big 12 south. Four quality games a year is probably better than BYU would do in the Big 12 North...

You lose any credibility on the matter when you suggest BYU, as an independent, could put together a schedule that is better than Nebraska, and two of the three of OU, Texas and Texas A&M. This wild-assed assumption that any MWC school would still schedule BYU, and that teams from East of the Mississippi would come to Provo after Nov. 1 is grounded in what, exactly?

[Color Me Badd Fan]

One of the few rational points that have been made on the (un)willingness of other conferences (including the MWC) to welcome BYU into their stadiums with open arms. Not playing BYU would be the ultimate payback for a lot of MWC schools, and they don't need BYU on any of their schedules to maintain viable athletic programs.

Pure horseshit. Have the WAC teams not played MWC teams on an extremely routine basis since the MWC split off? This point isn't rational at all because the actual scheduling history between MWC and WAC teams suggests the exact opposite. There's absolutely no proof that the individual MWC teams would avoid BYU.

Holmoe to New Mexico AD: "Hey, do you want a one and one with us. Please keep in mind that your team finished around #117 last year and that we'll probably bring about 10-15k fans to your place to watch your shitty team play. Also, just like in the past your fans will probably come in to watch a hated rival. All in all it could be your most profitable game of the year."

New Mexico AD: "Naaah, I'm good. I'm on the horn with North Texas, I'll get back with you."

[Indy Coug]

New Mexico AD: "Naaah, if I'm going to get beat like a drum, I'd rather it be by a BCS team."

Fixed it for you

[beefytee]

Make sure you go vote for Willey Nelson:

http://www.cougarboard.com/noframes/...tml?id=5736901

[jay santos]

Fixed it for you

Now you don't think we can get home and home's with New Mexico types?? Who's the one being hyperbolic about scheduling as independent?

[Jeff Lebowski]

Is Thompson forbidding BYU from playing Utah, do you really think he has that kind of power? BYU was playing Hawaii, Nevada and Boise a few short years after leaving the WAC. There also seems to be no shortage of games between WAC and MWC teams in general.

Football rules about 75% of the athletic kingdom. Basketball is about 20%. The remainder make up 5% (from a revenue standpoint, it's probably even more weighted towards football). I do think the WAC in basketball is a downgrade from the MWC, that is a big negative. As for the other sports, I don't think anyone really cares.

I actually think the football schedule would improve, but I don't think it would be a huge improvement. But as for me, I would rather see five different shitty teams in a given year then the same five shitty teams. In any given year, three of those five teams I mentioned are absolutely horrendous- literally Sun Belt Conference quality.

You are omitting the benefits of competing for a conference championship. We can argue about the magnitude of that benefit, but it shouldn't be ignored.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Pure horseshit. Have the WAC teams not played MWC teams on an extremely routine basis since the MWC split off? This point isn't rational at all because the actual scheduling history between MWC and WAC teams suggests the exact opposite. There's absolutely no proof that the individual MWC teams would avoid BYU.

Holmoe to New Mexico AD: "Hey, do you want a one and one with us. Please keep in mind that your team finished around #117 last year and that we'll probably bring about 10-15k fans to your place to watch your shitty team play. Also, just like in the past your fans will probably come in to watch a hated rival. All in all it could be your most profitable game of the year."

New Mexico AD: "Naaah, I'm good. I'm on the horn with North Texas, I'll get back with you."

Of course they would schedule BYU. If there is one grand, unifying truth to come out of all this it is that money trumps everything.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Fixed it for you

Yes, BCS teams that have finished in the top 25 the past four years straight are just lining up to play in Albuquerque. Don't be a rube. Don't you have some statistics to go dig up to show all of us how impossible it will be for BYU to schedule another one and one with a team ranked around #117? Maybe they'll prove you have the correct position on this just like those stats you mined in favor of Crowton 6-7 years ago.