In my previous blog entries, I have assumed that the four basketball-only members of the WAC, and the three remaining football programs would have to find other conferences, as the WAC may not survive as a basketball conference. I may have been premature in my analysis. Here is why.
First, the only of the remaining WAC programs that is even remotely addressing the issue of leaving at this point is Texas State. If New Mexico State and Idaho only move their football programs to the Sun Belt Conference, the WAC may be able to survive as a basketball conference, and the other non-football and mid-major conferences in the West can breathe a sigh of relief. Here is why.
The West Coast Conference is currently at 10 members. Adding Seattle and Denver would make it 12.
The Big West Conference is currently at 10 members, and 9 of the 10 are in California. Would they want to add New Mexico State and Idaho?
The Sun Belt Conference will be at 10 members for basketball after North Texas and Florida International Leave. Presumably, they are making room for Georgia State and South Alabama as well as Texas State. Would there be room for Idaho and New Mexico State?
The Big Sky Conference is at 11 full-time members, with most programs losing money in basketball. Would they add Idaho and New Mexico state as non-football members?
Perhaps the best solution is for the WAC to keep operating as non-football conference. Here is how that can work out.
New Mexico and Idaho join the Sun Belt Conference as football-only members. Texas State joins for all sports. The Sun Belt Conference, which will be a 9 football members in 2013, could add 3 and have a conference championship game. For basketball, the addition of Texas State would bring the conference to 12, which matches their current membership.
The WAC would need to make a move and immediately add Utah Valley and CS Bakersfield and that would put them at 8 basketball members. They would keep their NCAA automatic bid. It would take the pressure off of other western basketball conferences. No expanded footprints, no additional travel costs and no unbalanced schedules. The WAC has to make their move before someone else jumps ship.
New non-football WAC?
Boise State (Football in Big East)
CS Bakersfield (No Football)
Denver (No Football)
Idaho (Football in Sun Belt)
New Mexico State (Football in Sun Belt)
Seattle (No Football)
UT Arlington (No Football)
Utah Valley (No Football)
5/1/2012 update...
CBS reports that UT Arlington will join the Sun Belt Conference with Texas State. The numbers leave Idaho and New Mexico State without a conference.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Official...not quite...USU leaving WAC for MWC.
The SL Tribune is reporting that the USU move to the Mountain West Conference is waiting for the Utah Board of Regents to say OK. That is now expected to happen the next 7 to 10 days. They report that San Jose State will make the move with them.
Here is the status of what is left in the WAC.
Idaho--No move yet announced.
Louisiana Tech--CBS Sports says they are leaving for Conference USA.
New Mexico State--No move yet announced.
San Jose State--Salt Lake Tribune reports that they will join Mountain West.
Texas State--No move yet announced
UTSA--CBS Sports and ESPN report that they are joining Conference USA
Utah State--Salt Lake Tribune reports that they will join the Mountain West.
Basketball Only
Boise State--No move yet announced
Denver--No move yet announced
Seattle--No move yet announced
UT Arlington--No move yet announced
Potential Baketball-only invitees
CS Bakersfield--No move yet announced
Utah Valley--No move yet announced
Here is the status of what is left in the WAC.
Idaho--No move yet announced.
Louisiana Tech--CBS Sports says they are leaving for Conference USA.
New Mexico State--No move yet announced.
San Jose State--Salt Lake Tribune reports that they will join Mountain West.
Texas State--No move yet announced
UTSA--CBS Sports and ESPN report that they are joining Conference USA
Utah State--Salt Lake Tribune reports that they will join the Mountain West.
Basketball Only
Boise State--No move yet announced
Denver--No move yet announced
Seattle--No move yet announced
UT Arlington--No move yet announced
Potential Baketball-only invitees
CS Bakersfield--No move yet announced
Utah Valley--No move yet announced
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Saving the WAC...time to pull the plug.
Updated 4/29
CBS reports that C-USA will add North Texas, FIU, UTSA and Louisiana Tech. This afternoon, USU athletic director indicated, without making and official announcement, that Utah State is ready to accept a bid to join the Mountain West Conference "within weeks." Of course, San Jose State will likely join them. But then, he had to backtrack.
Now the WAC appears to be in the "I, Me, Mine" stage. (For those of you not old enough to remember the Beatles breaking up, that was the last song that they recorded...and it was without John Lennon who had already unofficially left the band.) This puts the big MW at 10 members and leaves 2 slots open for Boise State and San Diego State to return. While C-USA returns to 12. This leaves the WAC with only three football members for 2013. The WAC is without a commissioner and without a counter plan. It is time for "Paul" (metaphorically speaking) to pull the plug.
As a football conference, the Western Athletic Conference is now unofficially finished. It may be finished as a basketball conference as well. There are only a few questions that remain.
1. Where does Idaho put their football program? They would likely be welcomed back to the Big Sky Conference, and perhaps that is where they belong. That will be a tough pill for the Vandal Nation to accept...it is a step down. It's like English Soccer has come to college football. But since they have been unsuccessful in luring Montana and other Big Sky rivals to the WAC, that is the pill that they will have to swallow.
2. Is the WAC finished as a basketball conference? That appears to be in jeapardy as well. They need eight schools to keep the NCAA automatic bid, and are now down to six basketball school.
What the WAC should do now?
I had some ideas, but without a commissioner, none of them will come to fruition. The most important thing for the WAC to do today is to hire a commissioner who will provide leadership and a clear direction. Without that, there will be no more WAC. Time to write the epitath.
Where the WAC football members appear to be heading.
Idaho--No plans nor options announced nor rumored at this time. If the WAC folds, likely that the Vandals will return to the FCS and the Big Sky Conference. They could join the Sun Belt for football, but that will not be a travel-friendly option for them.
New Mexico State--Nothing confirmed nor announced, but likely headed for the Sun Belt Conference.
Texas State--No confirmation nor rumors, but likely headed for the Sun Belt Conference.
Basketball-only schools, what do they do if the WAC folds and is unable to continue.
Boise State--Signs are that the Big East will lose it's AQ status in the new BCS...as there will be no conference with AQ status in the new BCS. Boise State may return to the big MW. The key to the WAC surviving as a non-football conference rest with what BSU does. If the football Big East works, then BSU could put basketball in either the Big Sky or the Big West. Maybe the big MW will let them keep their other sports there to balance Hawaii.
Devner--The WCC has recently expanded to 10, and DU makes a good travel partner for BYU should the WCC decide to expand further.
Seattle--A former member of the WCC that could be invited to join again should the WCC expand further. The WCC recently re-invited former member Pacific.
Texas Arlington--May go back to the Southland Conference as a non-football member if the WAC folds.
Who could the WAC add?
Utah Valley.
CS Bakersfield.
San Diego State...maybe.
That is if there are no defections with the basketball programs. But that does not appear likely.
nah...
Let's face it...it's over.
Dedicated to the WAC.
CBS reports that C-USA will add North Texas, FIU, UTSA and Louisiana Tech. This afternoon, USU athletic director indicated, without making and official announcement, that Utah State is ready to accept a bid to join the Mountain West Conference "within weeks." Of course, San Jose State will likely join them. But then, he had to backtrack.
Now the WAC appears to be in the "I, Me, Mine" stage. (For those of you not old enough to remember the Beatles breaking up, that was the last song that they recorded...and it was without John Lennon who had already unofficially left the band.) This puts the big MW at 10 members and leaves 2 slots open for Boise State and San Diego State to return. While C-USA returns to 12. This leaves the WAC with only three football members for 2013. The WAC is without a commissioner and without a counter plan. It is time for "Paul" (metaphorically speaking) to pull the plug.
As a football conference, the Western Athletic Conference is now unofficially finished. It may be finished as a basketball conference as well. There are only a few questions that remain.
1. Where does Idaho put their football program? They would likely be welcomed back to the Big Sky Conference, and perhaps that is where they belong. That will be a tough pill for the Vandal Nation to accept...it is a step down. It's like English Soccer has come to college football. But since they have been unsuccessful in luring Montana and other Big Sky rivals to the WAC, that is the pill that they will have to swallow.
2. Is the WAC finished as a basketball conference? That appears to be in jeapardy as well. They need eight schools to keep the NCAA automatic bid, and are now down to six basketball school.
What the WAC should do now?
I had some ideas, but without a commissioner, none of them will come to fruition. The most important thing for the WAC to do today is to hire a commissioner who will provide leadership and a clear direction. Without that, there will be no more WAC. Time to write the epitath.
Where the WAC football members appear to be heading.
