What Big 10 Expansion Could Mean For BYU
by Layton on Dec 16, 2009 8:14 PM PST
9 comments
The Big 10 (really 11, but who's counting?) came out with word recently that they're seriously looking into expanding the league to 12 teams, even as soon as 2011. And while we think about the prospects, let me put a quick end to the excitement you're feeling on behalf of Bronco and Co.: BYU would not be invited to join that league, the Big 12 or the Pac-10 as a result of the Big 10 expanding. However, that doesn't mean the Cougars won't be seriously affected by what may happen after next season. Here's why 1) BYU won't be invited, and 2) why they may be feeling the brunt of such actions by the already big Big 10.
Before I examine the reasons of leaving BYU out, here's what the expected plan is: when the Big 10 (11) expands to 12, Missouri jumps ship and joins the Big 10, or Notre Dame flees its independent status and joins. The latter is less likely as Notre Dame enjoys being able to play anybody, at any time of the season, and not splitting any possible earnings. A "conference" schedule's not really their style.
As for BYU...
1. As an avid college football fan, and obvious BYU fan, I'd love nothing more than to see some of the Baylor's, Arkansas's, and Colorado's, be relegated to mid-major status, and have BYU (or other "worthy" teams) take their place much like what happens in England's Premier League (yes, that's a soccer reference). Without question there are few teams in the power conferences that should be demoted (Baylor, Colorado and Texas Tech, first and foremost).
Unfortunately, relegating these teams, or expanding conferences, doesn't open the door for BYU to join them; TCU and Utah? Perhaps, but not BYU. Though the Cougars have tradition, high-powered offenses and a national following, they're still the odd man out in these scenarios. Why? For starters, they can't compete on a national recruiting stage with Utah or TCU, not to mention Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio St., etc. I know they get the likes of Jake Heaps, Kyle Van Noy, Zac Stout and others, absolutely terrific talent, but they're more scheme players (maybe with the exception of Heaps) than superior athletes with speed and strength. As long as the program focuses their attention on players who will live by the Honor Code (which I whole-heartedly support and agree with), they will be left with mostly second-tier talent.
As for Utah and TCU...
TCU absolutely makes the most sense of joining a BCS conference when you consider recruiting demographic, geographic positioning and natural rivalries (Texas, Oklahoma, etc.). They've been one of the most consistent (and winning) teams over the last decade, and with this year's success, they're a very sexy pick to join. The only thing that may hold them back is a very fickle fan base and a terrible basketball program.
Next up, after TCU, would have to be Utah. With their success in 2004 and 2008, great recruiting channels, a known basketball program, and a very zealous fan base, they've got all the ingredients to make an impact and land the coveted spot. The only thing holding them back might be their lack of sustained success/history, and the fact they play in Utah (it's kinda out of the way...just sayin').
In any event, with either of those teams leaving the MWC, BYU suffers big time. All of the sudden the MWC becomes an average league at best. The best hope is to expand the MWC very, very soon by adding Boise St., Houston, Tulsa, Nevada, and Fresno St., and dump a couple cellar-dwellers, and then get an automatic BCS bid (by addition or elimination). If the MWC were to obtain such a bid, TCU, Utah nor BYU would have any inclination to leave the conference for greener pastures because they'd be feeding where the cows are fat and happy, and this whole argument becomes unimportant, much like the climate talks in Copenhagen.
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BYU to the Big 12
If there is one conference BYU matches most with in each sporting and academic category it would have to be Big 12… or PAC 10. I personally think BYU’s recruiting ability would sky rocket despite the honor code. BYU to the Big 12 is my #1 choice over all the conferences. I don’t see how Utah (who’s basketball program was known… not much since Majerus left) would be a better fit than BYU but if the Big 12 were to consider a MWC team it would no doubt be TCU only because of location and recent success in football… and maybe baseball, outside of that they just aren’t competitive.
If money is what the Big 12 seeks nobody will bring in more than BYU, which is BYU’s major advantage over the others.
