New bowl game....

I just read an article that said every other year the big 12 and PAC 12 would send a team to a bcs game and they would play the top ranked team from the big east, mtn west, sun belt, conf USA, and the Mac. That is huge for BYU. I am a huge fan of BYU going to the big east for more meaningful games and better home sched and not weekday games. But this news is big. The article says they figure the highest ranked team will usually be from the big east because they have the best conf of all those others. Holmoe claimed when he went independent they wanted exposure and the BCS. He said independence is not long term and they are looking for the best opportunity for them. I will say once again BYU to the big east is by far the best situation especially now.



I understand they are competing against four other conferences for that spot but realistically it should be a big east team each year in that game, with the exception of a mtn west team sometimes. You can not tell me with a solid argument that independence is better with this new bowl agreement. That would give BYU each year a chance to play bin the BCS. If they stay indy they have 0 chance unless they are undefeated. This new bowl will also help the negotiations for a new TV deal with the Big East.

bcsbuster wrote:
I just read an article that said every other year the big 12 and PAC 12 would send a team to a bcs game and they would play the top ranked team from the big east, mtn west, sun belt, conf USA, and the Mac. That is huge for BYU. I am a huge fan of BYU going to the big east for more meaningful games and better home sched and not weekday games. But this news is big. The article says they figure the highest ranked team will usually be from the big east because they have the best conf of all those others. Holmoe claimed when he went independent they wanted exposure and the BCS. He said independence is not long term and they are looking for the best opportunity for them. I will say once again BYU to the big east is by far the best situation especially now.



I understand they are competing against four other conferences for that spot but realistically it should be a big east team each year in that game, with the exception of a mtn west team sometimes. You can not tell me with a solid argument that independence is better with this new bowl agreement. That would give BYU each year a chance to play bin the BCS. If they stay indy they have 0 chance unless they are undefeated. This new bowl will also help the negotiations for a new TV deal with the Big East.

This is good news for access to a big bowl. However, let's wait and see if an independent could also take a spot in that bowl. If so, we may hold tight. If not, the Big East is looking like a better option.



Although I do like the idea of playing Texas, Oklahoma, TCU, or West Virginia in Provo in November, I think that BYU can be much more competitive in the Big East. Also, frequent games in Texas, Florida, Mid-Atlantic, Ohio, and California...and even Memphis and Louisville, and a rivalry with Boise at the end of the year are all good things for BYU fans across the nation.

bcsbuster wrote:
You can not tell me with a solid argument that independence is better with this new bowl agreement. That would give BYU each year a chance to play bin the BCS. If they stay indy they have 0 chance unless they are undefeated. This new bowl will also help the negotiations for a new TV deal with the Big East.

No chance for what? They still won't have any chance at the National Championship until there's an actual playoff (no, what's coming in 2014 is not a playoff) without going undefeated. The 2009 Las Vegas was a better match up than many BCS bowls have been. Not saying we shouldn't join a conference but playing in a "BCS" game isn't my ultimate goal.



Now if we can't negotiate a better bowl situation where we get more than two options like we have now (BCS or low level bowl) I'm much more tempted join. I'm not stoked about the Big East. It just seems like it's way to fluid of a conference and could easily fall apart really fast and we'd be back to trying to establish an Indy schedule again with little time to do it.

So what should TH bowl strategy be? The Poinsettia bowl director said that he wants BYU in their mix but hedge about the Holiday bowl and the conference agreement. I think we should ask to be included in the Holiday bowl if a conference rep is not ranked and we are. Then we would be invited to take that slot.

scott715 wrote:
So what should TH bowl strategy be? The Poinsettia bowl director said that he wants BYU in their mix but hedge about the Holiday bowl and the conference agreement. I think we should ask to be included in the Holiday bowl if a conference rep is not ranked and we are. Then we would be invited to take that slot.

If BYU remains independent, an arrangement with the Holiday Bowl, Las Vegas Bowl, and one other smaller bowl game would be ideal.



First (assuming we are not invited to playoff or new BCS), Holiday Bowl if we are ranked and conference rep is not. This would currently put us against PAC 12 #3 or Big 12 #4.



Second, Las Vegas Bowl if we have at least 8 wins and are not selected by the Holiday Bowl. This would currently put us against PAC 12 #4/5 or MWC #1. Try to get Big East West #1 to supplant MWC #1.



Third Bowl if we are bowl eligible but fewer than 8 wins. Get an arrangement with the Big East and MWC here. Try to get MWC #1 or top-3 Big East West team.



With a tiered approach, fans would still feel like BYU has something to play for even if BYU loses a game or two. If BYU is ranked, at a minimum we land in the Las Vegas Bowl against a team that is likely at least receiving votes in the polls, if not ranked. But we have the upside possibility to play a better team in San Diego, if the new BCS passes us over.