New Conference

With all of the realignment that has happened and with the new access to the "BCS", I think our best option (not counting a Big 12 invite) would be to organize a new conference. I know, I know. That is what happened with the MWC. Yes, and I actually think it was a good conference ruined by a bad TV deal. We get BYU, Boise St, San Diego St, Fresno St, Air Force, UNLV, SMU, and Houston. These teams each would have fairly close traveling partners with the exception of Air Force and UNLV. That would give us 7 teams to play in football, leaving us 5 teams to beef up our schedule. Utah and Utah St plus 3 BCS teams of verying levels. All of these teams have had top 25 teams over the last 10 years with the exception of UNLV and you could expect 2 to 3 of them to be ranked during any one year. Not exactly the SEC, but if undefeated possibly good enough to have us in the top 4 (depending on our non conference schedule). The best part of this is that the years we don't go undefeated, we would be in the running to take the open BCS slot for the "non AQ" slots. Just be the top ranked team of the "non AQ" teams. If you look at the teams we would be going up against, I could imagine that happening every 4 years or so. We would likely get ESPN to televise the games giving us the exposure we currently have, leaving 2nd Tier rights open for BYUtv. We would no doubt be getting less money on a yearly basis but somehow I think that BYU could find a way to get the money it needs. (Maybe 11% brethren). Basketball would return to being played in decent size arenas, not gymnasiums, and all other sports would settle in just fine. Recruiting our conference footprint would include Utah, California, Nevada, Colorado, and the coveted Texas. Bowl tie ins could be in Vegas, San Diego, and Texas where the fan bases would be willing to travel. We would be playing for a conference championship, but more importantly fighting for the top ranked position every year for that BCS spot. That would keep my attention, even if we were playing a bad Air Force team late in the season.

I like the new conference and its members. Long shot to happen though.



A second best option is for BYU to solidify relationships with these schools. We already have Boise, UNLV, and Houston on future schedules. I'm sure we can get Air Force, SDSU, SMU and Fresno on future schedules as well. It would be nice to play at least 4 of these schools every season. And then get UNLV, SDSU, and Houston (and yes, even Boise, Fresno, Air Force, and SMU) on the basketball schedule.



BYU should also talk to the Big East right now about doing a deal with the Las Vegas Bowl. The Las Vegas Bowl loves BYU and Boise State. I would envision a deal where the Las Vegas Bowl could take BYU 2 out of 4 years and would take a Big East West team in the other years - versus PAC 12 #4. BYU could have a similar arrangement with the Poinsettia Bowl, Fight the Hunger Bowl, or Armed Forces Bowls that would allow BYU to fall to these bowls in a year that they don't go to Las Vegas or an Access Bowl/Playoff. I really think the Las Vegas Bowl and Big East would go for this.

NorCal wrote:
With all of the realignment that has happened and with the new access to the "BCS", I think our best option (not counting a Big 12 invite) would be to organize a new conference. I know, I know. That is what happened with the MWC. Yes, and I actually think it was a good conference ruined by a bad TV deal. We get BYU, Boise St, San Diego St, Fresno St, Air Force, UNLV, SMU, and Houston. These teams each would have fairly close traveling partners with the exception of Air Force and UNLV. That would give us 7 teams to play in football, leaving us 5 teams to beef up our schedule. Utah and Utah St plus 3 BCS teams of verying levels. All of these teams have had top 25 teams over the last 10 years with the exception of UNLV and you could expect 2 to 3 of them to be ranked during any one year. Not exactly the SEC, but if undefeated possibly good enough to have us in the top 4 (depending on our non conference schedule). The best part of this is that the years we don't go undefeated, we would be in the running to take the open BCS slot for the "non AQ" slots. Just be the top ranked team of the "non AQ" teams. If you look at the teams we would be going up against, I could imagine that happening every 4 years or so. We would likely get ESPN to televise the games giving us the exposure we currently have, leaving 2nd Tier rights open for BYUtv. We would no doubt be getting less money on a yearly basis but somehow I think that BYU could find a way to get the money it needs. (Maybe 11% brethren). Basketball would return to being played in decent size arenas, not gymnasiums, and all other sports would settle in just fine. Recruiting our conference footprint would include Utah, California, Nevada, Colorado, and the coveted Texas. Bowl tie ins could be in Vegas, San Diego, and Texas where the fan bases would be willing to travel. We would be playing for a conference championship, but more importantly fighting for the top ranked position every year for that BCS spot. That would keep my attention, even if we were playing a bad Air Force team late in the season.