Idaho--No plans nor options announced nor rumored at this time. If the WAC folds, likely that the Vandals will return to the FCS and the Big Sky Conference. They could join the Sun Belt for football, but that will not be a travel-friendly option for them.
New Mexico State--Nothing confirmed nor announced, but likely headed for the Sun Belt Conference.
Texas State--No confirmation nor rumors, but likely headed for the Sun Belt Conference.
Basketball-only schools, what do they do if the WAC folds and is unable to continue.
Boise State--Signs are that the Big East will lose it's AQ status in the new BCS...as there will be no conference with AQ status in the new BCS. Boise State may return to the big MW. The key to the WAC surviving as a non-football conference rest with what BSU does. If the football Big East works, then BSU could put basketball in either the Big Sky or the Big West. Maybe the big MW will let them keep their other sports there to balance Hawaii.
Devner--The WCC has recently expanded to 10, and DU makes a good travel partner for BYU should the WCC decide to expand further.
Seattle--A former member of the WCC that could be invited to join again should the WCC expand further. The WCC recently re-invited former member Pacific.
Texas Arlington--May go back to the Southland Conference as a non-football member if the WAC folds.
Who could the WAC add?
Utah Valley.
CS Bakersfield.
San Diego State...maybe.
That is if there are no defections with the basketball programs. But that does not appear likely.
nah...
Let's face it...it's over.
Dedicated to the WAC.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Could MLB be coming to SLC?
To balance the two major leagues in Baseball, next season the Houston Astros will move to the American League. The two major leagues will be balanced with 3 divisions of 5 teams each. The problem is that there will be an inter-league series every day. Baseball may like this, but if it does not work out, the simple solution is to expand and give both leagues four divisions of four teams each. This is similar to the current structure of the National Football League and similar to a format now being considered by the National Hockey League.
Salt Lake is the 12th largest metro area in the United States or Canada that does not have a Major League Baseball franchise, but the Wasatch Front may be closer to getting another major sports franchise than many people realize.
First of all, Salt Lake is the only major city for hundreds of miles in any direction. The closest large city to Salt Lake is Las Vegas, which is about 420 miles of I-15 rock to the south. The metro is one of the fastest growing in the United States, and seems to have weathered the current recession very well.
Salt Lake has a nice minor league stadium with a very nice view of the Wasatch Mountains to the east. The team is well supported. The stadium could be easily expanded in a manner that would not interfere with the mountain vista. Unlike Coors Field, the highest stadium in the bigs, Spring Mobile Ballpark neither favors the pitcher nor the hitter. There would be no need to keep game balls in a humididor to keep them in the park.
There are some drawbacks, of course, mostly being the small market size and the lack of support that the current minor league team receives for Sunday games. In the majors, Salt Lake would be the smallest market, but could be ahead of Milwaukee by opening day 2015. The weather in April and September is very unpredictable.
Let's however, take a look at cities that might be ahead of Salt Lake in the quest for the next major league expansion. These cities have a larger population that the Salt Lake Metro.
Orlando, FL
Orlando is now the largest city in America that has only one sports franchise, the Magic. There are some drawbacks, and the main one being the Tampa Bay Rays who are looking for a new stadium. If one can not be built on the Gulf Coast, the Rays may move inland.
Sacramento, CA
California's capital almost lost their only professional sports team last season, but an 11th hour agreement kept the Kings in town. Baseball would not have the same problem. Like SLC, their minor league stadium can easily be expanded, accommodating a big-league team. Their main drawback is the proximity to the Bay Area, where the Giants and Athletics call home, and a move to expand to Sacto may be blocked by either the Giants or the A's to protect their market. If it wasn't for that, I would say that this city is a no-brainer for baseball.
Charlotte, NC
This is the city that is a no-brainer for MLB. It's not all that close to anyone, and seems to be accommodating to the NBA and the NFL. The only drawback in that their favorite sports son, who owns and has led the Bobcats to the worst record in NBA history, played two sports professionally, the other was baseball. However, I consider Charlotte the leading candidate for baseball's next home town.
Portland, OR
There are two big problems that might keep this river city off of baseball's map, even if they deserve it. First, their proximity to Seattle. Second is that they recently lost a AAA franchise because they could not find a suitable location for a stadium. Major league stadia are larger and harder to get built.
San Antonio, TX
The Pacific Coast League has their HQ not far from San Antonio. The Alamo City, home to the NBA's spurs, is ready for another big league team, and it's not hockey. Texas is a big state, and the Alamo city is not that close to either Arlington's Rangers nor Houston's Astros.
Indianapolis, IN
This is the first city on the list that is the home of a now-defunct baseball team. But I do not know anyone old enough to remember the Blues. Baseball, however, has returned to other former baseball cities like Washington DC, Baltimore and Kansas City.
Columbus, OH
This is the largest city in the US that does not have either the MLB, NFL nor NBA. They have the NHL's blue jackets, but this town belongs to the Buckeyes of the Big 10. Any professional team has to play second fiddle to those guys.
Las Vegas, NV
The largest city in America without a sports franchise at all. But this is the gambling mecca in North America and the other sports leagues have stayed away from Vegas because of it. The other problem is that in LV, there are plenty of non-gambling attractions competing for attention.
Raleigh, NC
See Charlotte, above. Baseball would be in either Charlotte or Raleigh, not both.
Here is how I would rank these cities.
1. Charlotte, NC.
2. San Antonio, TX
3. Salt Lake City, UT
4. Orlando, FL
5. Portland, OR
6. Las Vegas, NV
7. Indianapolis, IN
8. Sacramento, CA--higher if neither the Giants nor A's object.
9. Raleigh, NC--higher if Charlotte is not chosen.
Salt Lake is the 12th largest metro area in the United States or Canada that does not have a Major League Baseball franchise, but the Wasatch Front may be closer to getting another major sports franchise than many people realize.
First of all, Salt Lake is the only major city for hundreds of miles in any direction. The closest large city to Salt Lake is Las Vegas, which is about 420 miles of I-15 rock to the south. The metro is one of the fastest growing in the United States, and seems to have weathered the current recession very well.
Salt Lake has a nice minor league stadium with a very nice view of the Wasatch Mountains to the east. The team is well supported. The stadium could be easily expanded in a manner that would not interfere with the mountain vista. Unlike Coors Field, the highest stadium in the bigs, Spring Mobile Ballpark neither favors the pitcher nor the hitter. There would be no need to keep game balls in a humididor to keep them in the park.
There are some drawbacks, of course, mostly being the small market size and the lack of support that the current minor league team receives for Sunday games. In the majors, Salt Lake would be the smallest market, but could be ahead of Milwaukee by opening day 2015. The weather in April and September is very unpredictable.
Let's however, take a look at cities that might be ahead of Salt Lake in the quest for the next major league expansion. These cities have a larger population that the Salt Lake Metro.
Orlando, FL
Orlando is now the largest city in America that has only one sports franchise, the Magic. There are some drawbacks, and the main one being the Tampa Bay Rays who are looking for a new stadium. If one can not be built on the Gulf Coast, the Rays may move inland.
Sacramento, CA
California's capital almost lost their only professional sports team last season, but an 11th hour agreement kept the Kings in town. Baseball would not have the same problem. Like SLC, their minor league stadium can easily be expanded, accommodating a big-league team. Their main drawback is the proximity to the Bay Area, where the Giants and Athletics call home, and a move to expand to Sacto may be blocked by either the Giants or the A's to protect their market. If it wasn't for that, I would say that this city is a no-brainer for baseball.
Charlotte, NC
This is the city that is a no-brainer for MLB. It's not all that close to anyone, and seems to be accommodating to the NBA and the NFL. The only drawback in that their favorite sports son, who owns and has led the Bobcats to the worst record in NBA history, played two sports professionally, the other was baseball. However, I consider Charlotte the leading candidate for baseball's next home town.
Portland, OR
There are two big problems that might keep this river city off of baseball's map, even if they deserve it. First, their proximity to Seattle. Second is that they recently lost a AAA franchise because they could not find a suitable location for a stadium. Major league stadia are larger and harder to get built.
San Antonio, TX
The Pacific Coast League has their HQ not far from San Antonio. The Alamo City, home to the NBA's spurs, is ready for another big league team, and it's not hockey. Texas is a big state, and the Alamo city is not that close to either Arlington's Rangers nor Houston's Astros.
Indianapolis, IN
This is the first city on the list that is the home of a now-defunct baseball team. But I do not know anyone old enough to remember the Blues. Baseball, however, has returned to other former baseball cities like Washington DC, Baltimore and Kansas City.
