(05-17-2011 02:53 PM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 02:43 PM)Frog People Wrote:  Background info on the writer...
Brett Richins worked for five years as the play-by-play announcer for BYU football and basketball for BYUtv.

Follow up post from the writer...
"Let me clarify — BYU did not turn down an official invite from the Big East.

The mormon "infighting" going on in the State of Utah (yes, many Mormons are fans/alumni of Univ of Utah), between BYU and Utah fans has escalated, ever since Utah is now singing their praises of the HUGE TV Deal the new Pac-12 just signed.

BYU has been made to look like the little step child...when just a few months ago...both schools were seen as equals (i.e. both members of Mountain West Conf).

It's like the football version of Mitt Romney and John Huntsman

(05-17-2011 03:30 PM)animus Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:29 PM)tcufrog86 Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:28 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:07 PM)animus Wrote:  If this is true and all sports is on the table, might as well go after Boise St. and another school out that way like Colorado St. or Air Force. And have some way to cut down on east/west Olympic sports meets with the Championships at TCU or something(if possible).

Yep, I think that's why Houston is still on the table. BYU, Houston and possibly another school to bridge the gap.

BYU/Houston/Memphis

BE West
Cincy
Louisville
Memphis
TCU
Houston
BYU

Just speculation, but could be a fun division.

Looks good to me...

BYU would be very reluctant to join a league that it could not control. You'll notice that BYU and the 4 other Front Range schools (AF, Colo St, Wyoming, Utah) formed the MWC, and never let it grow past 9 such that the Front Range schools always controlled every vote.

Once Utah left and Boise State replaced them, the Front Range schools were in the minority, and BYU started exploring its options, eventually deciding on independence.

Further, I can't imagine the Catholic schools getting very excited about admitting a Mormon school.

But athletics sometimes makes for strange bedfellows. If BYU really fears Utah leaving them in their dust financially and the Big East would be a lot more lucrative for BYU than independence, who knows.

It seems to me that the only chance the BYU angle works is if:

1. The Big East football schools break off and form their own league, and
2. They offer BYU an all-sports invitation

TCU had no other lucrative options, BYU does and may make more from their current arrangement.

I am not surprised they turned FB only down.

(05-17-2011 03:15 PM)animus Wrote:  If this is true, I agree that the Big East is looking at 12, with Boise St. being the next school to be contacted. Seems like the Big East is looking "bigger" than the normal prospects.

I wonder if BYU is releasing this info, to kind of force Big 12 to get its act together if they want to go to 12.

(05-17-2011 03:27 PM)NoQuarter08 Wrote:  IF TRUE.....If the B12 is smart they go after BYU and Boise right now. That being said, I don't think Boise would get a call from the BE. They just don't have a following. With all their accomplishments they've only got a 30k stadium and they're located in a small market with no "travel partner" closeby.

So if the Big 12 was smart they'd add a program that you think the Big East should turn down because it lacks a following, stadium, travel partner, and market?

Didn't the BE give TCU a 'football only' offer first? Then after getting rebuffed come back with an all-sports? Interesting to see just what is the balance between footprint/travel versus a very desirable candidate... But if they really want to build the strongest conference (travel costs be damned), then BYU would be a great add. Personally, I just can't see it happening. We'd have to become the 'Big-USA', or the 'Big-Airplane' conference. But in this day and age, maybe it could work.

I remember a few months ago posting asking everyone what they thought the big surprise might be... and I don't think anyone called this!

I don't think there is any desire to go to 12 by the various parties that make these decisions, and by various parties I mean Texas AD Deloss Dodds.

(05-17-2011 03:30 PM)animus Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:28 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:07 PM)animus Wrote:  If this is true and all sports is on the table, might as well go after Boise St. and another school out that way like Colorado St. or Air Force. And have some way to cut down on east/west Olympic sports meets with the Championships at TCU or something(if possible).

Yep, I think that's why Houston is still on the table. BYU, Houston and possibly another school to bridge the gap.

You must admit that this BYU stuff gets you a bit more excited about the leagues future than the usual suspects we've been talking about the past 4-5 years.

Meh. I think UCF would be a better long-term addition. BYU's history is filled with beating up Wyoming, UNLV, New Mexico, etc. They also had one of the most innovative coaches of the 1980s and a really strong run of QBs. They have maintained a strong program and have great fan support, but I don't see how BYU would actually benefit the league. Its just another good team. BYU will not have an affect on the Big East teams recruiting kids in the western US. And I'm not sure if some of you have ever seen a map, but Texas is in no way a bridge to Utah so BYU would always just be a conference outlier. Adding UCF would bring a major rivalry to the conference along with more press in the state which has the best football prospects. Just my opinion though. Besides, I don't see how it can excite you. They said no and didn't seem to show enough interest for the Big East to even approach them in an official manner.

BYU's the only truly "national" non-AQ team. They don't like that Utah left them behind, but they don't have to do anything unless it's on their terms.

(05-17-2011 03:30 PM)animus Wrote:  You must admit that this BYU stuff gets you a bit more excited about the leagues future than the usual suspects we've been talking about the past 4-5 years.

As it should. BYU would be at least a TCU level acquisition and in many respects an even better addition than TCU. They bring fans, market, basketball quality, football quality. From a fan's perspective what's not to love?

(05-17-2011 03:27 PM)10thMountain Wrote:  Look at how TCU started out.

The BE wanted them as football only. TCU (rightly) said "hell no, all sports or nothing" and it got them a full invite.

I could see the same happening for BYU to get the 10th spot as all sports and the BE stopping there at 10/18.

BYU is clearly the next best get out there. 65K stadium they full, large national following, excellent academics, best non-AQ football pedigree, basketball consistently solid. They also fit in nicely with the BE culture of private schools and urban schools.

