Boise St. Conference merry-go-round continues

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7186814/idaho-state-board-education-gives-boise-st-ok-join-big-east" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



and NOW they're in the Big East. That's right. the really big EAST now has a foothold in Idaho.

If you read the article, there is a HUGE caveat, that the Big East MUST have a Western Division before Boise State will join. Also, the BSU President suggested that SMU, Houston, Air Force and "one other western school" could make up that division!



Could Tom Holmoe be having clandestine discussions with the Big East to join this new Western Division? Who knows!



But, I think it could actually be an exciting scenario for the Cougs. We have already established a long-term relationship with BSU, most of us would enjoy to get Air Force back on the schedule (but for the chop blocks), and we also already have a future schedule with Houston. If you had a 5-team Western Division, I could see a 7-game conference schedule (the current Big East has 7 game schedules) with 4 division games and 3 other division games. Every year, BYU would have a road trip to Idaho or Colorado and a trip to Texas (SMU or Houston). Then, every other year or so, BYU would travel to Florida (USF or UCF), the Northeast (Rutgers, UConn, or Navy), or the mid-west (Louisville or Cincy). BYU could still have FIVE non-conference games to fit in Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Utah State, and the like.



I say this could be a beautiful thing. It basically fills out our October and November schedules (which have been a major concern on this board), allows BYU to play all over the country, and gives us a championship to play for each season. Why not?!

Intriguing schedule and level of competition, being a better fit than Big 12.

3 critical questions/issues.

1. of course, no sunday play

2. tv rights

3. Will the BE retain its auto-qual status with BCS game?? Seems a little lean w/o Pitt, WV, etc. I would think BSU would attempt to make sure of that.

Im not thrilled with some of the teams mentioned, its not who you think of when you talk about playing with the big boys. But, the chance to get into a BCS conferense is worth it.

Anyone who thinks the Big (L)East is going to lose there AQ is nuts. The comish of the Big East is the same man who came up with this whole bull s#it BCS idea. The Big East will maintain there AQ as long as theres a BCS in place.



And for those who want to stay indi. How would you feel if an 8-4 Air Force or SMU wins the Big East title and goes to a BCS game and a 10-1 indi BYU team gets the shaft with there one lose and goes to the Arm Forces Bowl. To me the choice is clear, im all for going into the Big East!



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dmcougar wrote:
Intriguing schedule and level of competition, being a better fit than Big 12.

3 critical questions/issues.

1. of course, no sunday play

2. tv rights

3. Will the BE retain its auto-qual status with BCS game?? Seems a little lean w/o Pitt, WV, etc. I would think BSU would attempt to make sure of that.

1) We're only talking football, so no Sunday play is easily resolved. Hardly any college football games are held on Sunday now. All of BYU's other sports would stay in the WCC (which is great for BYU's alumni and for the church, by the way)



2) There may be some obstacles with TV Rights. I don't see them as insurmountable, however. I don't think the Big East will mind if BYU's conference home games are broadcast on ESPN or rebroadcast internationally on BYUTV (especially the Navy and Air Force international rebroadcasts). BYU may need to be willing to share some of its revenues - but BYU's revenues will likely increase from bowl payouts and BCS money, so not a huge obstacle here. And, although important, I don't think $$ is at that top of BYU's agenda right now.



3) BSU would be absolutely NECESSARY for the Big East to have any chance to stay AQ. BSU's average ranking the last 3-4 years is higher than most AQ conference champions. Adding BYU, Houston, and UCF gives the Big East some sold top-25 finishes the last 3-4 years to add to the BCS calculation and the conference resume. Adding SMU, Air Force, and Navy ensures that the bottom tier doesn't suck - a la New Mexico and UNLV in the MWC. Overall, for BCS auto-bid calculation purposes, the Big East will have a rock star in BSU, it will have an average of 3 or 4 schools each year in the top 25, and the "average" school will be in the top 50. The conference will be competitive top to bottom.



Also, it is interesting to note that the Big East would have some really good markets for its TV deal and ensuring that it's not left out after 2013. It would have a (1) very strong foothold in the Mountain West states, (2) an entrance into the Texas market with two programs, (3) a better entrance in Florida market with two program, (4) access to New York and mid-Atlantic markets, (5) and three national and even international brands in BYU, Air Force, and Navy. The Cincy and Louisville markets aren't slouches either (they're bigger than SLC). You can't understate the significance of these factors.



Finally, I think the Big East would be wise to rotate the conference championship game between New York City and Las Vegas. Both are very accessible and have relatively affordable airfare and lodging options. Also, both provide fans a venue for more than just the football game. I think this could get very exciting if it makes sense for BYU!

I just can't get excited about BYU in the Big East. They were always the red-headed step child of the BCS and losing their old guard doesn't help their perception, even though West Virginia was the only good football program they lost.