Columbus, OH
This is the largest city in the US that does not have either the MLB, NFL nor NBA. They have the NHL's blue jackets, but this town belongs to the Buckeyes of the Big 10. Any professional team has to play second fiddle to those guys.
Las Vegas, NV
The largest city in America without a sports franchise at all. But this is the gambling mecca in North America and the other sports leagues have stayed away from Vegas because of it. The other problem is that in LV, there are plenty of non-gambling attractions competing for attention.
Raleigh, NC
See Charlotte, above. Baseball would be in either Charlotte or Raleigh, not both.
Here is how I would rank these cities.
1. Charlotte, NC.
2. San Antonio, TX
3. Salt Lake City, UT
4. Orlando, FL
5. Portland, OR
6. Las Vegas, NV
7. Indianapolis, IN
8. Sacramento, CA--higher if neither the Giants nor A's object.
9. Raleigh, NC--higher if Charlotte is not chosen.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
That was fast...again.
Weber State did not go very long, only 3 days, before naming defensive coordinator Jody Sears as the interim head coach. Sears does have a resume. He has been a DC under Paul Wulff since 2003, first at Eastern Washington, where Wulff was successful and at Washington state, where Wulff was not. Had the Palouse express taken off, Sears would be a head coach somewhere by now. Let's see what Sears does with the opportunity, but given that the WSU schedule does not favor the 'Cats in 2012, if Sears can finish better than 4-7, then expect "interim" to be removed from Sear's title.
Again, here is WSU's schedule for 2012.
Again, here is WSU's schedule for 2012.
| Sat, Sep 01 | at Fresno State | Fresno, CA | TBA | 1280 The Zone | |
| Sat, Sep 08 | at BYU | Provo, UT | TBA | 1280 The Zone | |
| Sat, Sep 15 | McNeese State | Ogden, UT | TBA | 1280 The Zone | |
| Sat, Sep 22 | Eastern Washington * | Ogden, UT | TBA | 1280 The Zone | |
| Sat, Sep 29 | at UC Davis * | Davis, CA | TBA | 1280 The Zone | |
| Fri, Oct 05 | Cal Poly * | Ogden, UT | TBA | 1280 The Zone | |
| Sat, Oct 13 | at Sacramento State * | Sacramento, CA | TBA | 1280 The Zone | |
| Sat, Oct 20 | at Southern Utah * | Cedar City, UT | TBA | 1280 The Zone | |
| Sat, Nov 03 | Montana * | Ogden, UT | 1:30 p.m. | ROOT SPORTS TV 1280 The Zone | |
| Sat, Nov 10 | Northern Colorado * | Ogden, UT | TBA | 1280 The Zone | |
| Sat, Nov 17 | at Idaho State * | Pocatello, ID | TBA | 1280 The Zone |
Monday, April 23, 2012
Well That Was Fast!
As soon as it began, the John L. Smith era at Weber State is history. Smith leaves his alma mater without even coaching a single game to take over an embattled Arkansas program that is reeling after Coach Bobby Petrino failed to disclose an extra-marital relationship with a woman half his age he hired to be an assistant.
Of course the same names that were on the short list last fall resurface, except spring practice and the spring semester are now history. In fact, most players are off campus on Summer Break and are finding out about their new coach's departure the same way the rest of us did, through the news media.
It will be interesting to see how this develops, but don't have high expectations of a good fall for this year's Wildcats. A situation like this is unsettling. That now makes 2 programs that Bobby Petrino's unbridled passions have ruined.
SLTrib Article
CBS Sports Article.
ESPN Article
Arkansas Fan Site Article
My commentary on where WSU goes from here:
First, for the new head coach, there are many directions that the university can go at this point. The spring semester is over, and not all of the players are on campus. Some are away working summer jobs and at summer conditioning camps. They are at a time when interactions between the coaches and players are limited. This makes the timing of Smith's departure problem-some.
There first direction is to ask Ron McBride to come back for one more season, while the team begins to look for a new permanent head coach. The problem with this option is that Smith canned most of McBride's old assistants and only kept 3 of them, Colton Swan, Cecil Thomas and Matt Hammer. There may not be any cohesion between McBride and the assistants that Smith has hired, particularly new defensive coordinator Jody Sears. That may show in the quality of play on the field. But McBride is an easy-going fellow and this could work to their advantage.
The second direction is to promote one of the assistants to interim coach. The most likely candidate for this honor would be Matt Hammer. Hammer has been involved in the WSU program the longest of any of the assistants. He is serving as assistant head coach to Smith and was co-offensive coordinator under McBride. This is a double-edged option. Hammer is very young. If he succeeds at Weber's head coach, he certainly will have opportunities at bigger programs before long. If he does not succeed, his age will be blamed, and he could end up as a life-long assistant much like Norm Chow.
The third option is hire a former head coach who is stuck in coaching Hell looking for a chance to coach somewhere again. This list includes Mike Sanford, Gary Crowton and Dan Hawkins. This could produce mixed results. Certainly someone would be very happy for the work. But there is a reason why these men are not coaching right now.
Another option is to make an offer to whomever was their #2 choice from last fall's coaching search. I do not know who that was or whether or not he fits into any of the above categories. The persistent rumor is that was former Utah assistant Don Eck who is now working with Jim Fassell for the UFL's Las Vegas Locomotives.
Yet another option is to find someone else who is ready to be a head coach in College Football who did not get a call last fall from the coaching carousel. Not sure who that would be. Not many people would leave a program mid-summer, even for a chance to become a head coach anywhere.
The best option is likely to name one of the assistants, probably Hammer, as interim head coach. Give him a chance to remove the interim from his title, and if not, hire someone else in December. That is not a very good option, but in late April, what are you going to do?
Of course the same names that were on the short list last fall resurface, except spring practice and the spring semester are now history. In fact, most players are off campus on Summer Break and are finding out about their new coach's departure the same way the rest of us did, through the news media.
It will be interesting to see how this develops, but don't have high expectations of a good fall for this year's Wildcats. A situation like this is unsettling. That now makes 2 programs that Bobby Petrino's unbridled passions have ruined.
SLTrib Article
CBS Sports Article.
ESPN Article
Arkansas Fan Site Article
My commentary on where WSU goes from here:
First, for the new head coach, there are many directions that the university can go at this point. The spring semester is over, and not all of the players are on campus. Some are away working summer jobs and at summer conditioning camps. They are at a time when interactions between the coaches and players are limited. This makes the timing of Smith's departure problem-some.
There first direction is to ask Ron McBride to come back for one more season, while the team begins to look for a new permanent head coach. The problem with this option is that Smith canned most of McBride's old assistants and only kept 3 of them, Colton Swan, Cecil Thomas and Matt Hammer. There may not be any cohesion between McBride and the assistants that Smith has hired, particularly new defensive coordinator Jody Sears. That may show in the quality of play on the field. But McBride is an easy-going fellow and this could work to their advantage.
The second direction is to promote one of the assistants to interim coach. The most likely candidate for this honor would be Matt Hammer. Hammer has been involved in the WSU program the longest of any of the assistants. He is serving as assistant head coach to Smith and was co-offensive coordinator under McBride. This is a double-edged option. Hammer is very young. If he succeeds at Weber's head coach, he certainly will have opportunities at bigger programs before long. If he does not succeed, his age will be blamed, and he could end up as a life-long assistant much like Norm Chow.
The third option is hire a former head coach who is stuck in coaching Hell looking for a chance to coach somewhere again. This list includes Mike Sanford, Gary Crowton and Dan Hawkins. This could produce mixed results. Certainly someone would be very happy for the work. But there is a reason why these men are not coaching right now.
Another option is to make an offer to whomever was their #2 choice from last fall's coaching search. I do not know who that was or whether or not he fits into any of the above categories. The persistent rumor is that was former Utah assistant Don Eck who is now working with Jim Fassell for the UFL's Las Vegas Locomotives.
Yet another option is to find someone else who is ready to be a head coach in College Football who did not get a call last fall from the coaching carousel. Not sure who that would be. Not many people would leave a program mid-summer, even for a chance to become a head coach anywhere.
The best option is likely to name one of the assistants, probably Hammer, as interim head coach. Give him a chance to remove the interim from his title, and if not, hire someone else in December. That is not a very good option, but in late April, what are you going to do?
Friday, April 20, 2012
Relative Strengths of the WAC and Big Sky Members
If the WAC and Big Sky merged, these are the power rankings; according to Sagarin.