We have discussed this on the board many times before. I am also in favor of a Big 8 conference, but only if it would actually improve our revenue (It would certainly improve our late season scheduling) and allow us the same exposure (read second tier TV rights). To do so, you have to get better media markets or teams with a national following.



In that vein, my choices, with media market rankings in parentheses, would be San Diego State (San Diego--28), San Jose State (Northern California market-San Francisco 6th/ rather than Fresno 55th), Houston (Houston-10, Dallas is 5, but most people probably aren't watching SMU in Dallas, so go with Houston), Utah State (semi-rival, up and comer), Boise State (Idaho market #119, but people tune in to watch around the country), UNLV (Las Vegas-42, Reno-108, so no UNR even though probably a better team) , and Air Force (Colorado Springs #91, but other military members will tune in to watch--and I have a soft spot for them). This would provide very good late season games, provide a footprint in all of the surrounding states, and still give BYU the early season flexibility to play anywhere for five games. An eight team league seems like a good idea. Keeps the number of mouths to feed small, everyone plays everyone every year, and practically every team in the conference can be bowl eligible with good scheduling (exept UNLV who will still suck). Besides, wouldn't it be cool to be part of the Big 8?



But then again, if no more revenue, stay independent.

I would really like this arrangement. Big dog with a few other big dogs, a few medium dogs and a few small dogs in a nice conference with conference champion and regional games. Plus the flexibility to play 5 teams OOC every year (Utah, Weber, Pac12, Big 12, ND/big 10/Acc/SEC).



I would rather go 10-2 or 9-3 every year with one loss in conference and one or two loses out of conference that to go 12-0 or 11-1 with wins over no one, a boring season, and getting to the BCS bowl game via the path of NIU.



I thought our schedule this year and our schedule next year are awesome. We just didn't win when we should have this year. But I am tired of 2 for 1's and being everyone's B***h, and then not delivering when we have he chance. A Big 8 conference with BSU, USU, Housten, SDSU, UNLV, BYU, Air Force and SJSU would provide consistently good football teams, a strong basketball conference, and the flexibility to schedule neutral field or 1 for 1 deals outside of conference and still keep the season meaningful if we go 3-2 OOC.

This is ridiculous, moderate, realistic thinking. Stop it right now! You clearly are MWC homers and have zero confidence in BYU somehow doing better than Utah has in a big time conference. Losers. (TIC)



It's not rocket science, folks. BYU is not big time. It will fail if it tries to go big time and would wallow back to this type of Conference, in time, in shame. Thank goodness The Big 12 didn't want us as their little female dog and BoT wouldn't allow Sunday play and TH/BYU wouldn't ever compromise again on TV exposure.

jacksonman wrote:
I would really like this arrangement. Big dog with a few other big dogs, a few medium dogs and a few small dogs in a nice conference with conference champion and regional games. Plus the flexibility to play 5 teams OOC every year (Utah, Weber, Pac12, Big 12, ND/big 10/Acc/SEC).



I would rather go 10-2 or 9-3 every year with one loss in conference and one or two loses out of conference that to go 12-0 or 11-1 with wins over no one, a boring season, and getting to the BCS bowl game via the path of NIU.



I thought our schedule this year and our schedule next year are awesome. We just didn't win when we should have this year. But I am tired of 2 for 1's and being everyone's B***h, and then not delivering when we have he chance. A Big 8 conference with BSU, USU, Housten, SDSU, UNLV, BYU, Air Force and SJSU would provide consistently good football teams, a strong basketball conference, and the flexibility to schedule neutral field or 1 for 1 deals outside of conference and still keep the season meaningful if we go 3-2 OOC.