If BYU bailed on a conference with Boise State and TCU, why should they get excited about joining Boise State in a reduced Big East? Who is there left in the Big East to get excited about? Louisville? Cincinnati? South Florida?



I just don't see this Big East being significantly better than the MWC could have been with BYU, BSU and TCU and just adding Fresno State, Nevada and Houston, and yet BYU bailed on that possibility.



Or are we supposed to be excited by the Big East's $3.7 million per year in football payouts? So BYU joins the Big East for less money, less exposure, less freedom and less flexibility of scheduling, because why? BCS Access?



I'm not even sure BYU would have an easier road to the BCS in the Big East than where they are now, and their shot at the National Championship would be pretty much the same.



No thanks for me.

The article claims that the BE payout is $3.7 million. Are you kidding me? You folks think we'd sell out for that small of a payout?



I'm tired of guessing about who the mystery western team that has been involved in some communications with the BE. Evidence would lead one to believe that it is BYU what with their cloak of secrecy involving any conference affiliation, but it has to be obvious that the BE, even at a low level, would have had to talk with BYU about FB.

EM_Puma wrote:
The article claims that the BE payout is $3.7 million. Are you kidding me? You folks think we'd sell out for that small of a payout?

It seems like many fans are in full fledged panic mode about joining a conference. It reminds me of the 19 year LDS girl at BYU who starts getting desperate to get married because a couple of her friends got engaged. That girl tended to get married really quick, but it tended to be to some putz.



The current version of the Big East is basically the MWC with slightly more money, more weeknight games (Wed & Fri), and more travel.



Instead I would be on the phone to Boise State telling them to talk to ESPN about going independent. They are already looking at other conferences for their other sports, and ESPN loves the Broncos. There is a good chance they could get more than $3.7 million from ESPN.

Isola wrote:

Instead I would be on the phone to Boise State telling them to talk to ESPN about going independent. They are already looking at other conferences for their other sports, and ESPN loves the Broncos. There is a good chance they could get more than $3.7 million from ESPN.

If we're having trouble scheduling teams, who the heck would book BSU as an independent? I can't think of a higher-risk, lower-reward non-conference game from an AQ perspective.

What happens when the big 12 poaches lousville and the sec poaches usf or the acc takes connecticut..... and on and on.



I wonder how viable an option that is.



It makes sense in some ways. the reason wvu and pitt have the reputation and top 25 rankings they do is because of the weak competition they play int he big east. byu would be in a good place to win the conference each year and thereby have a good platform to be ranked in top 15 each year, just as they did in the mwc, but with an auto bid.



i doubt they lose the bid. the difference is there is not much money with those teams and who is the tv deal going to be with. they were stupid to spurn espn earlier. byu will not go if the deal is not with espn.



what would be nice is if byu could just keep their espn k and be in the conference in just football.



stability is probably the biggest issue though. they are trying to survive but it wont take much for the big east to sink all together.

Isola



The top of the old MWC was fine. The bottom of it was what was continuing to keep it from AQ status. BYU left for TV exposure and fan access to broadcasts. The BE has a better bottom. It just needs to retain AQ status which is easier than obtaining AQ status. This move guts the MWC / Conf USA merger and any competition for AQ status.



So if Sunday and TV can be worked out, this fixes the huge problem of scheduling which seems likely to get even worse, otherwise.



Big East will negotiate a new TV deal - they put off doing this before - it will jump revenue way up.



I am in.



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Isn't this history repeating itself? Wasn't the WAC a monstrosity that spanned many timezones and was a mess to keep track of. This seems like the same thing minus Hawaii. I guess it does have the BCS though, and that seems to be all that matters...

The bottom line is that if you were BSU how could you not look at the opportunity. Could it really be worse than the MWC sans Utah, TCU and BYU?

Dcr36 wrote:

Instead I would be on the phone to Boise State telling them to talk to ESPN about going independent. They are already looking at other conferences for their other sports, and ESPN loves the Broncos. There is a good chance they could get more than $3.7 million from ESPN.

If we're having trouble scheduling teams, who the heck would book BSU as an independent? I can't think of a higher-risk, lower-reward non-conference game from an AQ perspective.

That's a great point.

nogbody wrote:
Isn't this history repeating itself? Wasn't the WAC a monstrosity that spanned many timezones and was a mess to keep track of. This seems like the same thing minus Hawaii. I guess it does have the BCS though, and that seems to be all that matters...

The WAC had to split peanuts with 16 schools. This BEAST would have high travel costs for football as does Independence if we decide to "play all over the country".



BEAST is going to get a very nice TV revenue boost and can negotiate a new contract now.



BCS money split as well.



Conf Champ game split - BEAST did not have one but will with 12 teams.



I would like to see the BEAST go to 16 or more teams adding SDSU, UH, and perhaps other western teams which would result in less travel to East Coast.



Keep in mind that the really big travel issue for the non-football sports is avoided because we stay in WCC.