1. Louisiana Tech
2. Montana
3. Utah State
4. Montana State
5. San Jose State
6. Cal Poly
7. Southern Utah
8. North Dakota
10. Eastern Washington
11. Portland State
12. New Mexico State
13. Weber State
14. Idaho
15. Sacramento State
16. UC Davis
17. Northern Arizona
18. Texas State
19. UT San Antonio
20. Idaho State
21. Northern Colorado
1. Louisiana Tech
2. Montana
3. Utah State
4. Montana State
5. San Jose State
6. Cal Poly
7. Southern Utah
8. North Dakota
10. Eastern Washington
11. Portland State
12. New Mexico State
13. Weber State
14. Idaho
15. Sacramento State
16. UC Davis
17. Northern Arizona
18. Texas State
19. UT San Antonio
20. Idaho State
21. Northern Colorado
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Saving the WAC...It is still possible to save the WAC?
A recent Bleacher Report article compares the WAC to a game of Jenga that is about to end. One more block could bring the entire conference down. The WAC may not even survive as a basketball school, the addition of Pacific to the WCC spells bad news. The main reason for the addition of Pacific was to balance the conference, to give BYU a travel partner. What happens if BYU goes to the Big 12, what happens if they do not? Does the WCC add Seattle and/or Denver? If so, is the WAC just finished?
The WAC probably needs to act BEFORE the MWC adds Utah State and San Jose State or C-USA adds Louisiana Tech and/or UTSA. There is not much time left.
Here is the long list of programs for the WAC:
Big Sky Conference
Montana
Montana State
Sacramento State (CA)
Portland State (OR)
Weber State (UT)
Northern Arizona
Eastern Washington
Cal Poly (Football Only)
UC Davis (Football Only)
Missouri Valley Football Conference
Missouri State
North Dakota State
Northern Iowa
South Dakota State
Southland Conference
Lamar (TX)
McNeese State (LA)
Northwestern State (LA)
Sam Houston State (TX)
Stephen F. Austin (TX)
Schools that could add football programs and join the WAC.
Big West Conference
Cal State Fullerton
UC Santa Barbara
Long Beach State (CA)
West Coast Conference
Santa Clara (CA)
Gonzaga (WA)
WAC non-football schools
Denver (CO)
Seattle (WA)
UT Arlington
Others
UC Santa Barbara
Wichita State (KS)
Utah Valley
Pick 4, any 4 and the WAC will survive.
Current 2013 WAC alignment...
Football Schools
Idaho
Louisiana Tech (Candidate for C-USA)
New Mexico State
San Jose State (Candidate for MWC)
Texas State
Texas San Antonio (Candidate for C-USA)
Utah State (Candidate for MWC)
Non-football Schools
Boise State
Denver
Seattle
Texas Arlington
(Boise State will have their football program in the Big East while the other 3 non-football schools do not sponsor football.)
The WAC probably needs to act BEFORE the MWC adds Utah State and San Jose State or C-USA adds Louisiana Tech and/or UTSA. There is not much time left.
Here is the long list of programs for the WAC:
Big Sky Conference
Montana
Montana State
Sacramento State (CA)
Portland State (OR)
Weber State (UT)
Northern Arizona
Eastern Washington
Cal Poly (Football Only)
UC Davis (Football Only)
Missouri Valley Football Conference
Missouri State
North Dakota State
Northern Iowa
South Dakota State
Southland Conference
Lamar (TX)
McNeese State (LA)
Northwestern State (LA)
Sam Houston State (TX)
Stephen F. Austin (TX)
Schools that could add football programs and join the WAC.
Big West Conference
Cal State Fullerton
UC Santa Barbara
Long Beach State (CA)
West Coast Conference
Santa Clara (CA)
Gonzaga (WA)
WAC non-football schools
Denver (CO)
Seattle (WA)
UT Arlington
Others
UC Santa Barbara
Wichita State (KS)
Utah Valley
Pick 4, any 4 and the WAC will survive.
Current 2013 WAC alignment...
Football Schools
Idaho
Louisiana Tech (Candidate for C-USA)
New Mexico State
San Jose State (Candidate for MWC)
Texas State
Texas San Antonio (Candidate for C-USA)
Utah State (Candidate for MWC)
Non-football Schools
Boise State
Denver
Seattle
Texas Arlington
(Boise State will have their football program in the Big East while the other 3 non-football schools do not sponsor football.)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Who will BYU play in 2013?
Last Updated July 25, 2012.
Now that Wisconsin and we know the date, here is the schedule. BYU has two home dates to add, and an optional 13th game should they chose. I also have some brief comments to add about the rumored BigSky/WAC merger in the section about the WAC.
A31--Open--probably @ Washington State
S7--Texas
S14--Open, probably Utah
S21--Boise State
S28--Open
O4--@Utah State (Rumor--May move to November 28, 29 or 30 of season if MWC cooperates. Then this week could become a bye.)
O12--Ga Tech
O19--@Houston
O26--Open
N2--Open
N9--@ Wisconsin
N16--Open
N23--@Notre Dame
N30--Open
D7--@ Hawaii
TBA--Utah and @ Washington State
Needed: 2 or 3 home games depending on whether or not BYU uses the Hawaii exception. They did not use the Hawaii exception in 2011. But, there are five open weeks and only two games to schedule. The Hawaii exception may be used unless Utah, Wisconsin or Washington state is schedule later in the season. Probably the home games will be against WAC leftovers Idaho and New Mexico State.
TBA @Washington State, @Wisconsin, Utah.
Who is available?
ACC--In 2013, the ACC adopts a 9-games schedule with the addition of Syracuse and Pittsburgh. Some ACC teams, like Clemson, are over-scheduled and will have to drop a game. This will open up some interesting possibilities for the Cougars. Here are the teams with games left to schedule.
Duke--Needs 1 game.
Miami--scheduled a game in 2013 at Yankee Stadium, but they are still looking for an opponent. Most likely this will be a conference game.
Over-scheduled:
Clemson...most likely to drop 9/14 game vs. Kent
Virginia...most likely to drop 11/02 game vs UTSA
Note: Boston College is over-scheduled, but one game is against Syracuse which will become a conference game.
NC State and Virginia Tech are over-scheduled, but both have a game against Pittsburgh which will become conference games.
BYU's future games vs. ACC:
Ga Tech in 2013. Games in 2014 and 2017 have been cancelled.
Big 12
Oklahoma State--Needs 1 game
Texas Tech--Needs 1 game
BYU's future games vs Big 12
2014 @ Texas
2016 vs West Virginia in Landover, MD
Big East
Memphis--Needs 1 game
San Diego State--Needs 1 game
BYU's future games vs Big East
Boise State--Annual through 2023
Houston 2013 and 2014
Big 10
Illinois--Needs 1 game
BYU's future games vs Big 10
2013--@Wisconsin, 2014--Wisconsin
2015--@ Nebraska
Conference USA
Marshall--Needs 1 game
Tulane--Needs 2 games and contracted to play a game in Provo in 2013 or 2014
UAB--Needs 1 game
UTEP--Needs 2 games
La Tech--Needs 1 game
UTSA--Has a November 2 game against Virginia, who is over-scheduled
BYU's future games vs C-USA:
Southern Mississippi 2014 and 2015
East Carolina 2017 and 2018
BYU had a home and home agreement with La Tech as part of the WAC scheduling agreement, but now that La Tech has been invited to join C-USA, that agreement may be cancelled.
Other Independents
Army--Plays at Hawaii and has the option to add a 13th game. The only date this could fit into Army's schedule is November 23.
BYU's future games vs other Independents
Notre Dame--2013 and 4 others TBA
MAC
Central Michigan--Needs 2 games
Eastern Michigan--Needs a game
Kent--Needs a game, plus a game against over-scheduled Clemson could be dropped.
UMass--Needs 1 game
Western Michigan--Needs 2 games
BYU has no games scheduled vs. MAC.
Mountain West
Note: Do not know if the MWC will play a 8 or 9 game schedule in 2013, but it will probably be an 8-game schedule in 2013 and beyond that depends on whether the conference expands to 12.
