BYU does not have a bowl lined up for the 2014 post-season. And it may be a while before they do. There is a lot in flux for the bowls in 2014, the first year of a 4-team playoff. Many bowls don't know, right now, where they will be in the conference pecking order. All bowls have been certified for 2013, but some may not be around afterwards.
1. Due to not meeting the NCAA's 25,000 attendance threshold, the following bowls may not be around in 2014:
Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, has not been above this threshold for 4 years now. May not be around in 2013. In each of the past two seasons, the NCAA has had to approve exceptions and allow at least one sub-.500 team to play in a bowl game. In 2011, it was UCLA and in 2012 it was Georgia Tech. It makes sense to sacrifice one bowl game now. If this bowl is around for 2013, it will not be back in 2014 unless they draw a big crowd in 2013.
New Mexico Bowl, has only met this threshold 4-times in their 7-year existence. Only once when the hometown Lobos were not involved, did the crowd exceed 30,000. That was 2010 when BYU and UTEP played. The 2011 game between Wyoming and Temple was a small choir over 25,000. This game may last until 2015, but don't be surprised if it does not unless the Lobos work their way back to this game in 2013.
Military Bowl , has not met this threshold for the last two seasons; but who do you expect to fly to Washington DC in December to see San Jose State and Bowling Green? I would not expect this game to last beyond 2013 unless West Virginia, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Maryland or Navy gets in the 2013 game. They have to have a realistic alignment. The last choice for the ACC plus Army isn't going to get a matchup that will fill seats.
The Following Bowls do not yet have a 2014 conference tie-in:
Heart of Dallas Bowl--vs. Big 10 as the Big 12 contract does not go past 2013. However, this game is in the heart of Big 12 country and is also near SMU. It will probably be Big East or Big 12.
Pinstripe Bowl--Both Conference tie-ins expire after 2013. I don't expect a bowl in New York to be interested in the Cougars. I expect the conference that Rutgers is in will get one seat. The conference that UConn is in should get the other.
Military Bowl--No Conference tie-ins for 2014, but may fold. I also do not expect this bowl to be interested in the Cougars considering their poor attendance in 2013 with a west-coast team.
Poinsettia Bowl--Rotation would have been Navy in 2014, but the Goats will join the Big East in 2014. With SDSU leaving the Big East at the altar, I doubt that the Big East will want to have anything to do with San Diego in 2014.
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl--vs. Pac-12, no conference tie-in for 2014, but BYU plays here in 2013.
Sun Bowl--vs ACC, Pac-12 contract expires after 2013, the ACC Contract automatically renews. This may be the longest-standing bowl that would be interested in BYU. But I expect the PAC-12 to renew their contract unless that conference get's accesses to what is now called the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in Tempe.
Possible New Bowls
Care Bowl, Orlando Florida
Los Angeles Christmas Bowl
These bowls were proposed for the 2011 season, but the NCAA put a moratorium on new bowls beginning in 2011. This bowls could be approved if other bowls get un-certified.
There was also talk of a new bowl game in Salt Lake City for the 2009 season, but the NCAA refused to certify it. However, if the New Mexico Bowl folds, talk of a Salt Lake City bowl will resurface.
Bronco Mendenhall has said that BYU is being courted by several bowls for 2014. However, I suspect that most bowls are happy with their current arrangements. They draw good crowds and are profitable. However, many are likely concerned what their standing will be when the fallout from the BCS 4-game playoff is fully realized. The list of bowls that BYU could go to in 2014 could be larger. BYU travels well, and has fans all over the country.
The Holiday Bowl has been rumored not to be happy that they were knocked below the Alamo Bowl in the pecking order for the PAC-12 and the Big 12. However, they have also said that they will not court BYU in 2014. But don't be surprised if they court BYU for their 40th anniversary in 2018.
Tom Holmoe hinted that BYU might be looking to go with into a partnership with a conference on their bowl games, similar to what Notre Dame had with the Big East, until this coming season. Of course Notre Dame was eligible for the BCS on their own merits, and the Big East Champion was automatically qualified for the BCS. But a similar alliance with BYU and the MWC would be more complicated.
I would think that the only conference that BYU could partner with is the Mountain West Conference. Currently, here are the bowl that the MWC partners with.
1. Las Vegas Bowl
2. Poinsettia Bowl
3. Armed Forces Bowl
4. Hawaii Bowl (If Hawaii is Bowl Eligible, they will go here.)
5. New Mexico Bowl
6. Potato Bowl
BYU could come into the picture, theoretically, with the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. The KFHB would have the 3rd pick on the list. BYU would be able to be an option for any bowl on the list, unless the MWC champion is not selected for a BCS bowl. If the MWC champion is selected for a BCS bowl, the Las Vegas Bowl is free to choose BYU. If Hawaii is the MWC champion, they still go to the Hawaii Bowl. The Las Vegas Bowl would be able to chose BYU. If BYU makes the BCS or if BYU is not bowl eligible, the MWC gets another post-season pic.
Of the teams that make up the MWC in 2013, 7 were in post-season play in 2012: Air Force, Nevada, Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Utah State and San Jose State.
New Information:
I have seen reports that BYU's bowl prospects have dimmed because of their poor performance in the 2012 season. Tom Holmoe would like to work the Cougars into a higher-tier bowl, but need to prove that they can handle the competition. Hence the urgency to get Robert Anae back and get the offense rolling again.
My guess is that BYU ends the 2014 playing in the inaugural Los Angeles Christmas Bowl against the PAC-12 8th choice or a team from Conference-USA should the PAC-12 not have 8 bowl eligible teams.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
BYU 2013 Schedule complete...A look into the known future
The 2013 BYU Schedule is complete. There were a few changes since the beginning of the year. First, MTSU joined Conference USA a year early, necessitating that the game scheduled for November 16 get moved from middle November to September. Idaho State filled in that date. Second, when Boise State and San Diego State left the Big East Conference at the altar, the MWC decided to break into divisions and host a championship game. That move canceled the scheduled December 7th date in Hawaii. BYU and Hawaii also canceled a 2014 date in Provo. Nevada, who was looking to lighten a schedule that includes a road trip to Florida State, dropped Oregon to have the Cougars in Reno. Nevada will in turn travel to Provo in 2014 and 2019.
