BYU perspective

[ponyinNC]

pretty good post on killerfrogs by BYU fan: notes that this is a temporary move so that BYU can join Big 12 in 2011

http://www.killerfrogs.com/msgboard/index.php?showtopic=119187

Some facts:

- BYU (and Utah and TCU) have been hurt big-time by the lack of exposure the last several years. The mtn. network just plain sucks - I know it and you know it. Yeah, it's been good to have our own channel in some regards, but NOBODY outside of the MWC footprint has access to this. And even within the MWC footprint, the casual non-MWC fan never thinks to flip the the mtn. to see what's playing. The lack of exposure hurts not only national prestige, but it plays directly to recruiting also, which has been a major hurdle for BYU.

- BYU has made less money under the current TV deal than they were making 10 years ago with local priveleges and the 3-4 ESPN/Network deals. For the good of the conference, BYU reluctantly took the mtn. deal, but it has been for less money and less exposure.

- BYU has also made valiant efforts to increase the strength of the MWC by leading a campaign to add additional schools (BSU) that would increase pressure on the BCS and increase national prestige. Every year the schools took a vote, and every year it was shot down 6-3. You know who voted yes? BYU, Utah, TCU. The bottom feeders were 1) content to ride the coat-tails of "The Big 3"; and 2) scared to have a "big 4".

- If what I'm hearing is true, BYU will once again have an ESPN/ABC contract, and will also retain the rights to produce their own games (BYU currently finalized a state-of-the-art broadcasting facility right on campus, and now has the infrastructure and capability to produce sports programming in HD. Money-wise I'm sure it will be a positive move for BYU, otherwise it wouldn't be a consideration. Exposure-wise, it's head-and-shoulders better than the mtn. Will BYU be playing on Tue/Wed nights? But I'm sure BYU (and TCU for that matter) is a much more appealing Saturday game than, say CSU or UNLV.

- BYU will be a member of the WAC in all sports except football. Contractually, they will play 4 WAC teams a year in football, which competitively will be no worse than playing UNLV, UNM, SDSU, Wyoming, CSU. Add in Utah plus 3-4 other "BCS" teams, and the schedule is similar, strength-wise, to what it is currently.

- From everything I'm hearing, this is a temporary move. BYU has grown very cozy with Texas over the past few years and is poised to make a move to the Big12 as soon as some of the dust settles. The BYU/Texas game scheduled for '11 is much more than just a single game, as was the BYU/OU game last year. Leaving the MWC prior to Sept. 1, 2010 allows for BYU to join the Big12 in 2011 without breaching any contracts.



Again - this post is not intended as anything but informitive. I certainly understand BYU's place in the 'big picture', and I realize we aren't Notre Dame . We are a pretty big private school, however, with a decent national following and a lot of assets that some schools don't have. I believe, and I think the administration believes, that BYU deserves better than what we've had recently. Personally, I'd love to elevate the MWC, but I think we've ridden with most of those jackasses long enough to realize they aren't thoroughbreds, and we're tired of trying. That goes for TCU also - you deserve much better than UNM and UNLV.

[NickSMU17]

Sounds good to me....

So close TCU...

However if Big 12 adds BYU, they need to add 1 other team?

[cutter]

interesting.

[ponyinNC]

Sounds good to me....

So close TCU...

However if Big 12 adds BYU, they need to add 1 other team?

AFA

[leopold]

Why does everybody say AFA? I know they have a fine team and school and national appeal, but I just can't see a service academy bringing all that much to a BCS conference - the school just isn't built for it.

Even though they aren't that strong, I could honestly see a Colorado State or even New Mexico bringing more in. But I admit, that may be a stretch.

[ponyinNC]

I would guess built-in fan support/attendance everywhere...but indy has always made more sense to me like other service academies

[RGV Pony]

Why does everybody say AFA? I know they have a fine team and school and national appeal, but I just can't see a service academy bringing all that much to a BCS conference - the school just isn't built for it.

Even though they aren't that strong, I could honestly see a Colorado State or even New Mexico bringing more in. But I admit, that may be a stretch.

To gauge the value, consider what the attendance wouldve been at Ft Worth Bowl (Armed Forces bowl) if it was UNM or CSU instead of AFA vs Houston

[leopold]

Perhaps. But AFA has about 4,000 cadets, CSU has 25,000 students. CSU is only a few thousand smaller than CU and absolutely brings the Denver market. AFA doesn't. I just don't see it.

[Alaric]

Perhaps. But AFA has about 4,000 cadets, CSU has 25,000 students. CSU is only a few thousand smaller than CU and absolutely brings the Denver market. AFA doesn't. I just don't see it.

The service academies draw from their entire branches. Non academy grads don't have the same loyalty as grads but they're more supportive than t-shirt fans and will attend games.

[BRStang]

It's funny how most of the TCU fans over on killerfrogs are bashing BYU as traitors and for leaving them in a lurch. I was glad to see one fan mention how TCU themselves did the same thing to C-USA. In fact, TCU has done it twice now-once to the WAC and once to C-USA.

[NickSMU17]

No BCS team wants air force on their schedule every year....Texas does not want to go 11-0 and then have to prepare for triple option to get to BCS game...

[ponyinNC]

feels more like hostile takeovers rather than collegiate athletics these days. Maybe we need Gordon Gekko as our new AD....

SMU to the SEC...done deal. Greed is good.

[WSGJ]

Colorado State brings the Denver market like UofH brings the Houston market... It's all CU up here.

[CA Mustang]

Colorado State brings the Denver market like UofH brings the Houston market... It's all CU up here.

Funny, when CU joined the Pac-10 some folks claimed the Buffs didn't control the Denver market. So who does lead up there?

[RGV Pony]

Colorado State brings the Denver market like UofH brings the Houston market... It's all CU up here.

Funny, when CU joined the Pac-10 some folks claimed the Buffs didn't control the Denver market. So who does lead up there?

the Broncos and the green party