And for all of the anti-Big 12 folks that wanted to show loyalty to WCC - The BEAST allows us to stay WCC indefinitely but will make new friends that may get us some games vs Big East teams as OOC or tournament games.

Cougarbib2 wrote:



I would like to see the BEAST go to 16 or more teams adding SDSU, UH, and perhaps other western teams which would result in less travel to East Coast.

you want the Big EAST to add hawaii? come on now. At some point the geographies get a little too ridiculous. Nothing like traveling, what is it, EIGHT time zones to play a game?

Cougarbib2 wrote:
Isola



The top of the old MWC was fine. The bottom of it was what was continuing to keep it from AQ status. BYU left for TV exposure and fan access to broadcasts. The BE has a better bottom. It just needs to retain AQ status which is easier than obtaining AQ status. This move guts the MWC / Conf USA merger and any competition for AQ status.

Won't this gutting of non-AQ conferences only make BYU's path to the BCS as an independent even easier? An 11-1 BYU wouldn't have to worry about Boise State getting the non-AQ bid.

So if Sunday and TV can be worked out, this fixes the huge problem of scheduling which seems likely to get even worse, otherwise.



Big East will negotiate a new TV deal - they put off doing this before - it will jump revenue way up.



I am in.

Really? Conference expansion seems to have been ruled more by media potential than by on field performance, and the Big East just lost what other conferences considered their 4 best schools. I don't see how the Big East just became more attractive as a media product.

Come on guys, the Big East. Really?! How can so many people be excited about the Big Freaking East?



Sure they currently have a BCS bid, but we are talking about a conference with just one football program that had AQ status when the BCS started.



Miami left for the ACC in 2004.

Virginia Tech left for the ACC in 2004.

Temple waws so bad they got booted in 2004.

Boston College left for the ACC in 2005.

Syracuse is leaving for the ACC.

Pitt is leaving for the ACC.

West Virginia is leaving for the Big 12.

TCU saw the fire and is instead heading to the Big 12.

UConn will leave as soon as the ACC will take them.

Louisville will leave as soon as anyone will take them.

The Big East is so desperate that they are considering bringing Temple back.



The Big East is the WAC of the East with a BCS bid (for now). Everyone seems to have been in it at one point in time, and every one in it wants out of it.



And some how Boise State, Air Force, Navy, Houston, SMU and UCF are going to fix it?! The Big East would have more new faces than old faces. And even with all 12 schools (including BYU) they would have a combined 25 years of AQ-status between them. Scarcely more than two years per school.



So we pinch our noses and go for it all in the name of AQ status (albeit third class AQ status) and November scheduling, while potentially seeing a reduction in TV payout, likely less exposure, less control over our media rights, more travel?!



No thanks.

CougarClaw wrote:

I would like to see the BEAST go to 16 or more teams adding SDSU, UH, and perhaps other western teams which would result in less travel to East Coast.

you want the Big EAST to add hawaii? come on now. At some point the geographies get a little too ridiculous. Nothing like traveling, what is it, EIGHT time zones to play a game?

Bronco already wants to play Hawaii every year. It gives teams an option ro add an extra game if they choose. I suggested this in the context of adding several new West Division teams which would then mean fewer trips to the East coast by West teams and little or no need for East coast teams to go to Hawaii.



Finally - it is the right thing to do. At some point, someone has to do some things because they are the right thing to do. Otherwise, Hawaii would not have a football team. I would add Alaska if they had a team because the PAC never will do the right thing. If they would - we would have been PAC years ago.

Isola wrote:
Come on guys, the Big East. Really?! How can so many people be excited about the Big Freaking East?



Sure they currently have a BCS bid, but we are talking about a conference with just one football program that had AQ status when the BCS started.



Miami left for the ACC in 2004.

Virginia Tech left for the ACC in 2004.

Temple waws so bad they got booted in 2004.

Boston College left for the ACC in 2005.

Syracuse is leaving for the ACC.

Pitt is leaving for the ACC.

West Virginia is leaving for the Big 12.

TCU saw the fire and is instead heading to the Big 12.

UConn will leave as soon as the ACC will take them.

Louisville will leave as soon as anyone will take them.

The Big East is so desperate that they are considering bringing Temple back.



The Big East is the WAC of the East with a BCS bid (for now). Everyone seems to have been in it at one point in time, and every one in it wants out of it.



And some how Boise State, Air Force, Navy, Houston, SMU and UCF are going to fix it?! The Big East would have more new faces than old faces. And even with all 12 schools (including BYU) they would have a combined 25 years of AQ-status between them. Scarcely more than two years per school.



So we pinch our noses and go for it all in the name of AQ status (albeit third class AQ status) and November scheduling, while potentially seeing a reduction in TV payout, likely less exposure, less control over our media rights, more travel?!



No thanks.

Agreed! Here's what I think of the BE: :sick: