Expansion Article

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/06/22/realignment-big-12/index.html





As a lifelong BYU fan, it seems to me that BYU is the biggest loser in the recent conference expansion. Our arch-rival, Utah, goes to the Pac-10 and we stay in the Mountain West. It appears that the only hope for BYU is to go to the Big 12 someday. Right now the Big 12, especially Texas, seems content with 10 teams. Do you see the Big 12 ever expanding back to 12 teams and taking BYU?

-- Shane Jensen, Salt Lake City



If you've ever been to BYU, you know its second-class characterization is completely ridiculous. In terms of facilities, resources and fan support, BYU more closely resembles a BCS program than half the schools in BCS conferences. However, the LDS-affiliated school is unquestionably a unique institution. It's an unofficial Mailbag policy not to delve into politics (college football is polarizing enough as it is), but I invite you to read this excellent piece by Salt Lake Tribune columnist Gordon Monson about why BYU could never "fit" with the Pac-10.



But Big 12 presidents might not have the same objections. BYU's one obvious drawback to the conference is that with Colorado gone, BYU really is nowhere near any of the other 10 members, and it's got no logical travel partner. Some have thrown out Air Force, but realistically, a service academy is never going to be able to compete on an annual basis with Texas and Oklahoma. As of now, it's not an issue, because like I said, the Big 12 isn't looking for new teams.



There's one scenario where I could see that stance changing, though: If, come 2012 or '13, Texas and Oklahoma run into problems with the BCS due to their watered-down league. Up until now, the Big 12 has always been viewed on the same playing field with the Big Ten and SEC, and its schools were virtually assured a spot in the championship game if they took care of business. Its teams have made seven appearances in 12 years. But we don't yet know how the pollsters will treat this new conference. Will the 'Horns and Sooners still get the benefit of the doubt due to their recent track record, or will they be penalized for perceived weak conference competition? If it becomes a problem, then maybe a call goes out to BYU and TCU.



(Or Texas gets back on the phone with Scott...)



If you're Boise State, what do you do? They move to the Mountain West to significantly increase their chances to get to a BCS bowl and Utah pulls the rug out from under them. Do you convince the MWC to add Fresno State and others or do you try to get into the Pac-10 or Big 12?

-- Guy Beaudry, Winnipeg



Obviously it's unfortunate timing, but Utah-to-the-Pac-10 was always a possibility. Boise still took a step up. Besides the Broncos, the WAC's highest-ranked team in the BCS standings last season (according to CollegeBCS.com) was Fresno State at 52nd. More than half its teams (five) were ranked 82nd or lower. Compare that to the Mountain West, which had three teams in the top 25, though admittedly also had its share of weaklings (San Diego State, Colorado State and New Mexico were ranked 95th or lower). The league still has an outside chance of gaining a BCS automatic berth in two years, but it's going to need its top teams (including Boise) to maintain their recent level and, just as importantly, some significant improvement from the bottom third of the league. Depth is the one area still killing the Mountain West in the BCS's qualification formula.



Remember, Boise's program, as successful as it's been, is still in a relatively infant state. If conference realignment was solely about BCS rankings, someone would swipe up the Broncos right now, but as it is, the school's overall athletic program isn't yet strong enough, the university itself isn't that highly regarded in academic circles and Boise is a small TV market. If Boise keeps building like Utah, though, its call could come in the next realignment go-around.



Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/06/22/realignment-big-12/index.html#ixzz0rhtqPMRu

Second down

Is BYU one of the big losers of expansion, with rival Utah leaving the MWC and with a potential chance to join a depleted Big 12 apparently gone?



Curtis: I guess, but I'm not sure the BYU folks would see things that way. As early as the winter, reports surfaced that BYU's religious affiliation would make the school a tough sell to the presidents of charter Pac-10 schools. Certainly, BYU's administration takes tremendous pride in that part of the school identity and wouldn't waver if it cost them the chance to pocket a few more bucks and play Washington State more often.



Plus, the Utah-BYU rivalry won't perish—Utes athletic director Chris Hill committed to trying to maintain the series. And don't forget, BYU figures to be in a BCS automatic qualifying league in two years anyway. So it's not a big deal.



Hayes: BYU is likely the biggest loser through no fault of its own. Utah grew exponentially over the last decade under Urban Meyer and Kyle Whittingham, and became the more attractive expansion option. Either school could've delivered the Salt Lake City television market for the Pac-10, and now BYU will fall further behind its bitter rival Utah in recruiting.



It's hard enough for BYU to compete with the Utes because of more strict admission standards; it's going to be even harder to win individual recruiting battles with Utah selling its BCS conference affiliation and the chance to play for a national title.



Third down

How would you like to see Arkansas in the Big 12, a hot rumor recently?



Curtis: I'm not a fan. I guess I'm too young to get psyched about an annual dose of Arkansas-Texas. The Razorbacks have developed a nice season-ending rivalry with LSU, and the early date with Texas A&M fills the old SWC fix. The Hogs, already in a great league, don't need to move to improve their standing or make more cash. The Big 12 seems set to take on this brave new world with 10 teams. Leave everything alone.



Hayes: Anyone at Arkansas considering this move should have his head examined. The Hogs reside in the strongest, biggest, baddest, most loyal conference in all of college football. Everyone shares everything—right down to the last dime.



Why in the world would Arkansas want to join a conference with weak leadership and fuzzy television numbers (I'm still not buying it) and where three teams rule and the other seven are simply giddy to be part of a BCS conference.



Arkansas hasn't made much headway in football in the SEC, even though it has appeared in three league championship games (losing all three). The Hogs haven't developed any natural rivals other than LSU, which was once a big rival in the first three decades of last century. Yet moving to the Big 12 still would be the biggest (athletic) mistake ever made by the heavy hitters within the school administration.



Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2010-06-23/four-downs-inter-conference-challenges-and-more#ixzz0rhu0BC4D

Same article



Fourth down

It's never too early to look ahead: Rank your top five games of Week 1.



Curtis:



1. Boise Statevs. Virginia Tech at Landover, Md. Monday night neutral-siter will establish Broncos' national-title chances.



2. TCUvs. Oregon State at Arlington, Texas. Saturday night neutral-siter will show whether the Beavers can hang in the Pac-10, and whether TCU again will dominate the Mountain West.



3. Connecticut at Michigan. The Trial of Rich Rodriguez begins against a strong and steady set of Huskies.



4. LSU vs. North Carolina at Atlanta. Watch the quarterbacks in this one. If either program can get good play behind center, it becomes a championship contender.



5. Kentucky at Louisville. Don't underestimate the importance of two black head coaches making their debuts against one another on ABC.



Hayes:



1. Boise State vs. Virginia Tech. The last time Boise State faced a BCS team that could control tempo and run downhill—and didn't give up on the run—it got ugly at Georgia. This is obviously a much different Boise State team, but the underlying theme is the same: Can the Broncos play physical?



2. LSU vs. North Carolina. UNC coach Butch Davis has recruited well, and his defense looks like the Miami defenses of the 1990s. Time to show it against an SEC heavyweight.



3. Pittsburgh at Utah. Big East-favorite Panthers get a big test for new QB Tino Sunseri.



4. Connecticut at Michigan. Can it really be must-win for Michigan in Week 1?



5. SMU at Texas Tech. Tommy Tuberville's first game in Lubbock will be one of the toughest of his first season because of Junes Jones' run-and-shoot offense.



Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2010-06-23/four-downs-inter-conference-challenges-and-more#ixzz0rhuFYYJt



No BYU-UW game but this is national attention for the MWC.