2013 Schedule--Official and Final
August 31 @ Virginia
September 7 Texas
September 14 bye
September 21 Utah
September 27 (Friday) Middle Tennessee
October 4 @ Utah State
October 12 Georgia Tech
October 19 @ Houston
October 26 Boise State
November 2 bye
November 9 @ Wisconsin
November 16 Idaho State
November 23 @ Notre Dame
November 30 @ Nevada
Bowl: Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
2014 Schedule--Tentative and unofficial
August 30--Open
September 6--@ Texas
September 13--Open
September 20--Virginia
September 27--Houston
October 3--Utah State
October 11--Open
October 18--Nevada
October 25--@ Boise State
November 1--Middle Tennessee
November 8--Southern Mississippi
November 15--UNLV
November 22--Open
November 28--Open
TBA--@UCF
Needed 3 Road Games
2015
September 5--@ Nebraska
September 12--Boise State
September 19--Open
September 26--@ Michigan
October 2--Utah State
October 10--Open
October 17--@ Southern Mississippi
October 24--Cincinnati
October 31--Open
November 7--Open
November 14--@ UNLV
November 21--Open
November 28--Open
TBA--@ Hawaii
Needed: 3 home games and 1 road game
2016
September 3--Open
September 10--@ Utah (Rumored date, the game has been agreed to.)
September 15--@ Boise State
September 24--vs West Virginia @ Fed Ex Field in Landover, MD
October 1 (Or September 30)--Open, but probably @ Utah State
October 8--Open
October 15--Open
October 22--Open
October 29--Open
November 5--Open
November 12--Open
November 19--Open
November 26--Open
December 3--Open
TBA: Hawaii
Needed 5 home games and 2 road games
2017
September 3--Wisconsin
September 7--Boise State
September 16--Open
September 23--Open
September 30 (But probably September 29)--Open, but probably Utah State
October 7--Open
October 14--Open
October 21--Open
October 28--Open
November 4--Open
November 11--Open
November 18--Open
November 25--Open
December 2--Open
TBA--@ East Carolina
Needed: 3 home games, 5 road games
2018
October 20--@ Boise State
TBA--East Carolina, @ Wisconsin
2019
September 14--@ Washington State
September 21--Nevada
October 12--Boise State
Only game scheduled 2020 and beyond...Boise State
Dates TBA--2 Notre Dame, 2 @ Notre Dame
TBA--Continuation of Hawaii Series
Possible dates for Notre Dame Series
2015--October 31
2016--October 15 or October 22
2017--October 14, October 21 or October 28
2013 Schedule--Official and Final
August 31 @ Virginia
September 7 Texas
September 14 bye
September 21 Utah
September 27 (Friday) Middle Tennessee
October 4 @ Utah State
October 12 Georgia Tech
October 19 @ Houston
October 26 Boise State
November 2 bye
November 9 @ Wisconsin
November 16 Idaho State
November 23 @ Notre Dame
November 30 @ Nevada
Bowl: Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
2014 Schedule--Tentative and unofficial
August 30--Open
September 6--@ Texas
September 13--Open
September 20--Virginia
September 27--Houston
October 3--Utah State
October 11--Open
October 18--Nevada
October 25--@ Boise State
November 1--Middle Tennessee
November 8--Southern Mississippi
November 15--UNLV
November 22--Open
November 28--Open
TBA--@UCF
Needed 3 Road Games
2015
September 5--@ Nebraska
September 12--Boise State
September 19--Open
September 26--@ Michigan
October 2--Utah State
October 10--Open
October 17--@ Southern Mississippi
October 24--Cincinnati
October 31--Open
November 7--Open
November 14--@ UNLV
November 21--Open
November 28--Open
TBA--@ Hawaii
Needed: 3 home games and 1 road game
2016
September 3--Open
September 10--@ Utah (Rumored date, the game has been agreed to.)
September 15--@ Boise State
September 24--vs West Virginia @ Fed Ex Field in Landover, MD
October 1 (Or September 30)--Open, but probably @ Utah State
October 8--Open
October 15--Open
October 22--Open
October 29--Open
November 5--Open
November 12--Open
November 19--Open
November 26--Open
December 3--Open
TBA: Hawaii
Needed 5 home games and 2 road games
2017
September 3--Wisconsin
September 7--Boise State
September 16--Open
September 23--Open
September 30 (But probably September 29)--Open, but probably Utah State
October 7--Open
October 14--Open
October 21--Open
October 28--Open
November 4--Open
November 11--Open
November 18--Open
November 25--Open
December 2--Open
TBA--@ East Carolina
Needed: 3 home games, 5 road games
2018
October 20--@ Boise State
TBA--East Carolina, @ Wisconsin
2019
September 14--@ Washington State
September 21--Nevada
October 12--Boise State
Only game scheduled 2020 and beyond...Boise State
Dates TBA--2 Notre Dame, 2 @ Notre Dame
TBA--Continuation of Hawaii Series
Possible dates for Notre Dame Series
2015--October 31
2016--October 15 or October 22
2017--October 14, October 21 or October 28
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Mountain West Divisional Alignment Official
Here is the MWC Divisional Alignment.
Mountain Division
Air Force
Boise State
Colorado State
New Mexico
Utah State
Wyoming
West Division
Fresno State
Hawaii
Nevada
UNLV
San Diego State
San Jose State
Each team in the conference will play 5 divisional games and 3 cross divisional games. The championship game will be played December 7, 2013 at the home stadium of the higher BCS-Ranked team. The conference will not break into divisions for the other sports, as Hawaii is a football-only member. They will play an 18-game schedule for basketball. For basketball, there each team will play 8 teams twice and the remaining 2 opponents once. That will be handled on a rotational basis.
The BYU/Hawaii game will be rescheduled. It may not be Hawaii that BYU plays. It will be a road game for the Cougars and if not Hawaii, another team in the conference.
No word on the USU Aggies final schedule, yet.
Mountain Division
Air Force
Boise State
Colorado State
New Mexico
Utah State
Wyoming
West Division
Fresno State
Hawaii
Nevada
UNLV
San Diego State
San Jose State
Each team in the conference will play 5 divisional games and 3 cross divisional games. The championship game will be played December 7, 2013 at the home stadium of the higher BCS-Ranked team. The conference will not break into divisions for the other sports, as Hawaii is a football-only member. They will play an 18-game schedule for basketball. For basketball, there each team will play 8 teams twice and the remaining 2 opponents once. That will be handled on a rotational basis.
The BYU/Hawaii game will be rescheduled. It may not be Hawaii that BYU plays. It will be a road game for the Cougars and if not Hawaii, another team in the conference.
