Big News Out of BYU??

[r_u_s_t_b_u_c_k_e_t]

A decent post with a few things I agree with, and something that I do not. I do agree that both fan bases are a bit nervous about how their teams will perform now. Like you, I'm not too concerned about my team. Utah is set up to have a 3rd year starter at QB going into their 1st year in the Pac10, along with a good compliment of returning starters on both sides of the ball. Couple that with the fact that USC will still be in the middle of all their sanctions, and I think it's the best 1st year scenario you can hope for if you're a Ute fan. Where I disagree with you- and I guess I actually have to go back to your post previous to the one I quoted, is that I wonder if it really is the best time to be a BYU fan.

I have no doubt that whether they be in the MWC or Independent, you're going to see BYU field a team comparable to the quality that they usually give you as a BYU fan. However, I think anybody- BYU fans included, would be delusional if they didn't accept the fact that going independent seriously muddles BYU's chances at getting to BCS bowl games, and while I have actually defended BYU a little in this thread when it comes to scheduling, I think it's still fair to be concerned about how this team is going to be able to generate big time, high interest games in late October and November on a yearly basis.

I'm sure BYU can schedule at least 4 really "big" games per season, but for example, if BYU is playing: Utah, Texas, Clemson, and Texas Tech, there's a better than average chance that those games are going to have to happen within the first 5 weeks of the season. It's a tall order to ask BYU to play such a top heavy schedule each and every year. You almost assure yourself no chance at an unbeaten season, and thus, no BCS. Not only that, but it also has to be a concern that the 2nd half of your schedule is going to be pretty watered down, meaning that BYU would have a hard time rebounding in the rankings should they lose 1, 2, or even 3 of their first few games.

Some small-minded idiots will dismiss these questions as "hating", but notice I'm not taking shots at BYU or making insults. I'm actually posing what I think are some pretty valid questions that I would have if I were a BYU fan.

according to the trib, they already have a 6-game deal in place with Notre Dame. presumably, both army and navy will be happy to play the Y. it turns out the Navy coach is LDS.

the trib is also reporting that ALL byu home games will be broadcast by ESPN for the next EIGHT years.

how are they not better off with this new arrangement than they were under the MWC regime?

 

[Chad Feldheimer]

BYU got a great deal from ESPN. Add in the fact all their home games will be on ESPN, 6 year deal with Notre Dame, 2 year deal with Texas, any team would have been stupid not to do that.

 

[Chad Feldheimer]

Does this mean all their road games are on BYUtv?

 

[calijazz]

Well, why the WAC commissioner is forcing Fresno and Nevada to stay in the WAC until 2012 is clear to me now: BYU has an agreement to be playing several WAC teams in football for 2011 (and 2012 apparently). My guess is Fresno and/or Nevada will be games for BYU in 2011.

https://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5517305

EDIT: My guess was apparently wrong.

With BYU declaring that it will be an independent in the sport of football effective with the 2011 season, five WAC teams – Hawai‘i, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State and San Jose State – will provide the Cougars with five games in the 2011 season and four games in the 2012 season.

https://www.wacsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10100&ATCLID=204986317

I guess he's just doing it to stick it to the schools that screwed them out of getting BYU.

New Mexico State? La Tech? SJSU? Idaho? Ouch. Not to mention that doesn't include Utah St. (which already has an existing contract w/ BYU). I certainly hope the schedule becomes better for BYU in the coming years (I say this as a casual supporter of BYU, not Utah fan). Notre Dame and Texas might look nice, but that WAC schedule looks pretty ugly.

 

[r_u_s_t_b_u_c_k_e_t]

Does this mean all their road games are on BYUtv?

the home team controls the TV rights to the games, right? so, to answer your question: i don't know.

 

[r_u_s_t_b_u_c_k_e_t]

okay, here is a downside to BYU's independence: Wyoming is refusing to play the Cougars.

"I don't have any desire to play BYU," Burman said Tuesday evening after the MWC and WCC confirmed the move.

https://trib.com/sports/college/article_b7280547-dbd5-5c1f-b800-b24596a69808.html

LOL

 

[Chad Feldheimer]

okay, here is a downside to BYU's independence: Wyoming is refusing to play the Cougars.



LOL

The annual *** kicking of the Cowpokes.... big loss. I'm sure BYU factored that in heavily.

 

[r_u_s_t_b_u_c_k_e_t]

New Mexico State? La Tech? SJSU? Idaho? Ouch. Not to mention that doesn't include Utah St. (which already has an existing contract w/ BYU). I certainly hope the schedule becomes better for BYU in the coming years (I say this as a casual supporter of BYU, not Utah fan). Notre Dame and Texas might look nice, but that WAC schedule looks pretty ugly.

how is that any different than Wyoming, CSU, New Mexico, UNLV, and San Diego State every year?

 

[Chad Feldheimer]

how is that any different than Wyoming, CSU, New Mexico, UNLV, and San Diego State every year?

Every major team schedules cream puff games. BYU is not obligated to 5 of them anymore. ESPN won't show their games is they are playing NMSU or someone else horrible, factor in the ESPN appeal they should be able to get decent opponents.

 

[fatchipper]

lol at colton. Was a douche.

jazzman and salty bring up very solid issues, yet they're "haters". Colton can't think of anything intelligent to say so he resorts to the "My dad can kick your dad's ***" reply.

 

[fatchipper]

My take on this...I think BYU did the right thing. You have to believe that there's some "wink, wink" deal between BYU and the Big 12, and possibly TCU as well. I think this might be what Patterson was talking about. The way is see it...BYU loads up on money while they're in a waiting period before joining the Big 12. Honestly...the notion that BYU has a harder road to a BCS game now is a moot point. BYU wasn't going to a BCS bowl game in the MWC within the next 2-3 years anyway so they might as well take the bigger paycheck before joining the Big 12.

 

[7StraightIsGreat]

according to the trib, they already have a 6-game deal in place with Notre Dame. presumably, both army and navy will be happy to play the Y. it turns out the Navy coach is LDS.

the trib is also reporting that ALL byu home games will be broadcast by ESPN for the next EIGHT years.

how are they not better off with this new arrangement than they were under the MWC regime?

The MWC TV deal was awful, and I'm certainly not saying they're not better off staying in the MWC. What I'm saying is that the MWC provided a clearer path to the BCS- escpecially if BYU stayed and they added Houston to get to 12 teams. Financially, they're easily better off, but as far as being in the thick of the BCS, they are not.

The Notre Dame thing is big, especially because they can play them later in the year. However, I'd still be willing to bet the overall strenght of their 2nd half schedules is going to be very, very weak. I think that's a problem for BYU because that means most of their "big" games are going to be played back-to-back early in the season. That's not good if you're a Cougar fan.