This is real, folks. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5517305 As a BYU alum, I like the move because the MWC was going nowhere without Utah on board, (sorry TCU) and I like pairing the basketball team with Gonzaga and Saint Mary's. Next up... TCU should seriously join the Big 12.
Yeah, I knew that but what I was asking is what they have to gain by going independent? Notre Dame always has their history and schedule with some pretty good to great teams on it annually. What does BYU have, really?
They just signed a long term TV deal with ESPN to cover all of their home games. In the Mountain West, it was hard as hell to catch their games on TV because they were either on Versus or the Mountain West's own channel, which isn't widely covered.
Plus BYU already has it's own TV network carried by most providers nationwide, and a state of the art broadcasting facility, but the MWC wouldn't allow them any leeway regarding airing games, even after the live event. With their major rival leaving, the conference didn't really give BYU any compelling reasons to stay. Now they have more freedom with their schedule (they already signed a one-and-one with Texas) and they can reach a broader audience.
I've read that it's unlikely that they'll show any games on their own TV network due to its licensing. IIRC, they don't charge cable/satellite providers for the right to carry the network and the license for the channel prevents them from airing commercials. Plus, they just announced that ESPN will air their home games for several years.
Really curious where this leaves U of H, the plan was for BYU to stay in the MWC, add U of H and create a 12 team/championship game conference but now they would have to invite another.
I think it's worth UH being patient and seeing if the Big12(10) decides to get back actually being the Big 12. I'd have them 1st on my list of invites.
At this point i'd agree, a waterdown MWC doesn't helpout much but I can see TCU and U of H being in the big 12(10) down the road.
Okay, lets look it this way. If Utah stayed, BSU wouldn't of been recruited, and they would've still been this close to an AQ. Now Utah leaves and BSU joins, its just a complete wash, as BSU record wise (which the BCS is basing their assessment on) is just as good as Utah. So they would still be in a position to receive an AQ. So they leave that to become the Army/Navy of the West? I'm not really sure about Notre Dame's position. But isn't it true, their viewership on NBC is declining and will most likely not receive the same lucrative deal they have now? Also hasn't it been said if Notre Dame joined the Big 10, they would receive a financial share they couldn't achieve as an independent? I'm just saying this, because going independent you give up a lot for "control". But Notre Dame has tradition, fanbase, and instant credibility (benefit of a doubt) that BYU doesn't have, that makes them viable. I just can't see BYU achieving more then if they stayed with the MWC. Since Utah and BYU seem too always be connected at the hip, with Utah going to the Pac-10, BYU probably wasn't happy with staying with the MWC.
It's one thing to join the WAC, but the WCC? They just threw all their other sports under the bus for football.
WCC is decent in Basketball since there's Gonzaga. And what other sports matter besides football and men's basketball.
As did mine. And I agree. I think this is a SUPER risky move. If they can get decent teams to play them, that's one thing (and of course they'd better not embarrass themselves). But if they can't, this could go quite poorly. All because Utah goes to the Pac-10, and they don't want to look like second-best in the state. Go Utes.
i hope this isnt a inflexible contract that they have to be married to. Hopefully the big 12 north will pick them up.
