Hypothetical BYU scheduling as an independent

[SloanHater]

I will concede that if ESPN gets involved and creates some made for tv October and November games for BYU, things could be better. But I highly doubt that will happen. I just don't see ESPN getting highly involved with BYU and their schedule.

So BCS schools are going to take a break in the middle of their conference schedule to play BYU because the game will be aired on ESPN?

[CJF]

Yes you have and I will give you credit for making me think this way. I never thought going independent was a good thing and when you first posted this about the schedule, I couldn't help but agree with you.

I will concede that if ESPN gets involved and creates some made for tv October and November games for BYU, things could be better. But I highly doubt that will happen. I just don't see ESPN getting highly involved with BYU and their schedule.

[Hot Lunch]

Never underestimate the power of Bristol. They've made Carmelo a legend by creating the elite 12,000-3,000-1,500 club.

That power of Bristol pretty much runs sports. So if they get a crazy idea and run with it you never know what will happen.

[Sizzle]

If you want to see what BYU's schedule will look like as an independent, just take a look at Army and Navy's schedule and you will have a pretty good idea of what to expect. It really isn't an improvement from what they currently have.

I really don't understand the assumption that ESPN will help BYU schedule 4 games a year.

Never underestimate the power of Bristol. They've made Carmelo a legend by creating the elite 12,000-3,000-1,500 club.

[Hot Lunch]

I agree with Bald Bull. I've been saying this for a while.

Yes you have and I will give you credit for making me think this way. I never thought going independent was a good thing and when you first posted this about the schedule, I couldn't help but agree with you.

[CJF]

If you want to see what BYU's schedule will look like as an independent, just take a look at Army and Navy's schedule and you will have a pretty good idea of what to expect. It really isn't an improvement from what they currently have.

I really don't understand the assumption that ESPN will help BYU schedule 4 games a year.

I agree with Bald Bull. I've been saying this for a while.

[Hot Lunch]

If you want to see what BYU's schedule will look like as an independent, just take a look at Army and Navy's schedule and you will have a pretty good idea of what to expect. It really isn't an improvement from what they currently have.

I really don't understand the assumption that ESPN will help BYU schedule 4 games a year.

[statman]

1) Utah
2) Utah State
3) Boise State / TCU (they'd love the rivalry and the $$$ - ESPN could make it happen)
4) UNLV/CSU/Wyoming
5) IAA school
6) Army
7) Navy
8) AFA
9) ND (thank you ESPN)
10) PAC-12 school (thank you ESPN)
11) Big-10 school (thank you ESPN)
12) ACC school (thank you ESPN)

Depending on the randomness of scheduling and how good teams vary from year to year, that's generally a better schedule than BYU has ever played. And with ESPN helping scheduling, it's very doable...

[statman]

that ESPN was talking more money for a 3-5 game annual deal with BYU for more money than BYU gets from the MTN for the entire conference schedule.

BYU got as much for Oklahoma last year as they got from the MWC.

A contract for local rights with KSL is guestimated (by Locke, for what it's worth) to be at least 2 times what BYU is getting from the MWC.

PPV is more money.

Each game on ESPN (probably a Thursday game or two) is more money.

BYU will make A LOT more $$$ as an independent than from the MWC. BYU's been carrying the MWC since its inception. The majority of the TV money has been because BYU was in the league. It's long past time to leave...

[oxcoug]

I'm gaming best-case here on the assumption (obviously unproven and temporarily unprovable) that if BYU goes indy it's in part because the rumored thing with ESPN was real - and the rumor (which I have from some of the most credible rumor mongers in the business) was that ESPN was talking more money for a 3-5 game annual deal with BYU for more money than BYU gets from the MTN for the entire conference schedule.

So let's just say that ESPN partners with BYU for four games a year, and they're likely to be all or nearly all BCS opponents.

Then let's say BYU adds the service academies - entirely feasible. People who think AFA would refuse to do that are being ridiculous. No way they'd say no to the only team that sells out their stadium every time.

Then you add USU and Utah.

At this point you're up to 9 games annually and with a little Hawaii here, a bit of CSU or New Mexico there or whatever - you've got a manageable annual sched.

Obviously - BYU walks out with no deal with ESPN, it's junk swinging in the wind and nothing set for 2011 and announces independence then some of us just might shoot ourselves.

We'll see how it unfolds.