runbyu1 wrote:
BOID, I think I'm actually with you. In many ways I prefer independence to being in a conference. We get more exposure, get to play in more places against incredible oponents, etc. I think opponents will eventually start coming to Provo and that the NY6 bowl situation will eventually work itself out at as well.
Agree with you here also. I would like to point out another perspective regarding BYU independence that I find interesting. It is this: The longer that BYU remains independent, the more that BYU becomes another Notre Dame! Let me explain:
Warning! Lengthy Post! But fear not, it is mostly optimism, not soap box. If optimism is too tedious for some, then they may feel free to skip and move on. Disclaimer: the following opinions are merely my own and no association with other persons, living or dead, should be implied.
1... We often hear Uties and other haters attempt to scorn BYU by saying things like "Byu is so ridiculous for thinking that they could be like ND!" This is like Zoolander saying to Hansel: "You think you're too cool for school. But let me tell you something. You aren't!" The Uties sound just as lame saying this, but each and every time that they do, they are associating BYU and ND in the same sentence. They even put it on-line in Tweets and on Face Book, and countless forums. It's funny that they don't realize that this has the opposite long term effect than they think it does.
2... News media and reporters do it too. We read and hear items like: " BYU hoped to follow the ND model of independence, but they are finding out that they are not quite ND." Not quite? Doesn't that mean "partly," or "not completely," which is essentially the same as "almost?"
3... The more these comparisons are made, the more the association is strengthened. Discussions of one party end up evoking mention of the other, meaning that they have become linked. The big question becomes, "Is BYU, or is BYU not, another Notre Dame?" Then the label "ND of the West," begins to be thrown around. So you get the idea how, even negative comparisons, when bandied about frequently, become linked together, like Yin and Yang.
4... ND and BYU have become associated as the two non-members of P5's that qualify as P5 competition, exclusively so by the ACC. This would not have happened without BYU's move to independent status. And, no, Army and NMSU do not pass muster with any CFP, or other committee, or other thinking people, as being equivalent to ND and BYU. Army was added as a political dig, by the SEC and Big 10, but Army just doesn't have the SOS clout, and everyone knows it.
5... Since going independent, BYU has experienced increasing opportunities to schedule games in nationally famous venues, such as NFL stadiums. This is very Notre-Dame-like.
6... BYU's recruiting has become very exciting. This partly due to future schedules, and partly due to new coaches. Think Handsome Tanielu, and not Garrett Bolles. There is undeniably an upward trend in the athleticism and star value of BYU's recruits. This is also driven by independence, and is another way BYU is becoming more like ND.
7... Independence has become more exclusive. Of the four (I think there's only four) FBS teams that have remained independent, only BYU and ND stand out. Some have touted the loss of Miami, Penn St, Navy, Utah St, etc from the ranks of the independent, as an ominous, bad sign. But I don't think that it is, at least not for us. BYU is doing something here that most teams, including the Uties, could never muster the resources for. For BYU, this is expensive, but worth it. For most of the others, impossible. BYU and ND have dominated the amount of independent program ink, as well as the All-Independent 1st and 2nd Team selections put out by the media. In summary, the FBS Independent classification only has two relevant members left: Notre Dame and BYU!
Why am I going on like this? It's because of the inevitable trend for BYU to be seen as another ND for ALL purposes, and not just for scheduling. It will come, and in the not too distant future. If BYU plays similar teams in similar venues as ND, then they will be the same as ND. Equivalent access to the CFP will be yielded up. I believe that independence provides the shortest path to this goal. BYU won't even have to get double digit wins every year, like they would in the Big 12, for example, to pull this level of respect. Having the courage to go independent, and the means to maintain independence with a big time schedule, will draw the respect. The occasional big winning season as an independent will be remembered for a long time. Being a rival of Iowa St. or Kansas State will not bring BYU as much fame as would being a peer to ND in independence.
Call me crazy, but I would actually be a bit disappointed to see BYU give up the limelight it has, along with an exclusive ESPN contract (should be extended; can't imagine how it could not be), and BYUtv broadcast rights, just to join the Big 12 and be subject to Big 12 rules (that benefit TX and OU), and exit penalties, etc. BYU can afford independence, and the costs/opportunity costs of same will be well offset by the amazing exposure that independence brings. We're just beginning to see that now in 2015 and especially in the 2016/17 schedules. The momentum is upward, with recruiting, amazing new coaches, venues, and just about everything. That's why I'm not stressing out as a fan. I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the ride.
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