So the Jury is still out on what BYU is doing with regards to Independence or returning to the MWC. But with Utah certainly gone soon to the PAC, and BYU possibly leaving, there is a remarkable disparity between the average computer rankings for TCU and the remaining members of the conference.
The difference is so great, I've heard they may consider renaming the conference "TCU and friends".
http://bit.ly/9SimMO
Of Course, Boise's numbers will actually look pretty good when they join in a year, but I haven't included them in the link above. (Maybe later).
This second link isn't as informational, but was used to prove a point to a friend, so I thought I'd post it here.
http://bit.ly/9KlFaK
August 26, 2010
August 25, 2010
BYU to back to the MWC likely according to the Denver Post
I honestly think BYU to the MWC is best for them in the short term. I would not be surprised if this happens with some additional flexibility for BYU broadcasting rights. It might be a win for BYU and the MWC. Sounds like we may be official news tomorrow.
August 24, 2010
August 23, 2010
Have the BCS and BYU talked regarding access?
Have the BCS and BYU talked regarding access? - CBSSports.com:
I think this is the best paragraph summary of what's going on right now with BYU independence by Dennis Dodd of CBS sports:
"Right now, no one has full leverage. BYU can't find enough games, improved access or more television money at the moment. The MWC doesn't want to lose BYU because it might lose The Mtn. Thompson wouldn't confirm there is language in the contract that allows The Mtn. to dissolve if Utah and/or BYU leave. That, however, is the assumption.
We are in Day 5 of a strange standoff."
Jon WIlner's Thoughts on BYU Expansion
Jon Wilner is a writer I have enjoyed reading throughout the summer. He writes for the Mercury News and covers many of the college and professional teams in the Bay area. He's written a few pieces on BYU since their decision will ultimately affect the WAC (and SJSU). He suggests that the Cougars 2011 schedule would be tough to fill independently for 2011 without WAC teams, but that they might be able to do it in 2012 or 2013. He suggests that maybe the Cougars will try to sit in the MWC for a couple more years while they get their schedules ready for independence for a few years down the road.
My biggest and absolute self-perplexing question in all of this is: What is BYU going to do with all of their Olympic sports? The WAC just isn't an option at this point, and the WCC will still require a cut of many of BYU's current sports. I still maintain I'll be shocked if BYU sacrifices Olympic sports for football indepenence.
We'll see what happens.
August 20, 2010
BYU Independence
Man this has been the craziest summer that I can remember with regards to college football.
Set aside all the craziness that happened with the Big XII and the PAC-10 and the high-stakes game of Texas hold 'em. That was just the beginning. Just last week, BYU decided they were going to play their own high-stakes game of Texas hold 'em so they can get better exposure and broadcasting rights to their games. But then Craig Thompson pulled an Ace out of nowhere and BYU is left considering backup plans.
Two obvious questions come to my mind with regards to the recent rumors / announcements about independence:
(1) Why is BYU opposed to reaching a BCS game the same way TCU, Boise, and Utah have done it?
It's certainly possible for non-BCS teams to reach a BCS game. I refuse to believe that the reason BYU wants independence is to get more $$$ from Television exposure. BYU has tons of money, including 10% of mine. I don't think BYU is going to get the same BCS exception that Notre Dame has as an independent, which means a BCS game is going to be extremely tough for BYU to reach via independent status. If going independent isn't for TV money, and it will be harder to reach a BCS game than if you stayed in the MWC, why go?
(2) Does BYU have a plan B?
Initially, BYU's plan was go independent in football with all other sports going to the WAC. Craig Thompson absolutely destroyed that plan when he took a shot across BYU's bow by inviting Fresno and Nevada to the MWC. It seems pretty clear this was BYU's preferred plan, especially because news surfaced that BYU had been in talks with the WAC since July wanting a $5M commitment from each WAC member. Apparently, Fresno and Nevada didn't get the memo . . . or didn't care. More likely, they gambled that if they jumped ship, there wouldn't be a WAC left to pay the buyout fee to.
The question here is if BYU would still go independent in football at the cost of all their other sports. BYU fields more sports than any other current MWC team, and competing with the desolate scraps of what remains of the WAC would be uncompetitive and unwise, competing with small schools ranging geographically from Hawaii to Louisiana Tech. Ugh. There have been rumors of BYU's other sports landing in the WCC, but to me that is even worse. The WCC only fields 13 sports, so BYU would immediately scrap 6 sports, plus I don't think BYU fans would enjoy watching the Cougars play road games in 5000 seat gyms of small parochial schools in California.
I think the best option for the Cougars at this point is to return to the MWC which is not bolstered by a few more teams, and hope for the BCS play-in game against the CUSA champ, as is suggested here. They could still go independent, but for a school that takes so much pride in all their other sports, any other currently available scenario seems like almost certain suicide for BYU's non-football sports. In the end I think BYU football goes back to the MWC.
As a Ute fan, I have to say the best part of this whole situation is that the target for the 2010-2011 season has moved from a red jersey to a blue jersey, or so I perceive. In any case, this season in the MWC could be UGLY.
What are your thoughts? What should BYU do ?
August 3, 2010
T-minus 1 month
I missed posting it yesterday, but August 2nd marked one month from Utah's first football game against Pittsburg! This summer has gone by incredibly fast, probably in part to all the off-season realignment drama. Now that Utah's fall camp is only two days away, I can definitely get enough of a football fix to hold off until Sept. 2nd. The bigger challenge may be actually finding a way to watch the game!
July 28, 2010
TCU Picked To Win 2010 Mountain West Conference Football Title - MWC OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
TCU picked to win the conference this year. I don't see how they can't be the favorites. I think that was a double negative . . . or something.
July 27, 2010
Led by savvy commissioner Larry Scott, Pac-10 rebrands its image - Andy Staples - SI.com
Awesome Article about PAC-10 Commissioner Larry Scott and some of the inside details about the new conference logo and making of the PAC-10 brand. Anybody who doesn't think Larry Scott is a visionary conference commissioner hasn't been paying attention. This guy is an absolute stud.
July 26, 2010
July 25, 2010
July 23, 2010
A Look at Utah's Defense.
This is a really old post, but for the slightly more inclined college football fan, knowing some of these terms and schemes is helpful. I'd say this is totally outdated, but I don't think Utah's defense has changed much in the time Whittingham has been there.
Breakdown of the Jazz Roster – 2010 | Utah Jazz 360
Good, but really really long. I admitedly only read a few parts of it. Some of the highlight videos are good though.
July 22, 2010
Perhaps Gordon Hayward chose the wrong profession?
Gordon Hayward, the Jazz first round draft pick this year apparently does a little rapping on the side. This smash hit entitled "Too big yo" is a pretty fine piece of work. If things don't work out with the Jazz, it must feel good for Gordon knowing he can always have rapping as a fall-back plan.
July 21, 2010
Utes Roderick visits Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen about improving the running game
There isn't anybody I'd rather have Roderick visiting about playbooks with. As far as I'm concerned, Mullen is one of the best. With two outstanding backs and a better than usual offensive line this year, Utah's running game had better be good. Utah's running game has gotten to the point where you can tell they're trying to generate yardage by "out scheming" and thinking too much. I'd like to see a smash-mouth running game a la 2004. Say what you want about McBride, but the Utes always had a smashmouth running back and running game during his years at the helm. If Asiata can actually stay healthy this year (an admittedly big IF), then I like our chances.
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