No word on the USU Aggies final schedule, yet.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Utah State in the Mountain West Conference
How will Utah State do in the Mountain West Conference next year? There are a lot of factors in play.
1. How will Matt Wells be as a head coach? This will be Well's first season as a head football coach. But he is ready for that responsibility. He graduated with a degree in Marketing cum laude. He should be able to use those smarts to recruit qualified talent and bring people to the games. He has been an assistant football coach since 1997, last serving as least-season's offensive coordinator. He also has the smarts not to serve as his own offensive coordinator, but will focus on the entire team. The only real question is if the Aggie defense will continue to respond to Wells the way that they did to Gary Anderson. But the returning seniors can help carry on the tradition for at least one more season.
2. How will the divisions align in the MWC? There is a very natural divisional alignment in the new MWC. There are 6 schools in the Mountain Time Zone, there are 5 schools in the Pacific Time Zone and there is Hawaii. It seems obvious to put Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, New Mexico, Utah State and Wyoming in one division. The other division will be Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, UNLV, San Diego State and San Jose State.
3. How will the schedule come out? The Aggies have 4 non-conference games lined up. They have home games against Weber State and BYU. Their road games are Utah and USC. The Aggies should win at least 2 of these games, and could potentially will all 4. We do not know how the MWC schedule will work out. If they are in the same division as Colorado State, they should get the Rams at home. Boise State has much been given a lot of power in the MWC, and USU is likely the biggest threat to the Broncos. Chances are that game will be on the blue carpet, even though they last played in Boise.
But here is how it could work, and let me state this is just a guess.
MWC home games
Colorado State
Air Force or New Mexico
Cross-divisional game or Wyoming
Cross-divisional game
MWC Road Games
Boise State
Air Force or New Mexico
Cross-divisional game or Wyoming
Cross-divisional game
As far as the cross-divisional foes go, USU played at UNLV and San Jose State last season. I am not sure the MWC athletic directors will take that into consideration. The Aggies have played every team that seem destined for the other division in the last 5 seasons. Considering history, if I were USU, I would be most itching to play San Diego State at home. Only 3 of their 11 meetings have been in Logan. They last beat the Aztecs in 1967 and the last 3 games in this series have been in San Diego. The last time SDSU came to play at Utah State was 1975. More on history below.
If the MWC uses history as a guide, this will be USU's schedule
Home MWC games
Air Force
Colorado State
San Diego State
UNLV
MWC Road games
Boise State
New Mexico
Wyoming
Nevada
If the MWC is smart, the game between USU and Boise State will be played on the week after Thanksgiving as this has the potential to be two nationally-ranked programs playing for a divisional championship.
Here is a look at the history USU has with other teams in the Mountain West Conference. At one time or another, USU has been in the same conference with all but 2 of their new conference rivals. USU only has a winning record against 2 of their new conference rivals. But USU has won their last meeting against 6 of the 11. The only MWC team USU has never beaten is Air Force.
Air Force...0-1...Only meeting, 1969 in Colorado Springs...38-13 Air Force
Never before have USU and Air Force been in the same conference.
Boise State...4-13...Last meeting, 2010 in Boise...50-14 BSU...Last Aggie Win...1997 in Logan...24-20.
USU and BSU were conference rivals in the Big West Conference from 1996 to 2000 and were in the WAC together from 2005 to 2010.
Colorado State...31-36-2...Last meeting, 2012 in Fort Collins...31-19 USU
From 1909 to 1937 both USU and CSU were together in the old Rocky Mountain Conference. From 1938 to 1961 both were members of the Mountain States Conference.
Fresno State...10-16-1...Last meeting, 2010 in Fresno...31-21 FSU...last Aggie Win...2006 in Logan 13-12 (With Riley Nelson at QB)
From 1977 to 2000 both schools were members of the Big West Conference and from 2005 to 2010 both were members of the WAC.
Hawaii...6-6...Last meeting, 2010 in Honolulu...35-31 USU
From 2005 to 2010 both were members of the WAC.
Nevada...5-17...Last meeting, 2011 in Logan...21-17 USU
From 1992 to 2000 both schools were members of the Big West. From 2005 to 2010 both were members of the WAC.
UNLV...13-7...Last meeting, 2012 in Las Vegas...35-13 USU
From 1982 to 1995, UNLV and USU were both members of the Big West Conference.
New Mexico...8-11...Last meeting, 2003 in Albuquerque...34-7 UNM...Last Aggie win...2002 in Logan 45-44 USU
USU and New Mexico were both members of the MSC from 1951 to 1961.
San Diego State...1-10...Last meeting, 2010 in San Diego...41-7 SDSU...only Aggie Win 1967 in San Diego...31-25
USU and San Diego State have never before been conference rivals.
San Jose State..14-21-1...last meeting, 2012 in San Jose...35-27 USU
San Jose State and USU were both in the Big West from 1977 to 1995. Both were in the WAC from 2005 to 2012
Wyoming...35-24-4...last meeting, 2011 in Logan...63-19 USU
USU and Wyoming were in the RMC together from 1907 to 1937 and were in the MSC from 1938 to 1961.
1. How will Matt Wells be as a head coach? This will be Well's first season as a head football coach. But he is ready for that responsibility. He graduated with a degree in Marketing cum laude. He should be able to use those smarts to recruit qualified talent and bring people to the games. He has been an assistant football coach since 1997, last serving as least-season's offensive coordinator. He also has the smarts not to serve as his own offensive coordinator, but will focus on the entire team. The only real question is if the Aggie defense will continue to respond to Wells the way that they did to Gary Anderson. But the returning seniors can help carry on the tradition for at least one more season.
2. How will the divisions align in the MWC? There is a very natural divisional alignment in the new MWC. There are 6 schools in the Mountain Time Zone, there are 5 schools in the Pacific Time Zone and there is Hawaii. It seems obvious to put Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, New Mexico, Utah State and Wyoming in one division. The other division will be Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, UNLV, San Diego State and San Jose State.
3. How will the schedule come out? The Aggies have 4 non-conference games lined up. They have home games against Weber State and BYU. Their road games are Utah and USC. The Aggies should win at least 2 of these games, and could potentially will all 4. We do not know how the MWC schedule will work out. If they are in the same division as Colorado State, they should get the Rams at home. Boise State has much been given a lot of power in the MWC, and USU is likely the biggest threat to the Broncos. Chances are that game will be on the blue carpet, even though they last played in Boise.
But here is how it could work, and let me state this is just a guess.