BE going to bend over backwards for BYU's instance of no Sunday play? The Presidents at those BE schools going to look kindly at the lack of Academic Freedom at BYU?

I can't believe any of you guys are even buying this...what a crock.

(05-17-2011 03:32 PM)NoGoodBum Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:05 PM)NoGoodBum Wrote:  Was this before or after TCU? Article did not state. The initial contact from the BE

After. Article says it was from the last several days.

Article stated rumors were recent, I was wondering about the actual contact with BYU.
[/quote]

I'd assume the rumors started shortly after contact. Not sure why rumors would begin 6 months after BE-BYU contact. But that's just my interpretation.

(05-17-2011 03:30 PM)animus Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:28 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:07 PM)animus Wrote:  If this is true and all sports is on the table, might as well go after Boise St. and another school out that way like Colorado St. or Air Force. And have some way to cut down on east/west Olympic sports meets with the Championships at TCU or something(if possible).

Yep, I think that's why Houston is still on the table. BYU, Houston and possibly another school to bridge the gap.

You must admit that this BYU stuff gets you a bit more excited about the leagues future than the usual suspects we've been talking about the past 4-5 years.

No question it fires me up! This is similar to the feeling we got when we heard the Big East was pursuing TCU. A BCS program in a Non-BCS home. BYU is the same thing and it would add tradition to the league. Suddenly we're adding programs that have won national titles in BYU and TCU and adds a ton of credibility to the league.

(05-17-2011 03:42 PM)superdeluxe Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:27 PM)10thMountain Wrote:  Look at how TCU started out.

The BE wanted them as football only. TCU (rightly) said "hell no, all sports or nothing" and it got them a full invite.

I could see the same happening for BYU to get the 10th spot as all sports and the BE stopping there at 10/18.

BYU is clearly the next best get out there. 65K stadium they full, large national following, excellent academics, best non-AQ football pedigree, basketball consistently solid. They also fit in nicely with the BE culture of private schools and urban schools.

BE going to bend over backwards for BYU's instance of no Sunday play? The Presidents at those BE schools going to look kindly at the lack of Academic Freedom at BYU?

The Big East is in no position to be ultra selective. No current AQ teams are banging down the BE door for membership. Its either the MWC leftovers or start sifting through CUSA again.

Also, I think a lot of the anti BYU sentiment in the PAC has more to do with their anti-homosexual marriage stance not jiving with the Cali and NW schools who are in super liberal states than with the Sunday rule and Church doctrines.

(05-17-2011 03:45 PM)CountryClub Wrote:  I can't believe any of you guys are even buying this...what a crock.

Weren't you guys saying that when TCU was rumored to be talking to the Big East?

(05-17-2011 03:47 PM)10thMountain Wrote:  Also, I think a lot of the anti BYU sentiment in the PAC has more to do with their anti-homosexual marriage stance not jiving with the Cali and NW schools who are in super liberal states than with the Sunday rule and Church doctrines.

People didn't like BYU long before the gay marriage thing became an issue. It makes a lot more sense to say that a lot of people just don't like Mormons.

(05-17-2011 03:47 PM)10thMountain Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:42 PM)superdeluxe Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:27 PM)10thMountain Wrote:  Look at how TCU started out.

The BE wanted them as football only. TCU (rightly) said "hell no, all sports or nothing" and it got them a full invite.

I could see the same happening for BYU to get the 10th spot as all sports and the BE stopping there at 10/18.

BYU is clearly the next best get out there. 65K stadium they full, large national following, excellent academics, best non-AQ football pedigree, basketball consistently solid. They also fit in nicely with the BE culture of private schools and urban schools.

BE going to bend over backwards for BYU's instance of no Sunday play? The Presidents at those BE schools going to look kindly at the lack of Academic Freedom at BYU?

The Big East is in no position to be ultra selective. No current AQ teams are banging down the BE door for membership. Its either the MWC leftovers or start sifting through CUSA again.

Also, I think a lot of the anti BYU sentiment in the PAC has more to do with their anti-homosexual marriage stance not jiving with the Cali and NW schools who are in super liberal states than with the Sunday rule and Church doctrines.

While you are correct, to me this proves that the Big East is trying to get better. If BYU says no to an all sports feeler then I think we all can move on. Nothing here proved to me that the Big East went that route or didn't go that route yet. I'd say if/when they say no, the Big East should just sit at 9. Right now, it really seems that the usual suspects are really off the table. IMO

(05-17-2011 03:40 PM)Nola Gator Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:30 PM)animus Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:28 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(05-17-2011 03:07 PM)animus Wrote:  If this is true and all sports is on the table, might as well go after Boise St. and another school out that way like Colorado St. or Air Force. And have some way to cut down on east/west Olympic sports meets with the Championships at TCU or something(if possible).

Yep, I think that's why Houston is still on the table. BYU, Houston and possibly another school to bridge the gap.

You must admit that this BYU stuff gets you a bit more excited about the leagues future than the usual suspects we've been talking about the past 4-5 years.

Meh. I think UCF would be a better long-term addition. BYU's history is filled with beating up Wyoming, UNLV, New Mexico, etc. They also had one of the most innovative coaches of the 1980s and a really strong run of QBs. They have maintained a strong program and have great fan support, but I don't see how BYU would actually benefit the league. Its just another good team. BYU will not have an affect on the Big East teams recruiting kids in the western US. And I'm not sure if some of you have ever seen a map, but Texas is in no way a bridge to Utah so BYU would always just be a conference outlier. Adding UCF would bring a major rivalry to the conference along with more press in the state which has the best football prospects. Just my opinion though. Besides, I don't see how it can excite you. They said no and didn't seem to show enough interest for the Big East to even approach them in an official manner.