As many BYU fans noted, the Big 12 receive permission from the NCAA to hold a championship game without splitting into divisions. That does not mean that they will actually do this, nor does it mean, per se, that they will not add BYU or any other schools and expand. They only agreed to the principle.
Let me find another metaphor to compare this two. There once was a band in England called the Beatles. They were very good. They were relevant. They had a friend named Eric Clapton, who was also very good. When things got a little difficult, they invited Clapton to join with them on a song called "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." It was one of their best. There was serious talk of inviting Clapton to join permanently. To replace either a burned out Lennon or a frustrated Harrison. But it never happened before the band broke up. Clapton was just a successful in his own right.
Just because BYU is left out of the Big 12 does not mean that they are a bad school. Academically, there are only three things that matter for an institution of higher learning. 1. Are your graduates good potential job candidates? 2. Are your graduates good candidates for post-graduate programs? 3. Is the research performed by your institution relevant? BYU is in pretty good standing in these categories, even better than some athletic P5 institutions. Athletics probably lags behind the rest of the university. But this is not a permanent situation.
I believe that BYU sports will eventually get the invite that they want. It probably will not happen by the end of this decade, but it will happen eventually. Not every school in every P5 conference will be able to keep up with Jones-es, for lack of a better metaphor. Sooner or later, someone will drop out. The cracks are already showing in some places. BYU should be ready to be a good replacement if, or rather, when that happens. For now, they need to make the most of their current situation. They do not need to win every game. When they lose, they need to look good in losing. Some goes for Boise State, Cincinnati, Central Florida, Connecticut, Memphis, Houston and everyone else hoping for a shot. That didn't happen in every game in 2015 for BYU. It needs to happen in every game in 2016 and beyond.
Looking good in losing means, no shutouts to Michigan without getting a first down. No "bar fights" in Miami after an overtime loss. No below the belt punches. No over exaggerated attempts to cause a fumble. No throwing garbage on the referees after a close loss. No more need for coaches or administrators to apologize for anything. No more being sorry for your lack of preparation. No more being sorry for your behavior on the field, in the stands, on campus or in town.
Beyond this do some positive things as well. Show up to every game. Bring a contingent of enthusiastic and supportive fans to every game, especially bowl games. Beat the teams you should, and surprise everyone else. Get players into the NFL. Win bowl games. Get players into the NBA. Go deep in the NCAA tournament. Play baseball in Omaha. Win championships in other sports, especially women's sports. Get boosters to spend money on facilities.
This is what will get BYU over the top. Do so in a manner that who ever expands next will think of no one but BYU. Be patient, and eventually, BYU will be where they think they should be.
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