MWC home games
Colorado State
Air Force or New Mexico
Cross-divisional game or Wyoming
Cross-divisional game
MWC Road Games
Boise State
Air Force or New Mexico
Cross-divisional game or Wyoming
Cross-divisional game
As far as the cross-divisional foes go, USU played at UNLV and San Jose State last season. I am not sure the MWC athletic directors will take that into consideration. The Aggies have played every team that seem destined for the other division in the last 5 seasons. Considering history, if I were USU, I would be most itching to play San Diego State at home. Only 3 of their 11 meetings have been in Logan. They last beat the Aztecs in 1967 and the last 3 games in this series have been in San Diego. The last time SDSU came to play at Utah State was 1975. More on history below.
If the MWC uses history as a guide, this will be USU's schedule
Home MWC games
Air Force
Colorado State
San Diego State
UNLV
MWC Road games
Boise State
New Mexico
Wyoming
Nevada
If the MWC is smart, the game between USU and Boise State will be played on the week after Thanksgiving as this has the potential to be two nationally-ranked programs playing for a divisional championship.
Here is a look at the history USU has with other teams in the Mountain West Conference. At one time or another, USU has been in the same conference with all but 2 of their new conference rivals. USU only has a winning record against 2 of their new conference rivals. But USU has won their last meeting against 6 of the 11. The only MWC team USU has never beaten is Air Force.
Air Force...0-1...Only meeting, 1969 in Colorado Springs...38-13 Air Force
Never before have USU and Air Force been in the same conference.
Boise State...4-13...Last meeting, 2010 in Boise...50-14 BSU...Last Aggie Win...1997 in Logan...24-20.
USU and BSU were conference rivals in the Big West Conference from 1996 to 2000 and were in the WAC together from 2005 to 2010.
Colorado State...31-36-2...Last meeting, 2012 in Fort Collins...31-19 USU
From 1909 to 1937 both USU and CSU were together in the old Rocky Mountain Conference. From 1938 to 1961 both were members of the Mountain States Conference.
Fresno State...10-16-1...Last meeting, 2010 in Fresno...31-21 FSU...last Aggie Win...2006 in Logan 13-12 (With Riley Nelson at QB)
From 1977 to 2000 both schools were members of the Big West Conference and from 2005 to 2010 both were members of the WAC.
Hawaii...6-6...Last meeting, 2010 in Honolulu...35-31 USU
From 2005 to 2010 both were members of the WAC.
Nevada...5-17...Last meeting, 2011 in Logan...21-17 USU
From 1992 to 2000 both schools were members of the Big West. From 2005 to 2010 both were members of the WAC.
UNLV...13-7...Last meeting, 2012 in Las Vegas...35-13 USU
From 1982 to 1995, UNLV and USU were both members of the Big West Conference.
New Mexico...8-11...Last meeting, 2003 in Albuquerque...34-7 UNM...Last Aggie win...2002 in Logan 45-44 USU
USU and New Mexico were both members of the MSC from 1951 to 1961.
San Diego State...1-10...Last meeting, 2010 in San Diego...41-7 SDSU...only Aggie Win 1967 in San Diego...31-25
USU and San Diego State have never before been conference rivals.
San Jose State..14-21-1...last meeting, 2012 in San Jose...35-27 USU
San Jose State and USU were both in the Big West from 1977 to 1995. Both were in the WAC from 2005 to 2012
Wyoming...35-24-4...last meeting, 2011 in Logan...63-19 USU
USU and Wyoming were in the RMC together from 1907 to 1937 and were in the MSC from 1938 to 1961.
Friday, January 18, 2013
BYU's 2013 Schedule is complete?
This has not yet been confirmed by any source close to BYU. According to FBSchedules.com, Matt Gittins at the NBC affiliate in Pocatello and interpreting the MTSU schedule; unless BYU uses the Hawaii exception, their schedule is complete. Here it is.
August 31 @ Virginia
September 7 Texas
September 14 @Hawaii
September 21 Utah
September 28 Middle Tennessee
October 4 (Fri) @ Utah State
October 12 Georgia Tech
October 19 @ Houston
October 26 Boise State
November 2 (BYE)
November 9 @ Wisconsin
November 16 Idaho State
November 23 @ Notre Dame
Will BYU use the Hawaii exception? If Hawaii cancels their game vs Army (50/50 chance they will be pressured to do so by the other MWC athletic directors to ease scheduling.), I would expect that BYU will fill in and play the Black Nights on November 30 in Provo. Otherwise, this appears to be final. But, with finances the way they are in the MWC, don't expect this to happen. I do not expect BYU to use the Hawaii exception unless someone is willing to meet them in Provo on November 30th or December 7th. Chances are not good for that to happen. There are possibilities, namely Syracuse, but I am not expecting it.
The MTSU game could be November 2nd. However, they would make a nice homecoming opponent for BYU. The Hawaii game could also be November 2nd, but the MWC may not like that.
Gittins is the one reporting that BYU and Hawaii are rescheduled. It will likely not be official until next Monday when the MWC athletic directors meet.
There were signs and hints that BYU and Air Force were going to play in 2013. Air Force has 7 home games scheduled in 2013. Before Boise State and San Diego State returned to the MWC, it looked like AFA would play at Hawaii and could have used the Hawaii exception to play at BYU. But with the MWC splitting into divisions, that is no longer possible.
Most tweets from observers seem to agree that the MWC divisions will be as follows: Fresno State/Hawaii/Nevada/UNLV/SDSU and SJSU in one division and Air Force/Boise State/Colorado State/New Mexico/Utah State and Wyoming in the other. It is really hard to argue this alignment. 6 teams in the Mountain Time Zone together in one division. 5 teams from the Pacific Time Zone plus Hawaii together in one division. It is almost too obvious.
An 8 game schedule means all 5 opponents from your division plus 3 opponents from the other division to have 4 home games and 4 road games. Based upon the 2012 schedule, Hawaii would play San Diego State and Fresno State at home with UNLV on the road. They did not play Nevada nor SJSU in 2012. They will probably split these two and play one at home and one on the road. If CSU is to play UH in Honolulu, the other two cross-divisional games would be on the road for UH. AFA can't play UH in Honolulu and can't schedule a 13th game.
Why does Colorado State have to be the one to play at Hawaii? It has to happen this way because CSU has already scheduled a 13th game against UTEP. If they do not travel to Hawaii, then CSU must cancel the game. There are consequences for doing so, financial consequences. And the MWC is already trying figure out how to help Boise State and San Diego State pay Big East exit fees. They should not cancel any games if it can be avoided. The MWC schedule has to be built around this one game.
