Who won--BYU or Utah?

Yes I know we are wearing Blue Goggles, but try to answer this honestly. Assuming that right now, the overall health and quality of the BYU and Utah athletic departments is roughly similar (although we had a great year in the DF Duel!), who will come out on top in 5-10 years, given the current deals?

Obviously it could go either way. The big difference: Utah's fate depends on how well the PAC-12 does. BYU's fate depends on how well BYU does. I'll take BYU's place any day.

I would call it a wash financially with BYU getting the edge on the exposure front. Since there was no option for that on the list, I voted for wash.

It all depends on how much BYU is getting from ESPN. Utah doesn't start getting money from the Pac-12 for several years while BYU start getting their money on Day 1. For that reason alone it's tough to not go with BYU. ESPN is treating BYU like a first class citizen, while Utah is getting leftover scraps for a few years.

Utah getting into the PAC-12 was an A+ for them. BYU going independent was a B or B+ for BYU. The Big XII or PAC-12 would be an A+. But considering the options available, BYU improved itself in the short and log term. An 8 year deal with ESPN guarantees viability while the BCS expansion mess sorts itself out and teh MWC continues to languish with a horrible TV deal not living up to the promises of Comcast and CBS Sports. BYU improved itself as much as possible right now, today. Staying in the MWC would have been a D-.

Both win. But a BYU win, is also a loss for the average Utah fan. ;) So I am happy twice over...

BYU has the slight advantage. Exposure and access is the key. PAc-10 offers some level of security and conf championship, but it seems we will be seeing much more of BYU on TV than the SpYewties will be seeing their teams--particularly in Bball. I might be swayed into big win for BYU.

BYU did. 26-23 in overtime. How could you forget?



My feelings on this is Utah who? Aside from game week I won't give Utah a second thought...or a first thought for that matter.

My feeling is that it's a push. Utah to the PAC-10 is a good move for Utah in terms of getting quality opponents to SLC to play.



BYU independent is just right. We have a unique brand that needs to get out there. With the ESPN deal this is a great deal.

Both schools won. Utah became part of a BCS conference and BYU got the exposure and money they have deserved for years. Good job by both schools of getting out of the MWC mess.



As far as complaints, I have none. I think that exposure and ease of seeing one's team is most important for most fans after winning. Remember all the complaints on cb about the TV deal that was a headache for years. directtv certainly helped, but it was still a pain in the neck (not to mention expensive) to get the "right" package.



Then the basketball deal. I don't think BYU has to worry about the RPI in the WCC. They'll make the tournament with a good record and with their name now. And I'll enjoy playing gonzaga, Portland, and St. Mary's more than UNLV at TandM or the Lobos in the pit. I will miss seeing someone like Jimmer Fredette tear apart SDSU at home though (hopefully 3 years in a row). :D Like I read earlier (in the basketball forum) The WCC RPI will be better with BYU and the MWC's will drop without BYU.



Good times ahead.

I'm with the "push" crowd. Clearly we could not get invited to the PAC 12 no matter how much we wanted it. And also clearly Utah could not have gone indipendant no matter how much they would have wanted to. Both schools did what they alone could do, it's a wash.....

Let's see:



BYU national TV with ESPN > Utah regional TV with Fox Sports

BYU pick schedule > Utah doesn't even know who will be in their division yet, but everyone will be pissed to be in Utah's division.

BYU has TV station and HD truck > Utah has truck that is run on cold fusion

BYU has 6 games with Notre Dame > Utah has one game with Notre Dame

BYU makes $8-$10 million from ESPN in 2011 > Utah makes $0 from Pac 10 in 2011

BYU keeps mascot > Utah meet your new mascot:Big Red Chicken.jpg

You pick the winner...

short-term : BYU wins. Utah gets nothing and is still in flux.

Long-term: Probably Utah. direct BCS route, and likely more money from the Plaque-10 than we get Indie.

It's pretty much a wash at this point, but BYU won most recently 26-23, so edge to the Cougs!