Air Force--Plays at Hawaii and can add another game
Colorado State--Plays at Hawaii and can add another game
Fresno State--Needs 1 game also plays at Hawaii
New Mexico--Needs 1 game
Wyoming--Needs 1 game
BYU's future games vs. MWC
Hawaii--Annual through 2022
Utah State--Annual through 2015
PAC-12
Arizona--Needs 1 game
California--Needs 1 game
Washington--Needs 1 game
Utah--Needs 2 games
BYU's future games vs. PAC-12
2013--@ Washington State
2013 & 2016 -- Utah, @Utah
SEC
Alabama--Needs 1 game
Arkansas--Needs 2 games
Auburn--Needs 1 game
Missouri--Needs 1 game
Tennessee--Needs 1 game
Texas A&M--Needs 2 games
BYU--No future games scheduled vs. SEC
Sun Belt
Arkansas State--Needs games
FIU--Needs 1 game
FAU--Needs games
Georgia State--Needs games
Middle Tennessee--Needs games
North Texas--Needs 1 game
Troy--Needs 1 game
UL Laf--Needs games
BYU--No future games scheduled vs. Sun Belt
WAC
Idaho--Needs games
New Mexico State--Needs games
BYU's future games vs. WAC
The WAC only has two teams in conference for the 2013 season and it does not look like more are coming on board. Both Idaho and New Mexico State can give BYU November homes games unless they both reclassify to the FCS for 2013. There are also rumors of a merger with the Big Sky Conference, but so far that will not involve football in 2013. If it does, the NCAA will need to grant an exception to the 6 or so current Big Sky schools to transition to the FBS in 2013, as the June 1 deadline has passed. Schools that could do this include Montana, Eastern Washington, Sacramento State, Portland State, UC Davis, Cal Poly, Montana State, Northern Arizona and Weber State.
My Prediction
A31--@ Washington State
S7--Texas
S14--Utah
S21--Boise State
S28--bye
O4--@Utah State
O12--Ga Tech
O19--@Houston
O26--Wyoming/Idaho
N2--Southern Utah (to avoid 2 late-season byes)
N9--@ Wisconsin
N16--bye
N23--@Notre Dame
N30--New Mexico State
D7--@ Hawaii
The WAC/Big Sky merger will not be complete for football in 2013, therefore only Idaho and New Mexico State, who will likely be independent in 2013, will need games and are available for BYU to schedule. Idaho may be desparate enough to schedule BYU in Provo for the 3rd year in a row...maybe. If not, I have a source in Laramie telling me that the Cowboys are really interested in putting BYU back on the schedule. I only half believe this, however. Wyoming is the last old MWC rival that I though would come to Provo, I was expecting UNLV or New Mexico first. I suspect that BYU will use the Hawaii execption to avoid too many byes late in the season. I suspect that this will be a Big Sky team. If this happens on October 26, it will be Portland State. If on November 2nd, it will be Southern Utah. If on November 16, it will be Idaho State. (Link for Big Sky Conference schedules.) BYU fans will need to get used to seeing New Mexico State on the November slate. But if these creme puffs are insterspersed regularly with Wisconsin and Notre Dame and like schools, it may end up being livable.
Now that Wisconsin and we know the date, here is the schedule. BYU has two home dates to add, and an optional 13th game should they chose. I also have some brief comments to add about the rumored BigSky/WAC merger in the section about the WAC.
A31--Open--probably @ Washington State
S7--Texas
S14--Open, probably Utah
S21--Boise State
S28--Open
O4--@Utah State (Rumor--May move to November 28, 29 or 30 of season if MWC cooperates. Then this week could become a bye.)
O12--Ga Tech
O19--@Houston
O26--Open
N2--Open
N9--@ Wisconsin
N16--Open
N23--@Notre Dame
N30--Open
D7--@ Hawaii
TBA--Utah and @ Washington State
Needed: 2 or 3 home games depending on whether or not BYU uses the Hawaii exception. They did not use the Hawaii exception in 2011. But, there are five open weeks and only two games to schedule. The Hawaii exception may be used unless Utah, Wisconsin or Washington state is schedule later in the season. Probably the home games will be against WAC leftovers Idaho and New Mexico State.
TBA @Washington State, @Wisconsin, Utah.
Who is available?
ACC--In 2013, the ACC adopts a 9-games schedule with the addition of Syracuse and Pittsburgh. Some ACC teams, like Clemson, are over-scheduled and will have to drop a game. This will open up some interesting possibilities for the Cougars. Here are the teams with games left to schedule.
Duke--Needs 1 game.
Miami--scheduled a game in 2013 at Yankee Stadium, but they are still looking for an opponent. Most likely this will be a conference game.
Over-scheduled:
Clemson...most likely to drop 9/14 game vs. Kent
Virginia...most likely to drop 11/02 game vs UTSA
Note: Boston College is over-scheduled, but one game is against Syracuse which will become a conference game.
NC State and Virginia Tech are over-scheduled, but both have a game against Pittsburgh which will become conference games.
BYU's future games vs. ACC:
Ga Tech in 2013. Games in 2014 and 2017 have been cancelled.
Big 12
Oklahoma State--Needs 1 game
Texas Tech--Needs 1 game
BYU's future games vs Big 12
2014 @ Texas
2016 vs West Virginia in Landover, MD
Big East
Memphis--Needs 1 game
San Diego State--Needs 1 game
BYU's future games vs Big East
Boise State--Annual through 2023
Houston 2013 and 2014
Big 10
Illinois--Needs 1 game
BYU's future games vs Big 10
2013--@Wisconsin, 2014--Wisconsin
2015--@ Nebraska
Conference USA
Marshall--Needs 1 game
Tulane--Needs 2 games and contracted to play a game in Provo in 2013 or 2014
UAB--Needs 1 game
UTEP--Needs 2 games
La Tech--Needs 1 game
UTSA--Has a November 2 game against Virginia, who is over-scheduled
BYU's future games vs C-USA:
Southern Mississippi 2014 and 2015
East Carolina 2017 and 2018
BYU had a home and home agreement with La Tech as part of the WAC scheduling agreement, but now that La Tech has been invited to join C-USA, that agreement may be cancelled.
Other Independents
Army--Plays at Hawaii and has the option to add a 13th game. The only date this could fit into Army's schedule is November 23.
BYU's future games vs other Independents
Notre Dame--2013 and 4 others TBA
MAC
Central Michigan--Needs 2 games
Eastern Michigan--Needs a game
Kent--Needs a game, plus a game against over-scheduled Clemson could be dropped.
UMass--Needs 1 game
Western Michigan--Needs 2 games
BYU has no games scheduled vs. MAC.
Mountain West
Note: Do not know if the MWC will play a 8 or 9 game schedule in 2013, but it will probably be an 8-game schedule in 2013 and beyond that depends on whether the conference expands to 12.
Air Force--Plays at Hawaii and can add another game
Colorado State--Plays at Hawaii and can add another game
Fresno State--Needs 1 game also plays at Hawaii
New Mexico--Needs 1 game
Wyoming--Needs 1 game
BYU's future games vs. MWC
Hawaii--Annual through 2022
Utah State--Annual through 2015
PAC-12
Arizona--Needs 1 game
California--Needs 1 game
Washington--Needs 1 game
Utah--Needs 2 games
BYU's future games vs. PAC-12
2013--@ Washington State
2013 & 2016 -- Utah, @Utah
SEC
Alabama--Needs 1 game
Arkansas--Needs 2 games
Auburn--Needs 1 game
Missouri--Needs 1 game
Tennessee--Needs 1 game
Texas A&M--Needs 2 games
BYU--No future games scheduled vs. SEC
Sun Belt
Arkansas State--Needs games
FIU--Needs 1 game
FAU--Needs games
Georgia State--Needs games
Middle Tennessee--Needs games
North Texas--Needs 1 game
Troy--Needs 1 game
UL Laf--Needs games
BYU--No future games scheduled vs. Sun Belt
WAC
Idaho--Needs games
New Mexico State--Needs games
BYU's future games vs. WAC
The WAC only has two teams in conference for the 2013 season and it does not look like more are coming on board. Both Idaho and New Mexico State can give BYU November homes games unless they both reclassify to the FCS for 2013. There are also rumors of a merger with the Big Sky Conference, but so far that will not involve football in 2013. If it does, the NCAA will need to grant an exception to the 6 or so current Big Sky schools to transition to the FBS in 2013, as the June 1 deadline has passed. Schools that could do this include Montana, Eastern Washington, Sacramento State, Portland State, UC Davis, Cal Poly, Montana State, Northern Arizona and Weber State.