Hawaii's games:
Home MWC games for Hawaii:
San Diego State
Fresno State
San Jose State or Nevada
Colorado State
Road MWC Games for Hawaii:
UNLV
San Jose State or Nevada
Boise State or New Mexico
Utah State or Wyoming
Hawaii and AFA probably will not even meet in 2012.
This explains the following tweet from Tom Holmoe...
FINALLY removed the dagger from my back after a restless night. Now it's time to move forward!
Hence, the schedule is complete with the addition of Idaho State. Who, according to Sagarin, was one of the worst FCS team last year, even with super-stud receiver Roderick Rumble. Unfortunately, Rumble has exhausted his eligibility. It is hard to see the Bengals being any better in 2013. Hopefully, being at Idaho State did little to hurt Rumble's NFL chances. Hopefully, ISU figures out how to give their opponents more of a game.
But enough commentary on Idaho State. Some BYU fans will be disappointed with the addition of Idaho State while others will say that the schedule was already tough enough and ISU will be a welcome relief, especially between road games at Wisconsin and Notre Dame. MTSU on November 16th would have been a classic trap game.
August 31 @ Virginia
September 7 Texas
September 14 @Hawaii
September 21 Utah
September 28 Middle Tennessee
October 4 (Fri) @ Utah State
October 12 Georgia Tech
October 19 @ Houston
October 26 Boise State
November 2 (BYE)
November 9 @ Wisconsin
November 16 Idaho State
November 23 @ Notre Dame
Will BYU use the Hawaii exception? If Hawaii cancels their game vs Army (50/50 chance they will be pressured to do so by the other MWC athletic directors to ease scheduling.), I would expect that BYU will fill in and play the Black Nights on November 30 in Provo. Otherwise, this appears to be final. But, with finances the way they are in the MWC, don't expect this to happen. I do not expect BYU to use the Hawaii exception unless someone is willing to meet them in Provo on November 30th or December 7th. Chances are not good for that to happen. There are possibilities, namely Syracuse, but I am not expecting it.
The MTSU game could be November 2nd. However, they would make a nice homecoming opponent for BYU. The Hawaii game could also be November 2nd, but the MWC may not like that.
Gittins is the one reporting that BYU and Hawaii are rescheduled. It will likely not be official until next Monday when the MWC athletic directors meet.
There were signs and hints that BYU and Air Force were going to play in 2013. Air Force has 7 home games scheduled in 2013. Before Boise State and San Diego State returned to the MWC, it looked like AFA would play at Hawaii and could have used the Hawaii exception to play at BYU. But with the MWC splitting into divisions, that is no longer possible.
Most tweets from observers seem to agree that the MWC divisions will be as follows: Fresno State/Hawaii/Nevada/UNLV/SDSU and SJSU in one division and Air Force/Boise State/Colorado State/New Mexico/Utah State and Wyoming in the other. It is really hard to argue this alignment. 6 teams in the Mountain Time Zone together in one division. 5 teams from the Pacific Time Zone plus Hawaii together in one division. It is almost too obvious.
An 8 game schedule means all 5 opponents from your division plus 3 opponents from the other division to have 4 home games and 4 road games. Based upon the 2012 schedule, Hawaii would play San Diego State and Fresno State at home with UNLV on the road. They did not play Nevada nor SJSU in 2012. They will probably split these two and play one at home and one on the road. If CSU is to play UH in Honolulu, the other two cross-divisional games would be on the road for UH. AFA can't play UH in Honolulu and can't schedule a 13th game.
Why does Colorado State have to be the one to play at Hawaii? It has to happen this way because CSU has already scheduled a 13th game against UTEP. If they do not travel to Hawaii, then CSU must cancel the game. There are consequences for doing so, financial consequences. And the MWC is already trying figure out how to help Boise State and San Diego State pay Big East exit fees. They should not cancel any games if it can be avoided. The MWC schedule has to be built around this one game.
Hawaii's games:
Home MWC games for Hawaii:
San Diego State
Fresno State
San Jose State or Nevada
Colorado State
Road MWC Games for Hawaii:
UNLV
San Jose State or Nevada
Boise State or New Mexico
Utah State or Wyoming
Hawaii and AFA probably will not even meet in 2012.
This explains the following tweet from Tom Holmoe...
FINALLY removed the dagger from my back after a restless night. Now it's time to move forward!
Hence, the schedule is complete with the addition of Idaho State. Who, according to Sagarin, was one of the worst FCS team last year, even with super-stud receiver Roderick Rumble. Unfortunately, Rumble has exhausted his eligibility. It is hard to see the Bengals being any better in 2013. Hopefully, being at Idaho State did little to hurt Rumble's NFL chances. Hopefully, ISU figures out how to give their opponents more of a game.
But enough commentary on Idaho State. Some BYU fans will be disappointed with the addition of Idaho State while others will say that the schedule was already tough enough and ISU will be a welcome relief, especially between road games at Wisconsin and Notre Dame. MTSU on November 16th would have been a classic trap game.
Monday, January 14, 2013
BYU's 2013 Schedule as of January 2013.
Updated January 17, 2013
As of January 16, 2013, BYU may have 2 games to schedule in 2013. Last week on twitter, Tom Holmoe was presented with a list of FBS teams that still need to schedule a 2013 game. He was asked if the final 2013 opponent would be one of these teams or an FCS team, he said, "Guess again."
This means that BYU's 12th 2013 opponent will be neither a team on that list: Duke, Syracuse, Wake Forest, Marshall, Tulane, Missouri or Texas State nor an FCS opponent. That leaves 2 options: 1. A team that can use the Hawaii exception or a team that has a cancellation that has not been made public.
I believed that Air Force would be that 12th game, but that appears not to be in place any longer. In fact, the 12 team MWC takes away a lot of options for BYU.
But, here are some possibilities:
1. Arkansas: If the game at Hawaii is canceled, it is known that Southern Mississippi is trying to soften their schedule. BYU and Arkansas could hook up in 2013 in Fayetteville, none the less. There would be no better time to get this done.
2. UTEP: Colorado State has scheduled UTEP as a 13th game. If they do not end up playing at Hawaii, then they will have to cancel this game. BYU could pick it up.
3. Army: Hawaii may cancel a game because of the championship game. BYU sells tickets in Hawaii, Army is not such a big sell. It would make more money for Hawaii to cancel Army and reschedule BYU. BYU and Amry could then hook up.
