It turns out that TCU will replace Texas A&M and not BYU. Not really a surprise, except that two weeks ago it seemed that the Big 12 was deadset against anyone from Texas joining. BYU may still get an invite if Missouri leaves or if the Big 12 returns to 12.
TCU was an easy pick.
However, there were some that believed that BYU has turned down an invite from the Big 12. Some others are reporting that BYU has accepted, but that has not come from a reliable source. If this turns out to be the case that BYU rejected a Big 12 offer, it is because people that are closer to the situation that most fans are made the decision that was best for the University and the church they represent.
I have not seen anything official that says that BYU is not going to the Big 12 of that they turned the Big 12 down or that the Big 12 is no longer interested in BYU. TCU was in transition and was an easy school to pick up. BYU is harder to read, but still one of the best choices out there. So relax...
If BYU remains indy, here it seems that the schedule is half full every season. Here is who they will play every season or almost every season...
Every Year
Utah
Utah State
Hawaii
Boise State
Almost every year
Notre Dame
San Jose State
Idaho
New Mexico State
Here is who BYU could play every year in the Big 12 North...remember now that TCU is on board, they will be in the Big 12 south with Oklahoma and Texas.
Every year:
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Missouri
The 12th team invited.
2-3 games every 4 years...
Baylor
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Texas
Texas Christian
Texas Tech
If BYU does join the Big 12, you will likely not see Utah nor Utah State on the football schedule every season. The Hawaii, Boise State and Notre Dame series will be modified.
Now, if you are going to get to the BCS when you have a good team, you need to have a strong schedule. The road to the BCS will be a lot tougher when you are not in a conference. Having the weakest teams of the weakest FBS conference on the schedule every season is giving the BCS a reason to say no. True, Boise State and Utah will help, but being in the north division of the Big 12 will put a good caliber BYU team one game away from the BCS 3 out of every 7 years. As an independent, that opportunity will not come very often.
Also, as an independent, the harder part of the schedule will be in the early season, and the cup cake teams will be in October and November. As a member of the Big 12, the cup cake teams will be early on.
As an independent, BYU will have to run the table to get to the BCS. In the Big 12, an early season loss can be overcome.
Seems the better option is as a member of a BCS conference, and this could be the only chance BYU will get.
5 comments:
I would like for Idaho to have BYU on the schedule often. It appears they are unwilling to come to Moscow, but it would still be good for Idaho since we have a large LDS population. In the old days, before BSU was a four year school, we used to play Utah on a yearly basis. The "home" games for Idaho were played in Boise at Bronco Stadium. While WSU vs. Idaho was the big game for North Idaho Vandal fans, Utah vs. Idaho was the big game for Southern Idaho Vandal fans.
Seriously, where do you get this stuff?
Idaho, New Mexico State and San Jose State are not on the BYU schedule past 2012 and there is no indication they will be on any future schedules, let alone be an "almost every year" opponent.
If you want facts on future BYU schedules, check out a site like FBS schedules.
Joe Cool...I guess as a blogger I am not allowed to speak hypothetically?
There's a chance of Missouri leaving the Big 12 north & the conference adding Big East castoffs. That would be a stable conference & still less risky than independence. But there is a risk of the schedule becoming watered down. Louisville would be fine. Cincinnati may as well be a C-USA team.
I also agree with Joe Cool. AFA could easily become a regular game if they join the Big East. They'll want all of their OOC games to be against regional opponents. Even if that doesn't happen, Boise & Hawaii killed any potential MWC boycott of BYU.
I don't think that you will see the likes of San Diego State or Wyoming on the BYU schedule any time soon. They were the most offended when BYU left. I would not be surprised to see Colorado State, New Mexico or UNLV in the near future. UNLV needs the turnstiles to hum and BYU can do that for them.
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