My Prediction
A31--@ Washington State
S7--Texas
S14--Utah
S21--Boise State
S28--bye
O4--@Utah State
O12--Ga Tech
O19--@Houston
O26--Wyoming/Idaho
N2--Southern Utah (to avoid 2 late-season byes)
N9--@ Wisconsin
N16--bye
N23--@Notre Dame
N30--New Mexico State
D7--@ Hawaii
The WAC/Big Sky merger will not be complete for football in 2013, therefore only Idaho and New Mexico State, who will likely be independent in 2013, will need games and are available for BYU to schedule. Idaho may be desparate enough to schedule BYU in Provo for the 3rd year in a row...maybe. If not, I have a source in Laramie telling me that the Cowboys are really interested in putting BYU back on the schedule. I only half believe this, however. Wyoming is the last old MWC rival that I though would come to Provo, I was expecting UNLV or New Mexico first. I suspect that BYU will use the Hawaii execption to avoid too many byes late in the season. I suspect that this will be a Big Sky team. If this happens on October 26, it will be Portland State. If on November 2nd, it will be Southern Utah. If on November 16, it will be Idaho State. (Link for Big Sky Conference schedules.) BYU fans will need to get used to seeing New Mexico State on the November slate. But if these creme puffs are insterspersed regularly with Wisconsin and Notre Dame and like schools, it may end up being livable.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Why the BYU/Utah Rivalry Will Die
In looking at the schedule below, it is hard to see why Utah may not want to continue to schedule BYU. In both 2013 and 2014, there are open dates for both schools in September, it would be easy to get together.
The problem is the timing of the game. For BYU, it will work no matter when the game is scheduled. For Utah, it's another story. It's a lot of time and energy expelled before the conference season even begins. For BYU to earn a BCS game, it has to run the table, get ranked high enough and hope that other potential at-large BCS teams choke. Utah needs to win their conference. This year Utah has a home game against USC after they play BYU. They can afford to not take BYU as seriously, because a loss to BYU will not hurt their chances at the Rose Bowl. A loss to USC does. BYU has to beat Utah and then beat Boise State the following week or they are relegated to the Poinsettia bowl very early. After that, BYU has a couple of teams that really want to beat them, but may not have quite the muscle. After USC, Utah has the rest of the PAC-12 season to worry about. In 2012, the game means more to BYU than it does to Utah. Therefore, the rivalry is just not the same as it used to be already.
One could argue the same thing happened in 2011 and Utah killed BYU. That was with an entitled quarterback at the helm of the BYU offense. The BYU team over-prepared for Utah, and committed 7 turnovers. Isn't it logical that the same thing will happen next year and the Utes will have another easy victory? Apparently, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham does not think so. He is showing his Alma Mater some respect, whether or not it is deserved. Fans may not share this level of caution, which is understandable. Utah may be also looking at playing one non-conference road game somewhere else, for recruiting purposes. Perhaps the Utes are thinking Texas or Florida for a 2013 road non-conference game. (But maybe Houston or Rice, not Texas. Maybe USF or UCF instead of Miami, Florida or Florida State.) Something that they can bring some potential on-the-fence recruits to.
Unless the PAC-12 relents and lets BYU and Utah play in November, the rivalry is likely not going to happen every season. Perhaps 2 out of every 6 seasons will we see BYU and Utah hook horns. Therefore don't expect BYU and Utah to meet on the gridiron until 2017 and 2018 unless the PAC-12 changes their mind. And it will only happen that often if BYU stays independent. If BYU joins the Big 12, the BYU/Utah rivalry could be finished for good.
It would not be a difficult problem for the PAC-12 to resolve. USC plays Notre Dame every November. That week, BYU could play Utah. Then UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado can mesh up however the conference sees fit that same week. They could also play the week that Notre Dame and Stanford play, with the Utes playing California that week. There would be no BYEs that week. But BYU/Utah on a national level does not quite have the same prestige as USC/Notre Dame. And who knows, perhaps the USC/Notre Dame rivalry is on the way out as well.
Maybe one day, Utah and Colorado will be a big rivalry. BYU and Utah State may have an end of the season agreement, even if USU becomes a member of the Mountain West Conference. But nothing will replace BYU and Utah.
Utah's 2013 Non-Conference Games
A29--Utah State
Utah's 2014 Non-Conference Games
None yet scheduled
BYU's 2013 Schedule
A31--Open
S7--Texas
S14--Open
S21--Open
S28--@ Hawaii
O4--@Utah State
O12--Ga Tech
O19--@Houston
O26--Boise State
N2--Open
N9--Open
N16--@Notre Dame
N23--Open
N30--Open <--The week that Notre Dame and Stanford are scheduled.
TBA--Washington State
Looking for 2 or 3 home games and 1 or 2 road games.
BYU's 2014 Schedule
A30--Open
S6--@ Texas
S13--Open
S20--Open
S27--Houston
O4--Open <--General Conference weekend, usual Utah State game.
O11--Open <--Scheduled Ga Tech game likely cancelled.
O18--Hawaii
O25--Boise State
N1--Open
N8--Southern Mississippi
N15--Open
N22--Open<--Possible Notre Dame game in Provo. The Irish have an opening this week.
N29--Open<--The week that USC and Notre Dame are scheduled.
TBA: Utah State, @UCF
Looking for 1 or 2 home games and 3 or 4 road games.
The problem is the timing of the game. For BYU, it will work no matter when the game is scheduled. For Utah, it's another story. It's a lot of time and energy expelled before the conference season even begins. For BYU to earn a BCS game, it has to run the table, get ranked high enough and hope that other potential at-large BCS teams choke. Utah needs to win their conference. This year Utah has a home game against USC after they play BYU. They can afford to not take BYU as seriously, because a loss to BYU will not hurt their chances at the Rose Bowl. A loss to USC does. BYU has to beat Utah and then beat Boise State the following week or they are relegated to the Poinsettia bowl very early. After that, BYU has a couple of teams that really want to beat them, but may not have quite the muscle. After USC, Utah has the rest of the PAC-12 season to worry about. In 2012, the game means more to BYU than it does to Utah. Therefore, the rivalry is just not the same as it used to be already.
One could argue the same thing happened in 2011 and Utah killed BYU. That was with an entitled quarterback at the helm of the BYU offense. The BYU team over-prepared for Utah, and committed 7 turnovers. Isn't it logical that the same thing will happen next year and the Utes will have another easy victory? Apparently, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham does not think so. He is showing his Alma Mater some respect, whether or not it is deserved. Fans may not share this level of caution, which is understandable. Utah may be also looking at playing one non-conference road game somewhere else, for recruiting purposes. Perhaps the Utes are thinking Texas or Florida for a 2013 road non-conference game. (But maybe Houston or Rice, not Texas. Maybe USF or UCF instead of Miami, Florida or Florida State.) Something that they can bring some potential on-the-fence recruits to.
Unless the PAC-12 relents and lets BYU and Utah play in November, the rivalry is likely not going to happen every season. Perhaps 2 out of every 6 seasons will we see BYU and Utah hook horns. Therefore don't expect BYU and Utah to meet on the gridiron until 2017 and 2018 unless the PAC-12 changes their mind. And it will only happen that often if BYU stays independent. If BYU joins the Big 12, the BYU/Utah rivalry could be finished for good.
It would not be a difficult problem for the PAC-12 to resolve. USC plays Notre Dame every November. That week, BYU could play Utah. Then UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado can mesh up however the conference sees fit that same week. They could also play the week that Notre Dame and Stanford play, with the Utes playing California that week. There would be no BYEs that week. But BYU/Utah on a national level does not quite have the same prestige as USC/Notre Dame. And who knows, perhaps the USC/Notre Dame rivalry is on the way out as well.
Maybe one day, Utah and Colorado will be a big rivalry. BYU and Utah State may have an end of the season agreement, even if USU becomes a member of the Mountain West Conference. But nothing will replace BYU and Utah.
Utah's 2013 Non-Conference Games
A29--Utah State
Utah's 2014 Non-Conference Games
None yet scheduled
BYU's 2013 Schedule
A31--Open
S7--Texas
S14--Open
S21--Open
S28--@ Hawaii
O4--@Utah State
O12--Ga Tech
O19--@Houston
O26--Boise State
N2--Open
N9--Open
N16--@Notre Dame
N23--Open
N30--Open <--The week that Notre Dame and Stanford are scheduled.
TBA--Washington State
Looking for 2 or 3 home games and 1 or 2 road games.
BYU's 2014 Schedule
A30--Open
S6--@ Texas
S13--Open
S20--Open
S27--Houston
O4--Open <--General Conference weekend, usual Utah State game.
O11--Open <--Scheduled Ga Tech game likely cancelled.
O18--Hawaii
O25--Boise State
N1--Open
N8--Southern Mississippi
N15--Open
N22--Open<--Possible Notre Dame game in Provo. The Irish have an opening this week.
N29--Open<--The week that USC and Notre Dame are scheduled.
TBA: Utah State, @UCF
Looking for 1 or 2 home games and 3 or 4 road games.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
How the Bowls would have worked out if 6-6 teams had not been allowed
The NCAA is has differed, to the conference commissioners, the decision to continue to allow a 6-6 team to a bowl in the future. The NCAA conference commissioners are likely against it. And I agree that going to a bowl game should mean something. With the number of bowls that are in place, however, there needs to be some capitulation on behalf of bowl committees. They will have to concede that a team from a weaker conference with a better record is a better invite than a mediocre team from a power conference.