4. San Jose State, Nevada or San Diego State...someone who plays on the road at Hawaii could schedule BYU.
BYU's 2013 schedule:
August 31 @ Virginia
September 7 Texas
September 14 Open: Possibilities--@Hawaii, @Arkansas or FCS.
September 21 Utah
September 28 Open: Possibilities--@Hawaii, San Jose State, UTEP or FCS
October 4 (Friday) @ Utah State
October 12 Georgia Tech
October 19 @ Houston
October 26 Boise State
November 2 Open: Possibilities: Nevada, San Diego State or San Jose State
November 9 @ Wisconsin
November 16 Middle Tennessee
November 23 @ Notre Dame
November 30 Open: Possible: Army
December 7@ Hawaii (Will be dropped or rescheduled.)
According to Hawaii's chat board, the BYU @ Hawaii game will be dropped and not rescheduled. The reason is that Hawaii has 13 games scheduled and they don't need to reschedule the game. However, Hawaii sells a lot of tickets when BYU comes to town. I have a difficult time believing that the game will just get dropped.
It will be no sooner than 1/21 before this is resolved. The MWC Athletic Directors will get together on Monday to determine divisions and schedules. Most tweets from observers seem to agree that the MWC divisions will be as follows: Fresno State/Hawaii/Nevada/UNLV/SDSU and SJSU in one division and Air Force/Boise State/Colorado State/New Mexico/Utah State and Wyoming in the other.
An 8 game schedule means all 5 opponents from your division plus 3 opponents from the other division to have 4 home games and 4 road games. Based upon the 2012 schedule, Hawaii would play San Diego State and Fresno State at home with UNLV on the road. They did not play Nevada nor SJSU in 2012. They will probably split these two. If CSU is to play CSU in Honolulu, the other two cross-divisional games would be in the road. Air Force and BYU probably will not happen.
Hawaii's games:
Home MWC games:
San Diego State
Fresno State
San Jose State or Nevada
Colorado State
Road MWC Games:
UNLV
San Jose State or Nevada
Boise State or New Mexico
Utah State or Wyoming
Hawaii could still keep BYU and Army on the schedule and still have a bye week in the season. But in 2012, Hawaii had 12 games and 2 bye weeks after Temple canceled their game at Hawaii. The other ADs in the MWC would need to be complicit.
We will no for certain after the MWC athletic directors meet next week.
My hunch is that BYU and Hawaii will reschedule their game and that BYU will finish their schedule against an FCS team.
As of January 16, 2013, BYU may have 2 games to schedule in 2013. Last week on twitter, Tom Holmoe was presented with a list of FBS teams that still need to schedule a 2013 game. He was asked if the final 2013 opponent would be one of these teams or an FCS team, he said, "Guess again."
This means that BYU's 12th 2013 opponent will be neither a team on that list: Duke, Syracuse, Wake Forest, Marshall, Tulane, Missouri or Texas State nor an FCS opponent. That leaves 2 options: 1. A team that can use the Hawaii exception or a team that has a cancellation that has not been made public.
I believed that Air Force would be that 12th game, but that appears not to be in place any longer. In fact, the 12 team MWC takes away a lot of options for BYU.
But, here are some possibilities:
1. Arkansas: If the game at Hawaii is canceled, it is known that Southern Mississippi is trying to soften their schedule. BYU and Arkansas could hook up in 2013 in Fayetteville, none the less. There would be no better time to get this done.
2. UTEP: Colorado State has scheduled UTEP as a 13th game. If they do not end up playing at Hawaii, then they will have to cancel this game. BYU could pick it up.
3. Army: Hawaii may cancel a game because of the championship game. BYU sells tickets in Hawaii, Army is not such a big sell. It would make more money for Hawaii to cancel Army and reschedule BYU. BYU and Amry could then hook up.
4. San Jose State, Nevada or San Diego State...someone who plays on the road at Hawaii could schedule BYU.
BYU's 2013 schedule:
August 31 @ Virginia
September 7 Texas
September 14 Open: Possibilities--@Hawaii, @Arkansas or FCS.
September 21 Utah
September 28 Open: Possibilities--@Hawaii, San Jose State, UTEP or FCS
October 4 (Friday) @ Utah State
October 12 Georgia Tech
October 19 @ Houston
October 26 Boise State
November 2 Open: Possibilities: Nevada, San Diego State or San Jose State
November 9 @ Wisconsin
November 16 Middle Tennessee
November 23 @ Notre Dame
November 30 Open: Possible: Army
December 7
According to Hawaii's chat board, the BYU @ Hawaii game will be dropped and not rescheduled. The reason is that Hawaii has 13 games scheduled and they don't need to reschedule the game. However, Hawaii sells a lot of tickets when BYU comes to town. I have a difficult time believing that the game will just get dropped.
It will be no sooner than 1/21 before this is resolved. The MWC Athletic Directors will get together on Monday to determine divisions and schedules. Most tweets from observers seem to agree that the MWC divisions will be as follows: Fresno State/Hawaii/Nevada/UNLV/SDSU and SJSU in one division and Air Force/Boise State/Colorado State/New Mexico/Utah State and Wyoming in the other.
An 8 game schedule means all 5 opponents from your division plus 3 opponents from the other division to have 4 home games and 4 road games. Based upon the 2012 schedule, Hawaii would play San Diego State and Fresno State at home with UNLV on the road. They did not play Nevada nor SJSU in 2012. They will probably split these two. If CSU is to play CSU in Honolulu, the other two cross-divisional games would be in the road. Air Force and BYU probably will not happen.
Hawaii's games:
Home MWC games:
San Diego State
Fresno State
San Jose State or Nevada
Colorado State
Road MWC Games:
UNLV
San Jose State or Nevada
Boise State or New Mexico
Utah State or Wyoming
Hawaii could still keep BYU and Army on the schedule and still have a bye week in the season. But in 2012, Hawaii had 12 games and 2 bye weeks after Temple canceled their game at Hawaii. The other ADs in the MWC would need to be complicit.
We will no for certain after the MWC athletic directors meet next week.
My hunch is that BYU and Hawaii will reschedule their game and that BYU will finish their schedule against an FCS team.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
SUU News: Brad Sorensen an NFL prospect.
It looks like the former SUU QB will have his chance to make the NFL...
Brad Sorensen's draft prospect.
