BYU Statement on Big XII

[Harry0569]

"There is much speculation right now regarding conference affiliation that seems to change by the hour. Commenting on such conjecture is not productive and creates a distraction for our program. BYU is focused on the opportunities ahead. We are excited about our relationship with ESPN as a football independent and our affiliation with the West Coast Conference. The university will have no further comment."

[Harry0569]

BYU has released a statement in regards to speculation about a possible future in the Big 12 (Hey, I've done some of that!).

"There is much speculation right now regarding conference affiliation that seems to change by the hour. Commenting on such conjecture is not productive and creates a distraction for our program. BYU is focused on the opportunities ahead. We are excited about our relationship with ESPN as a football independent and our affiliation with the West Coast Conference. The university will have no further comment."

Hardly an "unequivocal commitment" to independence, you might say.

It's carefully worded, but if BYU wanted to explicitly rule out a future in the Big 12, it would do it by now. Clearly, it's receptive to the idea, but don't take this as a "Take us! Take us!" statement, either.

BYU isn't SMU.

It's going to be a difficult decision for the program, but ultimately, one it looks like the school is going to entertain

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation

[SMU 86]

A bunch of rhetoric by BYU. Since it is not a no I am sure they are looking closely into it.

[SMULaxer]

I'd entertain it too if I got to keep my TV money and take the conference money...

[GeorgiaMustang]

I'd entertain it too if I got to keep my TV money and take the conference money...

Best of both is always a strong argument. From their standpoint (this is purely speculation), perhaps they expected something like this to come along anyway and were posturing. I'm guessing they weren't expecting this to come as quickly as it came, but I would think they truly prefer a BCS affiliation outside of independence as long as they can keep they network money and have an automatic chance for a big payout each year.

They would be ignorant to think they could carry the independent clout that Notre Dame does, and Notre Dame is living in the past if they think they can play for a title without an affiliation. The SEC has shown that playing "murder's row" makes running the gauntlet a necessity. Plus, Notre Dame no longer has the schedule they historically worked with, and BYU will never get the ridiculous benefit of the doubt that ND gets from the media.