It should be obvious that if 6-6 teams are not eligible for bowl games, then some bowls will have to be decertified. I am OK with seeing the Beef 'O' Brady's, New Mexico, New Orleans and Pinstripe Bowls go away, but let's say that they do not. Those bowl committees would then have to settle for FCS schools in place of schools from power conferences. Therefore, here is how I think some bowls would have changed had this rule been in place for 2011-12.
Criteria, at least 7 wins and eliminated from the FCS playoffs before the Final Four. The Final Four was the Champion North Dakota State, plus Sam Houston State, Montana and Georgia Southern. There will probably be enough schools with 8 or more wins at the FCS level to ensure that no 7 win teams from FCS conferences are in bowl games. There were 14 teams with a 6-6 or worse record in bowl games this last season, where there were 25 FCS teams that did not make the final four with 8 wins or more.
Second, some of the smaller and colder-weather bowls will get to put up with the smaller college teams where other bowl-eligible teams will travel to bigger bowls. You would not see Appalachian State vs Towson in the Gator Bowl. Those smaller bowls will not take just anyone, but teams that are close to get the largest crowd possible.
Third, the Pioneer Conference, Ivy League and SWAC (a conference of traditional African-American schools) do not normally participate in the FCS playoffs, but would be eligible to be substitutes in bowl games.
Fourth, no bowl will be FCS vs FCS.
Big Sky:
Montana State 10-3
Big South
Stony Brook 9-4
Colonial
Towson 9-3
Old Dominion 10-3
Maine 9-4
New Hampshire 8-4
James Madison 8-4
Great West
North Dakota 8-3
Ivy
Harvard 9-1
MEAC
Norfolk State 9-3
Bethune-Cookman 8-3
Missouri Valley
Northern Iowa 10-3
Northeast
Duquesne 9-2
Albany 8-4
Ohio Valley
(None)
Patriot
Lehigh 11-2
Georgetown 8-3
Pioneer
Drake 9-2
San Diego 9-2
Southern
Wofford 8-4
Appalachian State 8-4
Southland
Central Arkansas 9-4
SWAC
Jackson State 9-2
Alabama State 8-3
Alabama A&M 8-4
Grambling State 8-4
New Mexico
Old Match-up
Temple (8-4) vs Wyoming (8-4)
New Match-up
Maine (9-4) vs Wyoming (8-4)
Comment: Remember what I said about travel? Here is an obvious exception. No bowl near Maine, no deserving FCS school near Albuquerque.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Old Match-up
Utah State (7-5) vs Ohio 9-4
New Match-up
Montana State (10-3) vs Ohio (9-4)
Obvious choice to put the Bobcats who had a whale of a season in 2011. There are not many schools that could travel to Boise and play in a warmer climate, but Montana State is one of them.
New Orleans
Old Match-up
La Laf (8-4) vs San Diego State (8-4)
New Match-up
La Laf (8-4) vs Grambling State (8-4)
A traditional African-American college in New Orleans seems like a good idea. GSU plays here at least once a year.
Beef 'O' Brady
Old Match-up
FIU (8-4) vs Marshall (6-6)
New Match-up
FIU (8-4) vs Towson (9-3)
Passed up Stony Brook from the more deserving Towson.
Las Vegas
Old Match-up
Arizona State (6-6) vs Boise State (11-1)
New Match-up
Utah State (7-5) vs TCU (11-1)
No good options for MWC bowl opponents, but USU fans would travel to Las Vegas.
Little Cesar's Pizza Bowl
Old Match-up
Purdue (6-6) vs Western Michigan (7-5)
New Match-up
Northern Iowa (10-3) vs Western Michigan (7-5)
This seemed like the most obvious choice for the Detroit-based bowl.
Poinsettia Bowl
Old Match-up
Louisiana Tech (8-4) vs TCU (11-1)
New Match-up
San Diego (9-2) vs San Diego State (8-4)
When was the last time that the Torreos and the Aztecs met on the Gridiron?
Independence Bowl
Old Match-up
North Carolina (7-5) vs Missouri (7-5)
New Match-up
Louisiana Tech (8-4) vs Missouri (7-5)
It should be obvious that if 6-6 teams are not eligible for bowl games, then some bowls will have to be decertified. I am OK with seeing the Beef 'O' Brady's, New Mexico, New Orleans and Pinstripe Bowls go away, but let's say that they do not. Those bowl committees would then have to settle for FCS schools in place of schools from power conferences. Therefore, here is how I think some bowls would have changed had this rule been in place for 2011-12.
Criteria, at least 7 wins and eliminated from the FCS playoffs before the Final Four. The Final Four was the Champion North Dakota State, plus Sam Houston State, Montana and Georgia Southern. There will probably be enough schools with 8 or more wins at the FCS level to ensure that no 7 win teams from FCS conferences are in bowl games. There were 14 teams with a 6-6 or worse record in bowl games this last season, where there were 25 FCS teams that did not make the final four with 8 wins or more.
Second, some of the smaller and colder-weather bowls will get to put up with the smaller college teams where other bowl-eligible teams will travel to bigger bowls. You would not see Appalachian State vs Towson in the Gator Bowl. Those smaller bowls will not take just anyone, but teams that are close to get the largest crowd possible.
Third, the Pioneer Conference, Ivy League and SWAC (a conference of traditional African-American schools) do not normally participate in the FCS playoffs, but would be eligible to be substitutes in bowl games.
Fourth, no bowl will be FCS vs FCS.
Big Sky:
Montana State 10-3
Big South
Stony Brook 9-4
Colonial
Towson 9-3
Old Dominion 10-3
Maine 9-4
New Hampshire 8-4
James Madison 8-4
Great West
North Dakota 8-3
Ivy
Harvard 9-1
MEAC
Norfolk State 9-3
Bethune-Cookman 8-3
Missouri Valley
Northern Iowa 10-3
Northeast
Duquesne 9-2
Albany 8-4
Ohio Valley
(None)
Patriot
Lehigh 11-2
Georgetown 8-3
Pioneer
Drake 9-2
San Diego 9-2
Southern
Wofford 8-4
Appalachian State 8-4
Southland
Central Arkansas 9-4
SWAC
Jackson State 9-2
Alabama State 8-3
Alabama A&M 8-4
Grambling State 8-4
New Mexico
Old Match-up
Temple (8-4) vs Wyoming (8-4)
New Match-up
Maine (9-4) vs Wyoming (8-4)
Comment: Remember what I said about travel? Here is an obvious exception. No bowl near Maine, no deserving FCS school near Albuquerque.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Old Match-up
Utah State (7-5) vs Ohio 9-4
New Match-up
Montana State (10-3) vs Ohio (9-4)
Obvious choice to put the Bobcats who had a whale of a season in 2011. There are not many schools that could travel to Boise and play in a warmer climate, but Montana State is one of them.
New Orleans
Old Match-up
La Laf (8-4) vs San Diego State (8-4)
New Match-up
La Laf (8-4) vs Grambling State (8-4)
A traditional African-American college in New Orleans seems like a good idea. GSU plays here at least once a year.
Beef 'O' Brady
Old Match-up
FIU (8-4) vs Marshall (6-6)
New Match-up
FIU (8-4) vs Towson (9-3)
Passed up Stony Brook from the more deserving Towson.
Las Vegas
Old Match-up
Arizona State (6-6) vs Boise State (11-1)
New Match-up
Utah State (7-5) vs TCU (11-1)
No good options for MWC bowl opponents, but USU fans would travel to Las Vegas.
Little Cesar's Pizza Bowl
Old Match-up
Purdue (6-6) vs Western Michigan (7-5)
New Match-up
Northern Iowa (10-3) vs Western Michigan (7-5)
This seemed like the most obvious choice for the Detroit-based bowl.
Poinsettia Bowl
Old Match-up
Louisiana Tech (8-4) vs TCU (11-1)
New Match-up
San Diego (9-2) vs San Diego State (8-4)
When was the last time that the Torreos and the Aztecs met on the Gridiron?
Independence Bowl
Old Match-up
North Carolina (7-5) vs Missouri (7-5)
New Match-up
Louisiana Tech (8-4) vs Missouri (7-5)
Move La Tech closer to home and against a weaker opponent.
Brought SMU closer to home against a nearby FCS school.