Brad Sorensen's draft prospect.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Final 2012-13 Football Season Thoughts
BYU
-The Cougars were the most under-performing team in Utah according to Sagarin. The Computers show that the BYU should have beaten Utah, Boise State and San Jose State. In addition, BYU should have beaten Weber State, Hawaii and Idaho by larger margins than they did.
-BYU's best win was against Utah State, but according to the computer polls, the Cougars did not defeat anyone who they should have lost to.
-BYU was the only bowl team not to allow a touchdown.
-BYU's worst loss was to Utah. (The weakest opponent, according to Sagarin, they lost to.) They should have, according to Sagarin, defeated Utah by 7 points.
-BYU was 2-4 against teams that played in the post-season in 2012, beating Utah State and Georgia Tech and losing to Boise State, Notre Dame, Oregon State and San Jose State.
-BYU's regular season opponents were 4-2 in Bowl games. Utah State, Boise State, San Jose State, and Georgia Tech were victors where Notre Dame and Oregon State lost.
Utah
-Utah's best win was against BYU. Otherwise, they did not beat anyone else that they should have lost to or lost to anyone they should have defeated. Their worst loss was Washington.
-The PAC-12's bowl performance, outside of the BCS Bowls won by Stanford and Oregon, did not do credit to the conference.
-The Utes played 7 bowl teams in 2012, going 1-6 against those teams. They only beat BYU. They lost to Utah State, Arizona State, Arizona, Washington, UCLA, Oregon State and USC
-Utah's opponents were 4-3 in the post-season. Utah State, BYU, Arizona and Arizona State were victorious. USC, Washington and Oregon State lost.
-Utah played the most difficult schedule of any team in the state of Utah.
Utah State
-The Aggies did not lose to anyone that they should have defeated, according to Sagarin. They also did not beat anyone they should have lost to. (The latter is not meant to diminish their great season, a mark of a good team is to leave nothing on the table and to have no regrets. The Aggies have no regrets.)
-Kerwynn Williams had the best bowl game by a running back.
-Utah State finished with the highest ranking of any non-AQ school.
-The Aggies played only 3 bowl teams in the regular season, going 1-2 against those teams. However, Louisiana Tech should have, but did not appear in a bowl game. USU defeated San Jose State but lost to BYU and Wisconsin.
-USU's best win was Louisiana Tech and worst loss was BYU.
-The Aggies regular-season opponents were 2-1 in bowl games. BYU and San Jose State were victorious where Wisconsin was defeated.
-USU played the weakest schedule of Utah's 3 FBS teams.
-The WAC closed out football with two ranked teams and one in the RV category.
Weber State
-The Wildcats had a very rough season, but they did beat Southern Utah in Cedar City, a game they should have lost according to Sagarin. They did not lose to anyone they should have defeated. But only Idaho State is in that category.
-Weber State's worst loss was to Northern Colorado.
-Four of WSU's opponents earned post-season games. Webers foes were 3-3 in the post season. Eastern Washington was 2-1, losing in the FCS semi-finals after winning 2 games to get there. BYU was victorious in their bowl game. Fresno State and Cal-Poly lost their post-season games.
-Weber State played the weakest schedule of any team in Utah.
Southern Utah
-The T-Birds were inconsistent against the computers in 2012. They did beat Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona who they should have lost to. But they also dropped 3 games that they should have won to Sacramento State, Weber State and North Dakota. Those three losses were by a total of 9 points.
-The Thunderbirds best win was against Eastern Washington and the worst loss was to Weber State.
-SUU played 3 teams that played in the post-season, going 1-2 in those games. They beat Eastern Washington, but lost to Utah State and Montana State.
-SUU opponents were 4-2 in post season play. Utah State won their bowl game. Montana State was 1-1 in post season play. Eastern Washington was 2-1.
-Southern Utah played the strongest schedule in the Big Sky Conference.
Other Observations
-Boise State, in the Las Vegas Bowl, won a game thanks to a made field goal. Hopefully, that breaks the curse.
-The winner of the Bowl Challenge Cup: Conference USA. Victors UCF and SMU will not be in C-USA next season, but will join the Big East.
-The MWC has not won the Bowl Challenge cup since BYU and Utah left.
-Many bowl victors received no votes in the final AP and coaches polls. They include Arizona, BYU, Louisiana Lafayette, SMU, Central Michigan, Baylor, Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, Rice, Syracuse, Michigan State, Georgia Tech and Ole Miss. Most of these teams have records that do not justify a ranking.
-Bowl losers that were still ranked: Notre Dame, Florida, Kansas State, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Northern Illinois, Michigan and Nebraska.
-The only ranking I can take issue with is Florida still being ranked ahead of the team that beat them in the Sugar Bowl, Louisville.
-The Cougars were the most under-performing team in Utah according to Sagarin. The Computers show that the BYU should have beaten Utah, Boise State and San Jose State. In addition, BYU should have beaten Weber State, Hawaii and Idaho by larger margins than they did.
-BYU's best win was against Utah State, but according to the computer polls, the Cougars did not defeat anyone who they should have lost to.
-BYU was the only bowl team not to allow a touchdown.
-BYU's worst loss was to Utah. (The weakest opponent, according to Sagarin, they lost to.) They should have, according to Sagarin, defeated Utah by 7 points.
-BYU was 2-4 against teams that played in the post-season in 2012, beating Utah State and Georgia Tech and losing to Boise State, Notre Dame, Oregon State and San Jose State.
-BYU's regular season opponents were 4-2 in Bowl games. Utah State, Boise State, San Jose State, and Georgia Tech were victors where Notre Dame and Oregon State lost.
Utah
-Utah's best win was against BYU. Otherwise, they did not beat anyone else that they should have lost to or lost to anyone they should have defeated. Their worst loss was Washington.
-The PAC-12's bowl performance, outside of the BCS Bowls won by Stanford and Oregon, did not do credit to the conference.
-The Utes played 7 bowl teams in 2012, going 1-6 against those teams. They only beat BYU. They lost to Utah State, Arizona State, Arizona, Washington, UCLA, Oregon State and USC
-Utah's opponents were 4-3 in the post-season. Utah State, BYU, Arizona and Arizona State were victorious. USC, Washington and Oregon State lost.
-Utah played the most difficult schedule of any team in the state of Utah.
Utah State
-The Aggies did not lose to anyone that they should have defeated, according to Sagarin. They also did not beat anyone they should have lost to. (The latter is not meant to diminish their great season, a mark of a good team is to leave nothing on the table and to have no regrets. The Aggies have no regrets.)
