BYU going independent

[ACamp1900]

Do you not remember Jim McMahon? Certainly one of the finest athletes to spend time at BYU. He was neither a STUDENT athlete nor a shining example of what it means to be a Mormon. That they allowed him to play four years there is telling.

ESPN Classic - McMahon was a rebel without pause

He was, at one time, a Notre Dame recruit. I don't remember the specifics, but I think he , literally, didn't make the grade at ND. From the perspective of an athletic skill set "we" lost out, but from a character and academic perspective "we" were winners.

sure... and we have a few question marks in the last thirty years also... but that kind of thing is basically as rare there as it is here, or Stanford, and so on... no?

I have a ton of respect for their program... it seems they win ten every freaking year... if they had a bunch of thugs on their team doing that, they'd be featured on CFB Live every other day...

 

[IrishLax]

Ugh, I have nightmares about superconferences. It's gonna be a very sad day when that happens.

As a former non-revenue sport athlete... let me just say that any AD/school president/board of trustees/person in charge who is pro super conferences is both greedy and ignorant.

There is NO WAY that athletes in sports like softball, baseball, soccer, etc. could play a conference schedule with that much travelling and still handle their coursework. Maybe at an LSU or Alabama where you don't even have to show up to class (there is one swimmer I know who transferred from LSU who asked why he transferred said "I got an A in physics" and when given a quizzical look then responded "I didn't even know I was registered for that class. And I'm a swimmer... can you imagine what kind of treatment football players get?") you could... but not a real school.

I know how hard it is travelling in a conference like the Big East (imagine a soccer player travelling from South Bend to South Florida for a Thursday game... yeah...) but they can usually schedule most long travel around holidays and weekends and such. If you had a kid from Washington routinely having to travel to Texas to play games that would be ridiculous. Boston College can be in the ACC because it is the only truly removed destination. Same for South Florida in the Big East.

Mark my words the day you see super conferences of 16+ teams will be the day that college sports officially starts heading towards being semi-pro and not amateur.

On the BYU topic.... Mormon's are awesome. Seriously some of the kindest people in the world (as a whole... there are always exceptions). Who cares if their religion is a little crazy? And the polygamists aren't real Mormons. On top of that, they are ranked in the top 25 at least every other year... and they sure seemed relevant when they were knocking off Oklahoma. If they can be independent, profitable and succeed on the field... why not?

 

[dshans]

sure... and we have a few question marks in the last thirty years also... but that kind of thing is basically as rare there as it is here, or Stanford, and so on... no?

I have a ton of respect for their program... it seems they win ten every freaking year... if they had a bunch of thugs on their team doing that, they'd be featured on CFB Live every other day...

Points well made and well taken. Maybe I'm just still pissed that he shredded the Vikings back in 1985 ... when I actually gave half a shit.

 

[GoingGreen]

The more I read into the BYU going independent thing, the less I think it's going to happen. My guess is BYU will stay in the Mountain West, and then they'll move to 12 teams. Probably adding someone like Houston.

 

[DirtySecret]

Looks like BYU isn't the only one looking for independence..

Hawaii considers leaving WAC for independent status - College Football - Rivals.com

 

[johnnykillz]

Click, Click, Boom!

 

[BGIF]

Sources: BYU to remain in Mountain West

Sources: BYU to remain in Mountain West

Sources: BYU to remain in Mountain West - The Denver Post


Posted: 08/26/2010 01:00:00 AM MDTUpdated: 08/26/2010 01:18:30 AM MDT

Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post

The Mountain West Conference-BYU impasse could be resolved as soon as today, numerous sources said Wednesday, with all indications that the Cougars will remain in the MWC.

The Provo, Utah, school doesn't have many alternatives since the Mountain West pulled the rug from under the Western Athletic Conference by raiding Fresno State and Nevada. BYU was contemplating going to the WAC in all sports except football and becoming an independent in football but playing a handful of WAC opponents.

BYU has made no secret it wants greater freedom to broadcast its games over its network, BYU-TV. Unlike the proposed University of Texas network, BYU-TV isn't a cash cow but a vehicle for spreading the Mormon faith.

The pending announcement would keep the issue from spilling into next week's season opener when BYU hosts Washington, coached by BYU favorite son, former Cougars quarterback Steve Sarkisian.

Also, if BYU stays with the MWC, pushing membership to 11, the next debate will be whether to further expand to 12 members, split into divisions and have a football championship game.