Pinstripe Bowl
Music City Bowl
GoDaddy.com Bowl
Military Bowl
Old Match-up
Air Force (7-5) vs Toledo (8-4)
New Match-up
Air Force (7-5) vs Toledo (8-4)
New Match-up
Lehigh (11-2) vs Toledo (8-4)
Again, seemed like the obvious choice for a bowl in DC.
Armed Forces Bowl
Again, seemed like the obvious choice for a bowl in DC.
Armed Forces Bowl
Old Match-up
BYU (9-3) vs Tulsa (8-4)
New Match-up
SMU (7-5) vs Central Arkansas (9-4)
BYU (9-3) vs Tulsa (8-4)
New Match-up
SMU (7-5) vs Central Arkansas (9-4)
Brought SMU closer to home against a nearby FCS school.
Pinstripe Bowl
Old Match-up
Iowa State (6-6) vs Rutgers (8-4)
New Match-up
Harvard (9-1) vs Rutgers (8-4)
Probably a more interesting match-up for Rutgers than they would have had otherwise.
Iowa State (6-6) vs Rutgers (8-4)
New Match-up
Harvard (9-1) vs Rutgers (8-4)
Probably a more interesting match-up for Rutgers than they would have had otherwise.
Music City Bowl
Old Match-up
Mississippi State (6-6) vs Wake Forest (6-6)
New Match-up
Temple (8-4) vs Appalachian State (8-4)
Certain that the Mountaineers would bring a good crowd to Memphis.
Mississippi State (6-6) vs Wake Forest (6-6)
New Match-up
Temple (8-4) vs Appalachian State (8-4)
Certain that the Mountaineers would bring a good crowd to Memphis.
Meineke Car Car Bowl
Old Match-up
Northwestern (6-6) vs Texas A&M (6-6)
New Match-up
Jackson State (9-2) vs Air Force (7-5)
Another traditional African-American college playing close to home.
Northwestern (6-6) vs Texas A&M (6-6)
New Match-up
Jackson State (9-2) vs Air Force (7-5)
Another traditional African-American college playing close to home.
Liberty Bowl
Old Match-up
Cincinnati (9-3) vs Vanderbilt (6-6)
New Match-up
Arkansas State (10-2) vs Wofford (8-4)
The Terriers and the Red Wolves would have both been excited to play here.
Cincinnati (9-3) vs Vanderbilt (6-6)
New Match-up
Arkansas State (10-2) vs Wofford (8-4)
The Terriers and the Red Wolves would have both been excited to play here.
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
Old Match-up
Illinois (6-6) vs UCLA (6-7)
New Match-up
BYU (9-3) vs Boise State (11-1)
Had to find a way to bring the Cougars and the Broncos together.
Illinois (6-6) vs UCLA (6-7)
New Match-up
BYU (9-3) vs Boise State (11-1)
Had to find a way to bring the Cougars and the Broncos together.
Gator Bowl
Old Match-up
Florida (6-6) vs Ohio State (6-6)
New Match-up
Cincinnati (9-3) vs Tulsa (8-4)
The traditional Gator Bowl, which has BCS aspirations, would not have settled for an FCS school.
Florida (6-6) vs Ohio State (6-6)
New Match-up
Cincinnati (9-3) vs Tulsa (8-4)
The traditional Gator Bowl, which has BCS aspirations, would not have settled for an FCS school.
BBVA Compass Bowl
Old Match-up
Pittsburgh (6-6) vs SMU (7-5)
New Match-up
Alabama State (8-3) vs North Carolina (7-5)
UNC playing closer to home.
Pittsburgh (6-6) vs SMU (7-5)
New Match-up
Alabama State (8-3) vs North Carolina (7-5)
UNC playing closer to home.
GoDaddy.com Bowl
Old Match-up
Arkansas State (10-2) vs Northern Illinois (10-3)
New Match-up
Old Dominion (10-3) vs Northern Illinois (10-3)
If I were to bet on an FCS team beating an FBS team in a bowl, this would be the game.
In conclusion, I agree that a 6-6 team is not worthy of a bowl appears. I also agree that there are too many bowl games and some need to go away. With 4 or 5 bowl games gone, in most years a FCS team will not be needed, but 2011 was unusual. But perhaps Harvard with the season they had in 2011 deserved some sort of post-season. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out in the end.
Arkansas State (10-2) vs Northern Illinois (10-3)
New Match-up
Old Dominion (10-3) vs Northern Illinois (10-3)
If I were to bet on an FCS team beating an FBS team in a bowl, this would be the game.
In conclusion, I agree that a 6-6 team is not worthy of a bowl appears. I also agree that there are too many bowl games and some need to go away. With 4 or 5 bowl games gone, in most years a FCS team will not be needed, but 2011 was unusual. But perhaps Harvard with the season they had in 2011 deserved some sort of post-season. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out in the end.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Did the mtn. cause the demise of the MWC?
Yes, the Mountain West Conference survives, but only as a ghost of it's former self; and in 2013, will live with likely only half of it's original members. Yes, some turnover was inevitable, but not all of it. Some of the problems with the MWC can be blamed on the mtn.
TCU would not have turned down the opportunity to go to the Big 12 and Utah would not have turned down the possibility of going to the PAC 12. Otherwise, the conference should have remained in-tact.
BYU's main problem is that the mtn would not let BYUtv broadcast games not on the mtn, nor would they let BYUtv rebroadcast games. If BYU could have have utilized BYUtv in this manner, BYU would have stuck with the MWC.
It is arguable that a conference with Boise State, BYU, TCU and Utah would be BCS worthy. It is debatable if a BYU/Boise State conference could become BCS worthy, but the Big East thought well enough of that partnership to give BYU an invite, which the Cougars spurned. But the western expansion of the Big East has trouble written all over it and the Cougars were smart to avoid it.
I contend however, that BYU and Boise State could not alone hold up the MWC as a BCS conference with the likes of UNLV, Colorado State and New Mexico. It has never been the top teams in the MWC that has been the problem, it has been the lower teams. It would have been nice if the top tier teams in the old MWC...Boise State, Utah, BYU and TCU could have joined the top tier teams in the WAC for a new conference...Fresno State, and Nevada. They could have brought along Air Force and San Diego State for good measure.
But at least what is left in the MWC is stable...Fresno State, Nevada, Hawaii, Colorado State, Wyoming, UNLV and New Mexico are not going anywhere. Fresno State has attractive market potential, but they are not yet ready to play with the Big Boys. Nevada and Colorado State, maybe one day will have that market potential as well. For now, it would be a good conference for Utah State and San Jose State to join.
If the Big East fails, there is space for Boise State and San Diego State.
The only threat to the MWC now; let's say that if the Big East fails and then Boise State and BYU get together for a new conference. There is a good chance at a portion of their old MWC buddies will become friends again. But for now, the MWC may be a shadow of it's former self and stable and far from a demise.
But the mtn certain did not help matters much.
TCU would not have turned down the opportunity to go to the Big 12 and Utah would not have turned down the possibility of going to the PAC 12. Otherwise, the conference should have remained in-tact.
BYU's main problem is that the mtn would not let BYUtv broadcast games not on the mtn, nor would they let BYUtv rebroadcast games. If BYU could have have utilized BYUtv in this manner, BYU would have stuck with the MWC.
It is arguable that a conference with Boise State, BYU, TCU and Utah would be BCS worthy. It is debatable if a BYU/Boise State conference could become BCS worthy, but the Big East thought well enough of that partnership to give BYU an invite, which the Cougars spurned. But the western expansion of the Big East has trouble written all over it and the Cougars were smart to avoid it.
I contend however, that BYU and Boise State could not alone hold up the MWC as a BCS conference with the likes of UNLV, Colorado State and New Mexico. It has never been the top teams in the MWC that has been the problem, it has been the lower teams. It would have been nice if the top tier teams in the old MWC...Boise State, Utah, BYU and TCU could have joined the top tier teams in the WAC for a new conference...Fresno State, and Nevada. They could have brought along Air Force and San Diego State for good measure.
But at least what is left in the MWC is stable...Fresno State, Nevada, Hawaii, Colorado State, Wyoming, UNLV and New Mexico are not going anywhere. Fresno State has attractive market potential, but they are not yet ready to play with the Big Boys. Nevada and Colorado State, maybe one day will have that market potential as well. For now, it would be a good conference for Utah State and San Jose State to join.
If the Big East fails, there is space for Boise State and San Diego State.
The only threat to the MWC now; let's say that if the Big East fails and then Boise State and BYU get together for a new conference. There is a good chance at a portion of their old MWC buddies will become friends again. But for now, the MWC may be a shadow of it's former self and stable and far from a demise.
But the mtn certain did not help matters much.
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