-Kerwynn Williams had the best bowl game by a running back.
-Utah State finished with the highest ranking of any non-AQ school.
-The Aggies played only 3 bowl teams in the regular season, going 1-2 against those teams. However, Louisiana Tech should have, but did not appear in a bowl game. USU defeated San Jose State but lost to BYU and Wisconsin.
-USU's best win was Louisiana Tech and worst loss was BYU.
-The Aggies regular-season opponents were 2-1 in bowl games. BYU and San Jose State were victorious where Wisconsin was defeated.
-USU played the weakest schedule of Utah's 3 FBS teams.
-The WAC closed out football with two ranked teams and one in the RV category.
Weber State
-The Wildcats had a very rough season, but they did beat Southern Utah in Cedar City, a game they should have lost according to Sagarin. They did not lose to anyone they should have defeated. But only Idaho State is in that category.
-Weber State's worst loss was to Northern Colorado.
-Four of WSU's opponents earned post-season games. Webers foes were 3-3 in the post season. Eastern Washington was 2-1, losing in the FCS semi-finals after winning 2 games to get there. BYU was victorious in their bowl game. Fresno State and Cal-Poly lost their post-season games.
-Weber State played the weakest schedule of any team in Utah.
Southern Utah
-The T-Birds were inconsistent against the computers in 2012. They did beat Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona who they should have lost to. But they also dropped 3 games that they should have won to Sacramento State, Weber State and North Dakota. Those three losses were by a total of 9 points.
-The Thunderbirds best win was against Eastern Washington and the worst loss was to Weber State.
-SUU played 3 teams that played in the post-season, going 1-2 in those games. They beat Eastern Washington, but lost to Utah State and Montana State.
-SUU opponents were 4-2 in post season play. Utah State won their bowl game. Montana State was 1-1 in post season play. Eastern Washington was 2-1.
-Southern Utah played the strongest schedule in the Big Sky Conference.
Other Observations
-Boise State, in the Las Vegas Bowl, won a game thanks to a made field goal. Hopefully, that breaks the curse.
-The winner of the Bowl Challenge Cup: Conference USA. Victors UCF and SMU will not be in C-USA next season, but will join the Big East.
-The MWC has not won the Bowl Challenge cup since BYU and Utah left.
-Many bowl victors received no votes in the final AP and coaches polls. They include Arizona, BYU, Louisiana Lafayette, SMU, Central Michigan, Baylor, Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, Rice, Syracuse, Michigan State, Georgia Tech and Ole Miss. Most of these teams have records that do not justify a ranking.
-Bowl losers that were still ranked: Notre Dame, Florida, Kansas State, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Northern Illinois, Michigan and Nebraska.
-The only ranking I can take issue with is Florida still being ranked ahead of the team that beat them in the Sugar Bowl, Louisville.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Predictions for 2013
Here are my Far-Fetced predictions for 2013.
Championships:
-The NHL will lose the entire 2013 season.
-Alabama will narrowly defeat Notre Dame in the BCS Championship.
-The Atlanta Falcons will beat the New England Patriots in Superbowl XLVII.
-The LA Clippers will beat the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals
-The Detroit Tigers will beat the San Francisco Giants in a rematch of last year's World Series.
-Sporting Kansas City will defeat the San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS Cup.
-NCAA Final Four: Gonzaga, Louisville, Michigan, Duke. The Zags win it all.
Other Sports Predictions:
-Major League Baseball will expand to Charlotte and San Antonio
-Major League Soccer will expand with a second team in New York
-The National Hockey League will miss the 2013 season entirely and will contract the Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers and one other team. One team will move to Seattle.
-NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will be fired.
-Conference expansion madness will continue with the Pac 12 and Big 12 making moves. All of the big 5 conferences will be at 14 members.
-The NFL will discontinue the Pro Bowl game, but will still select Pro Bowl teams.
-The Big East will fold. Cincinnati and UConn will reluctantly join a super-sized Conference-USA.
Local Predictions:
-BYU will release Brandon Doman as offensive coordinator and will hire former Montana head coach Robin Pflugrad to take his place.
-Utah football will again fail to finish above .500 and Kyle Whittingham will be forced to hire a new offensive staff.
-Taysom Hill will have a breakout season in Provo.
-Chuckie Keeton will lead the Aggies to the MWC Championship game and become the MWC offensive player of the year.
-Kyle Van Noy will win the Butkis trophy and become the first linebacker chosen in the 2014 draft.
-The Kreuger Brothers will lead the Utah defense.
-Weber State will finish with an "improved" 4-8 record.
-Southern Utah will miss Brad Sorensen and also finish 4-8, but will root for Sorensen's success in the NFL.
Championships:
-The NHL will lose the entire 2013 season.
-Alabama will narrowly defeat Notre Dame in the BCS Championship.
-The Atlanta Falcons will beat the New England Patriots in Superbowl XLVII.
-The LA Clippers will beat the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals
-The Detroit Tigers will beat the San Francisco Giants in a rematch of last year's World Series.
-Sporting Kansas City will defeat the San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS Cup.
-NCAA Final Four: Gonzaga, Louisville, Michigan, Duke. The Zags win it all.
Other Sports Predictions:
-Major League Baseball will expand to Charlotte and San Antonio
-Major League Soccer will expand with a second team in New York
-The National Hockey League will miss the 2013 season entirely and will contract the Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers and one other team. One team will move to Seattle.
-NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will be fired.
-Conference expansion madness will continue with the Pac 12 and Big 12 making moves. All of the big 5 conferences will be at 14 members.
-The NFL will discontinue the Pro Bowl game, but will still select Pro Bowl teams.
-The Big East will fold. Cincinnati and UConn will reluctantly join a super-sized Conference-USA.
Local Predictions:
-BYU will release Brandon Doman as offensive coordinator and will hire former Montana head coach Robin Pflugrad to take his place.
-Utah football will again fail to finish above .500 and Kyle Whittingham will be forced to hire a new offensive staff.
-Taysom Hill will have a breakout season in Provo.
-Chuckie Keeton will lead the Aggies to the MWC Championship game and become the MWC offensive player of the year.
-Kyle Van Noy will win the Butkis trophy and become the first linebacker chosen in the 2014 draft.
-The Kreuger Brothers will lead the Utah defense.
-Weber State will finish with an "improved" 4-8 record.
-Southern Utah will miss Brad Sorensen and also finish 4-8, but will root for Sorensen's success in the NFL.
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