 

[Maddog77]

Someone forgot to tell BYU that they aren't ND.

Source: BYU to leave Mountain West Conference, join West Coast Conference in all sports except football - ESPN

Brigham Young University will leave the Mountain West Conference for the 2011-12 season, become independent in football and join the West Coast Conference in all other sports, notably men's basketball, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com.

BYU and the WCC will make a combined announcement later Tuesday.

BYU had originally agreed to go to the Western Athletic Conference in all sports and go independent in football before the MWC squelched the move by inviting WAC members Fresno State and Nevada two weeks ago.

BYU had until Wednesday to notify the MWC if it was going to leave for the 2011-12 season.

I think BYU is making a huge mistake. I've heard people say that they have a huge following because they are a faith based college. Are the majority of ND's fans ND fans because they're Catholic? No. I think this could blow up in their face and they'll be begging the MWC to take them back in a couple of years.

 

[IrishLax]

Someone forgot to tell BYU that they aren't ND.

Source: BYU to leave Mountain West Conference, join West Coast Conference in all sports except football - ESPN



I think BYU is making a huge mistake. I've heard people say that they have a huge following because they are a faith based college. Are the majority of ND's fans ND fans because they're Catholic? No. I think this could blow up in their face and they'll be begging the MWC to take them back in a couple of years.

It will hardly blow up in their faces. When you're not playing in a BCS conference you don't have much to lose except maybe a bowl bid to a crappy bowl. The trick will be if they can schedule enough quality opponents. If they can, expect them to earn just as much if not more money as an independent.

 

[Maddog77]

Someone forgot to tell BYU that they aren't ND.



It will hardly blow up in their faces. When you're not playing in a BCS conference you don't have much to lose except maybe a bowl bid to a crappy bowl. The trick will be if they can schedule enough quality opponents. If they can, expect them to earn just as much if not more money as an independent.

Ok, but if money is the ultimate goal then maybe in the short term it looks good, but if the MWC earns a BCS bid and BYU is on the outside looking in come BCS time, they're going to look pretty dumb. I agree that money plays a huge factor here, but I think in the long term they're not helping themselves.

 

[IrishLax]

Ok, but if money is the ultimate goal then maybe in the short term it looks good, but if the MWC earns a BCS bid and BYU is on the outside looking in come BCS time, they're going to look pretty dumb. I agree that money plays a huge factor here, but I think in the long term they're not helping themselves.

Agreed on that. If the MWC gets a BCS birth they will look pretty silly. Although, it might be a self-fulfilling prophecy now that BYU has left that they won't. With Boise, TCU, Utah and BYU that would've been four solid teams. Now it is only TCU and Boise. I guarantee if Utah didn't leave for the PAC10 BYU would have stayed put.

 

[GoingGreen]

There goes an automatic BCS Berth for the Mountain West.

And, possibly a series with the Cougars in the future?

 

[BGIF]

Someone forgot to tell BYU that they aren't ND.

...

I think BYU is making a huge mistake. I've heard people say that they have a huge following because they are a faith based college. Are the majority of ND's fans ND fans because they're Catholic? No. I think this could blow up in their face and they'll be begging the MWC to take them back in a couple of years.

A couple of day ago I googled the USA Mormon population curious about the potential TV market. According to what I found there are about 6.3 million US Mormons. I found a report that statistically the average Mormon family has slightly under 4 kids. That translates to about 1 million TV sets. I don't know if they'll get 100% viewing but I suppose there are non Mormons in Utah that would tune in. And some sports junkies around the country would probably tune in BYU over somebody rather that watching Wake Forest and Furman.

I believe the Mormon Church has a Satellite feed like Sister Angelica's Eternal Word Network so they could carry their own feed. They don't need the money from an ESPN who might pick up some games so they could go their own way. But they won't likely pick up additional viewers that way.

They're a small TV market and a highly concentrated market.

I'm also curious if those they broke away from will still maintain them on the schedule. If the WAC and WMC don't accomodate them, they'd have to become the new Rockne Ramblers playing anyone anywhere. Could they put together enough home and home series with the big dawgs or just do "buy outs"?

Utah could keep them on their schedule as a good OOC opponent unless the Pac 10 says "dummy down you schedule like the SEC does, we've got bowl slots to fill and your schedule got tougher already adding a slate of Pac 10 opponents".

As far as the West Coast Conference for their other sports, Basketball would still be NCAA Div 1, are the remainging sports at that level? I know little about the WCC other than looking at the team roster on their website today.