You need a travel partner for Houston. So I guess SMU is the only real choice.



For revenue I think you need to get to 12 teams for the championship game.



Boise St. and BYU would be the leading programs.



UNLV and Nevada are decent additions.



San Jose St. and San Diego St are natural partners.



Utah St? Air Force? Fresno St? Colorado St?

I still like the idea of European style of relegation-promotion for college football.

Qman wrote:
You need a travel partner for Houston. So I guess SMU is the only real choice.



For revenue I think you need to get to 12 teams for the championship game.



Boise St. and BYU would be the leading programs.



UNLV and Nevada are decent additions.



San Jose St. and San Diego St are natural partners.



Utah St? Air Force? Fresno St? Colorado St?

Not that I would have a vote, but I would be opposed to 12 teams. In my mind, twelve teams brings in those that water down the conference (the Wyomings, Colorado States, and New Mexicos of the college football world--I do realize that I recommended UNLV, but they have a good TV market and would be the only sucky football team).



Travel Partners is not an issue for football, which drives the decision. Who is Boise's travelling partner in the Big East? I don't think they have one that would be any closer than San Jose State would be in the proposed Big 8.



Perhaps that shows insensitivity to the other sports to not worry about travel partners, but alas, these decisions are made based on money and money is made based on football in TV markets.

I say we drop down to D-II because we have no way of ever competing in D-I again. We get far worse athletes now than in Lavell's days and we just can't beat anybody including UNLV so lets give it up and just go D-II where we may make the championship game once a decade because all the two star recruits we get now would all go to Utah and we would end up with your HS benchwarmers :roll:



We have a few chinks in the armor that need repaired and I think they start with coaching but things are not hopeless (unless the end of the world comes and then who knows what happens to College Football). Bronco has his flaws and needs to indentify and address them personally. Doman needs valuable seasoning, and our O-line needs to not just say they are trying to get into NFL shape but play like it once they get there. And lastly, we need more than a great high school QB leading the offense. What would our record be if we had a Detmer, Mac, Sark, Bosco, Beck, Hall, Carter, or other similar QB at the helm this year? I think we would probably be undefeated and in a BCS game or maybe even in THE game. Starting next year we get a QB with an actual arm and possibly even better ones feeding into the system the next few years.



As for a conference, we can compete very well in the Big 12. We would not be anybodys B** or chew toy. We get extremely talented players that stick around for more than one year. Joining a conference with teams with no and I repeat no fanbase is not a way to increase your revenues nor your national rep. We would end up sharing our revenues once again with a bunch of teams that once in a while field a competitive team (save BSU and UNLV on each end of the spectrum) but bring next to nothing to the negotiating table. We would lose all our TV rights and end up playing on TruTV or the Obscure Channel. You would be watching most of the games on the computer or in rebroadcast.

If you think that BYU is not exploring this option, you'd be wrong. They have and are. Issue is whether it makes sense financially and competitively or not. And of course, exposure as well.



I think it could happen, but perhaps not until 2016 or so, BYU might need to do it by then if they are left out of the playoff format and without a decent bowl affiliation.

SpiffCoug wrote:
I still like the idea of European style of relegation-promotion for college football.

+1

We will now see just how important BCS/playoff access is to BYU. I don't think it's that big of a deal to them. They know to get in, they have to be undefeated, or only a one loss team anyway (in or out of a conference).



If BCS access is so important, then don't make this new conference. Just join the Sun Belt. If BYU were to go to the Sun Belt and say they want in, they may even be able to keep their current contract with ESPN, use BYUtv, increase their chances to go undefeated, thus being the highest ranked non-AQ conference champion, and go to the BCS every year.



Personally, I'd rather watch a schedule like 2013 and have a 7-5 record than go the easy route to a BCS game. The 2013 schedule is the best home schedule BYU has had as long as I can remember. Texas, BSU, Utah, and GT, in one year at home is pretty sweet. Playing at Wisc and ND, and probably at Reliant Stadium in Houston is pretty awesome as well. Don't want to trade the possibilities of that for Troy, South Alabama, Arkansas St and FIU.