Since many on the East Coast are not very familiar with West Coast programs (as us in the West are not very familiar with the East Coast programs)...

I thought I would do a little comparison that I have done on occasion in the past. Fresno State Vs BYU as a D1 football program over the last 13 or so years.

Fresno State played mostly in the WAC. Not a real good conf. but ok.
BYU played in the MWC. Better than the WAC but not as much as some think.

BYU draws very well and is Provo Utah (about an hour east of St. Lake City).
Fresno State draws very well and is in Fresno.
Both draw fans from a very broad area.
_______________________________________________________

From 1999-2011

BYU 107-57
Fresno State 101-68
________________________________________________________

From 1999-2011

BYU played 33 BCS school and had a record of 16-17
Fresno State played 40 BCS schools and had a record of 17-23
________________________________________________________

From 1999-2011

BYU played 15 of those BCS on the road.
Fresno State played 26 of those BCS teams on the road.
________________________________________________________

I know the Big East wants BYU but pretty much in every way, Fresno State has been as good as BYU over the last 13 years.

(06-02-2012 04:54 PM)SteveAztec Wrote:  Since many on the East Coast are not very familiar with West Coast programs (as us in the West are not very familiar with the East Coast programs)...

I thought I would do a little comparison that I have done on occasion in the past. Fresno State Vs BYU as a D1 football program over the last 13 or so years.

Fresno State played mostly in the WAC. Not a real good conf. but ok.
BYU played in the MWC. Better than the WAC but not as much as some think.

BYU draws very well and is Provo Utah (about an hour east of St. Lake City).
Fresno State draws very well and is in Fresno.
Both draw fans from a very broad area.
_______________________________________________________

From 1999-2011

BYU 107-57
Fresno State 101-68
________________________________________________________

From 1999-2011

BYU played 33 BCS school and had a record of 16-17
Fresno State played 40 BCS schools and had a record of 17-23
________________________________________________________

From 1999-2011

BYU played 15 of those BCS on the road.
Fresno State played 26 of those BCS teams on the road.
________________________________________________________

I know the Big East wants BYU but pretty much in every way, Fresno State has been as good as BYU over the last 13 years.

I like Fresno as an add over Air Force. BYU does have a national title (back in 84 I think), which doesnt make a huge difference, but it does go to pedigree.

Honestly, the network people are driving this. The Big East is adding the teams that the networks would prefer. Apparantly the networks are saying BYU, Air Force, then (insert name here). The Big East has never said who the next best candidate is---we assume its Fresno, but who knows.

I personally think Air Force is short sighted. They are good as they can get. Just too many recruiting restrictions for Air Force to ever be much better than "pretty good". I believe Fresno's long term upside ceiling is far higher than that of Air Force. However, the Big East is woefully short of traditional well known "name brands"---so that may be a big part of the attraction of Air Force.

I don't think this is even debatable. Fresno never won the WAC, and if they were so valuable, they would have been in the original MWC.

(06-02-2012 05:08 PM)attackfrog Wrote:  the network people are driving this.

Yep.

I prefer BYU....I don't think Fresno fills up their stadium and was awful this past season. We need teams that will dominate in the near future....while
I think Fresno has potential I don't think they are ready just yet. In addition, they have a new head coach...someone totally new, not promoted from within.

BYU is definitely the more valuable one (it's the top team in Utah and has a following from Mormons in other areas). That said, in spite of all the rumors, I think they really do like the idea of being a football independent.

(06-02-2012 05:13 PM)BigEastHomer Wrote:  

(06-02-2012 05:08 PM)attackfrog Wrote:  the network people are driving this.

Yep.

And that's why BYU and AFA are being considered over Fresno State. What Fresno State conference game will have national appeal? I can only think of one and that's against Boise State and that's only one sided.

Thanks for the stats. I think your analysis is far from fact however. I see BYU as tops in each category before we even get to their superior schedule.

Fresno State attendance might be down the last 3 years (all three losing seasons) but it is still one of the highest on the West Coast.

Here is more on how Fresno State fans support their football...

http://www.gobulldogs.com/trads/fres-red.html

(06-02-2012 05:35 PM)CollegeCard Wrote:  Thanks for the stats. I think your analysis is far from fact however. I see BYU as tops in each category before we even get to their superior schedule.

Ohh, the stats are facts. Those are the numbers and they are very close in almost every area.

Hey, I understand that the Big East wants the cheaters from BYU (google Chad Bunn http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/...ers-suspe/ )...