 

[mgriff]

BYU football will benefit from this move. They can schedule their own games and they have a devoted enough following to make the television deal work. The problem with the MWC TV deal was the fact that the lower tier teams were dragging the viewers down, to the detriment of BYU, who would carry that aspect of the deal. BYU had to split their money with all the other teams from the TV deal, they can now keep all of the money they make, which will most likely be a bit more. As for bowl tie ins, they had to split all of that money with the rest of the conference if they made the bowl, but they got extra money from TCU/Utah. Now there is the potential for this to go bad, it hinges on BYU staying competitive and being able to put together a schedule, but I think they'll be fine, so long as that schedule falls into place. Basketball will at least be alright with Gonzaga and St. Mary's.

I also wouldn't mind starting a series with the Cougars, especially if Michigan does indeed back out of our deal because they will want to use their OOC schedule to get wins--read 1AA.(App St.! HA!) While it wouldn't initially get the reviews of a Michigan v ND game, it could work out well with the Catholics v Mormons angle, and they have a devoted following which will sell out their stadium. Call me crazy but I think their fan base would love the religious match-up. It won't have the glitz and glamor of UM/ND, but a few good games between the two schools and folks will start to get excited about it. In any event, it gives us a solid opponent on a yearly basis, with the potential to morph into a big Catholic v Mormon rivalry.

 

[phgreek]

BYU football will benefit from this move. They can schedule their own games and they have a devoted enough following to make the television deal work. The problem with the MWC TV deal was the fact that the lower tier teams were dragging the viewers down, to the detriment of BYU, who would carry that aspect of the deal. BYU had to split their money with all the other teams from the TV deal, they can now keep all of the money they make, which will most likely be a bit more. As for bowl tie ins, they had to split all of that money with the rest of the conference if they made the bowl, but they got extra money from TCU/Utah. Now there is the potential for this to go bad, it hinges on BYU staying competitive and being able to put together a schedule, but I think they'll be fine, so long as that schedule falls into place. Basketball will at least be alright with Gonzaga and St. Mary's.

I also wouldn't mind starting a series with the Cougars, especially if Michigan does indeed back out of our deal because they will want to use their OOC schedule to get wins--read 1AA.(App St.! HA!) While it wouldn't initially get the reviews of a Michigan v ND game, it could work out well with the Catholics v Mormons angle, and they have a devoted following which will sell out their stadium. Call me crazy but I think their fan base would love the religious match-up. It won't have the glitz and glamor of UM/ND, but a few good games between the two schools and folks will start to get excited about it. In any event, it gives us a solid opponent on a yearly basis, with the potential to morph into a big Catholic v Mormon rivalry.

ND would be back in Utah regularly...and the 45 minute drive to Lavell edwads stadium is easier than the flight and drive to South Bend...

...but yea all that spot on objective shtuff you said that isn't about me...I agree

 

[phgreek]

Utah could keep them on their schedule as a good OOC opponent unless the Pac 10 says "dummy down you schedule like the SEC does, we've got bowl slots to fill and your schedule got tougher already adding a slate of Pac 10 opponents".

...man there would be rioting in the streets if Utah and BYU didn't play...well ok it is Utah...there would be harsh editorials written...

Seriously, that game is part of the fiber of Utah...not sure the PAC 10 would even approach it...

on a side note...I am a little sad to see Utah go to the Pac 10...previously I could watch the disaster that is Pac 10 officiating from afar...now I gotta hear neighbors snivel about it, and see the bewildered disbelief on their faces...as if it were a new concept...GREAT!

 

[IrishSLC]

Utah and BYU already committed to keeping the rivalry going. They will play.. and I'm with PhGreek, BYU - ND Series.. would give me a great chance to watch the Irish every other year.

 

[edgesofsanity]

ESPN put up a short squib on the discussion. One note of interest:

Speaking of the BCS, BYU knows it is not guaranteed to get the special status Notre Dame gets when it comes to those bowl berths. The BCS Board of Directors is set to meet next month to discuss what to do about BYU. This move does not seem to be one that will position the Cougars to make a consistent run as a football power.

Seems if they're already counting themselves out of BCS special status it's more just a position play for joining the Big12 when Texas leaves...

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

This is ballsy as hell by BYU. It could completely blow up in their face and destroy their athletic program or else it could give them a seat in the Pac-16.

I'm not so sure they made the right move, but I do see why they made it.