But I just wanted to show that BYU is not a huge step up from Fresno State, IF at all.

BYU > Air Force > Fresno/ECU/others

(06-02-2012 05:36 PM)SteveAztec Wrote:  Fresno State attendance might be down the last 3 years (all three losing seasons) but it is still one of the highest on the West Coast.

Here is more on how Fresno State fans support their football...

http://www.gobulldogs.com/trads/fres-red.html

Steve I appreciate the support but the only reason you would take Fresno over BYU is if Fresno can be used to get Boise into the Big West and without them you would lose Boise back to the MWC.

BYU has a bigger stadium, support of Mormons across the country and a stronger history.

(06-02-2012 05:51 PM)Sactowndog Wrote:  

(06-02-2012 05:36 PM)SteveAztec Wrote:  Fresno State attendance might be down the last 3 years (all three losing seasons) but it is still one of the highest on the West Coast.

Here is more on how Fresno State fans support their football...

http://www.gobulldogs.com/trads/fres-red.html

Steve I appreciate the support but the only reason you would take Fresno over BYU is if Fresno can be used to get Boise into the Big West and without them you would lose Boise back to the MWC.

BYU has a bigger stadium, support of Mormons across the country and a stronger history.

Not true as to why I like Fresno State more.

I think they have more potential for the Big East to draw TV $'s, more access for the Big East recruiting by being in California, and a potential better football program than BYU.

And my thoughts have zero to do with the Big West in any way shape or form.

(06-02-2012 05:31 PM)ollin Wrote:  

(06-02-2012 05:13 PM)BigEastHomer Wrote:  

(06-02-2012 05:08 PM)attackfrog Wrote:  the network people are driving this.

Yep.

And that's why BYU and AFA are being considered over Fresno State. What Fresno State conference game will have national appeGal? I can only think of one and that's against Boise State and that's only one sided.

Fresno - San Diego State would have appeal as it is a true rivalry and rivalry gains always generate interest. It isn't Alabama Auburn but nothing in the Big East is. The most interesting game the big east has is UCF - USF. Given all the stuff that went on I might watch that game.

(06-02-2012 05:55 PM)Sactowndog Wrote:  

(06-02-2012 05:31 PM)ollin Wrote:  

(06-02-2012 05:13 PM)BigEastHomer Wrote:  

(06-02-2012 05:08 PM)attackfrog Wrote:  the network people are driving this.

Yep.

And that's why BYU and AFA are being considered over Fresno State. What Fresno State conference game will have national appeGal? I can only think of one and that's against Boise State and that's only one sided.

Fresno - San Diego State would have appeal as it is a true rivalry and rivalry gains always generate interest. It isn't Alabama Auburn but nothing in the Big East is. The most interesting game the big east has is UCF - USF. Given all the stuff that went on I might watch that game.

This years Aztec/Fresno State game is going to be crazy.

I have always liked the idea of Fresno. But if BYU wants to come, and we stop at 14, then it's a no-brainer, IMO, and it appears the media folks are advising the same. BYU has to be top choice. They are the only team out there that kicks up the TV value.

I agree with the reservations about Air Force. I actually favor Fresno over AF, but that doesn't look like it will happen. IF we stop at 14, then the only way Fresno makes it is if both BYU and AF turn us down, AND Fresno pops to the top of the list (I have no idea about that part).

BYU might turn us down, but right now, Air Force apparently is leaning toward joining, although things could change.

(06-02-2012 06:07 PM)TripleA Wrote:  I have always liked the idea of Fresno. But if BYU wants to come, and we stop at 14, then it's a no-brainer, IMO, and it appears the media folks are advising the same. BYU has to be top choice. They are the only team out there that kicks up the TV value.

I agree with the reservations about Air Force. I actually favor Fresno over AF, but that doesn't look like it will happen. IF we stop at 14, then the only way Fresno makes it is if both BYU and AF turn us down, AND Fresno pops to the top of the list (I have no idea about that part).

BYU might turn us down, but right now, Air Force apparently is leaning toward joining, although things could change.

So the SDSU ad said they were going no matter what.

So assume for purposes of this discussion 2 things:
1) The Big West won't take Boise without Fresno
2) Boise has some standards for their Olympic sports and will go back to the MWC before putting their sports in the Summit

Would the Big East prefer in this scenario:
1) Boise and Fresno
2) BYU and AF

With AQ off the table and talking to their media consultants the Big East would be just fine with the second option.

(06-02-2012 06:25 PM)Sactowndog Wrote:  

(06-02-2012 06:07 PM)TripleA Wrote:  I have always liked the idea of Fresno. But if BYU wants to come, and we stop at 14, then it's a no-brainer, IMO, and it appears the media folks are advising the same. BYU has to be top choice. They are the only team out there that kicks up the TV value.

I agree with the reservations about Air Force. I actually favor Fresno over AF, but that doesn't look like it will happen. IF we stop at 14, then the only way Fresno makes it is if both BYU and AF turn us down, AND Fresno pops to the top of the list (I have no idea about that part).

BYU might turn us down, but right now, Air Force apparently is leaning toward joining, although things could change.

So the SDSU ad said they were going no matter what.

So assume for purposes of this discussion 2 things:
1) The Big West won't take Boise without Fresno
2) Boise has some standards for their Olympic sports and will go back to the MWC before putting their sports in the Summit

Would the Big East prefer in this scenario:
1) Boise and Fresno
2) BYU and AF

With AQ off the table and talking to their media consultants the Big East would be just fine with the second option.

No, the BE wouldn't be fine with it, and neither would Boise. BYU and Boise are the BE's top choices, so they will do whatever they can to keep Boise, and also get BYU. You just won't give up on the idea of Boise going back to the MWC.

(06-02-2012 06:39 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(06-02-2012 06:25 PM)Sactowndog Wrote:  

(06-02-2012 06:07 PM)TripleA Wrote:  I have always liked the idea of Fresno. But if BYU wants to come, and we stop at 14, then it's a no-brainer, IMO, and it appears the media folks are advising the same. BYU has to be top choice. They are the only team out there that kicks up the TV value.

I agree with the reservations about Air Force. I actually favor Fresno over AF, but that doesn't look like it will happen. IF we stop at 14, then the only way Fresno makes it is if both BYU and AF turn us down, AND Fresno pops to the top of the list (I have no idea about that part).

BYU might turn us down, but right now, Air Force apparently is leaning toward joining, although things could change.

So the SDSU ad said they were going no matter what.

So assume for purposes of this discussion 2 things:
1) The Big West won't take Boise without Fresno
2) Boise has some standards for their Olympic sports and will go back to the MWC before putting their sports in the Summit

Would the Big East prefer in this scenario:
1) Boise and Fresno
2) BYU and AF

With AQ off the table and talking to their media consultants the Big East would be just fine with the second option.

No, the BE wouldn't be fine with it, and neither would Boise. BYU and Boise are the BE's top choices, so they will do whatever they can to keep Boise, and also get BYU. You just won't give up on the idea of Boise going back to the MWC.

I am not giving up on anything. Personally I think Boise doesn't give a darn about their Olympics and will willingly incur whatever damage to them is required to get football in the Big East. I also don't think the big west lets them in for just money.

In fact, if you are truely Machiavellian, I can see SDSU preferring this scenario. Either way they win by getting credit for getting Fresno in or they are in a league with old friends AF and BYU. They aren't really friends with Boise.

The chances of the big east facing this choice aren't zero if you assume Kustra gives a darn for any other football and his revenue and has a bottom line line in terms of Olympics. And yes the Big East should prefer Boise and BYU but you don't always get what you want in life. So what they would chose in this scenario is interesting. Given their recent history of choosing markets over success I again think they go with BYU AF.

(06-02-2012 04:54 PM)SteveAztec Wrote:  Since many on the East Coast are not very familiar with West Coast programs (as us in the West are not very familiar with the East Coast programs)...

I thought I would do a little comparison that I have done on occasion in the past. Fresno State Vs BYU as a D1 football program over the last 13 or so years.

Fresno State played mostly in the WAC. Not a real good conf. but ok.
BYU played in the MWC. Better than the WAC but not as much as some think.

BYU draws very well and is Provo Utah (about an hour east of St. Lake City).
Fresno State draws very well and is in Fresno.
Both draw fans from a very broad area.
_______________________________________________________

From 1999-2011

BYU 107-57
Fresno State 101-68
________________________________________________________

From 1999-2011

BYU played 33 BCS school and had a record of 16-17
Fresno State played 40 BCS schools and had a record of 17-23
________________________________________________________

From 1999-2011

BYU played 15 of those BCS on the road.
Fresno State played 26 of those BCS teams on the road.
________________________________________________________

I know the Big East wants BYU but pretty much in every way, Fresno State has been as good as BYU over the last 13 years.

Yes, but BYU has more National appeal and more TV sets watching.