As for the national recruiting, I don’t think Utah or TCU touch BYU in that category. Do TCU and Utah have more success in Texas than BYU? Yeah. But the hot bed of football has and always will be California. That’s BYU’s territory, at least in MWC terms. Texas is #2 but I think BYU has a unique ability to step into any state they please and almost hand pick the LDS kids, even in Texas. Now don’t get me wrong, BYU does have an honor code that makes it difficult to recruit the non-LDS talent but I really don’t see Utah or TCU having any advantage in any state recruiting top talent over BYU. That might be my blue goggles but I just don’t see it.
Could you imagine what our football program would look like if missions were a non-factor? We bring in great talent fresh out of high school but it’s difficult to develop them when they play for a year and come back 2 years later as soft as the Pillsbury Doughboy. BYU would be a consistent top 12 team every year.
Sorry this post is all over the place! I’m no literary giant and if I could just tell my mind to slow down so I could complete a sentence before starting the next in my head I might sound less 3rd graderish(?).
by vaughnzipper on Dec 16, 2009 9:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
"Money...it's a crime...
“Share it fairly, but don’t take a slice of my pie.”
That’s what this whole thing boils down to. Sure, these conferences want to expand, but only if their slices of pie aren’t reduced. Does BYU, Utah or TCU add more than they take away?
by NittanyCougar on Dec 17, 2009 6:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
big 12
BYU was a choice for the big 12 almost 15 years ago and if Missouri goes to the big 10 it would come down to byu and Utah not tcu. The only reason for not bringing in tcu is that would make the big 12 unbalanced geographically thus unappealing. Now that is not to say the big 12 would add tcu and put them in the north. BYU should be the top choice for the big 12 needs another team
by Jeremy Mauss on Dec 17, 2009 7:28 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
BYU doesn't play ball on Sunday.
Most conferences have Sunday basketball. I read once that BYU opted out of the PAC-8 expansion to the PAC-10 in the 80s for this reason.
I disagree with the recruiting argument. We don’t hold up to the top 10 schools but we certainly can compete. Olsen, Heaps, Apo, and almost Teo.
by Couga on Dec 17, 2009 12:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
And that's the second reason...
In my haste, I forgot to add the no-Sunday play. Perhaps even more than recruiting, which I still think is reason #1 (the best athletes will never come to BYU as long as they can’t have fun relative to what they already know and experience), not playing on Sunday can create big problems for a conference who could make a lot more money from Sunday play (mostly basketball) by TV deals and fan support than say, Wednesday nights.
If BYU were a school whose teams played on Sunday they would have already joined the Big 12 in the 90s or the Pac-10 in the 80s…just like you said.
Vanquish the Foe, a BYU Cougars blog at SB Nation
by Layton on Dec 17, 2009 1:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
B12 won't take TCU
The Big 12 won’t take TCU. They already have 4 texas teams. They don’t need a 5th. They would have to rename the Big 12 South division to the Big 12 Texas division. Adding TCU takes the Texas pie and splits it into 5 instead of 4. Adding BYU adds the Utah pie to the Texas Pie. If the B12 is shaken up I would think BYU would be 1st in line for an invite.
Also, everybody talks about Utah being chosen over BYU in PAC10 expansion. The only way I see the Pac10 expanding is if they are able to lure Colorado from the B12. This would also leave a B12 North spot open for BYU.
At the end of the day I don’t think the B12 will change. I think the B10 will steal from the Big East and the Pac 10 will stay at 10. I think the MWC becoming a BCS conference is our best bet.
by daedalus17 on Dec 17, 2009 3:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Sunday
As I understand it, the only reason keeping BYU out of big leagues over the past 20 years is the Sunday play rule. BYU has top notch home facilities that can draw 65,000 or 20,000+ at both big sport home venues. They have national titles in multiple sports, great training facilities, and a stellar all-around program with deep-pocketed alumni just waiting to invest in a program on the national stage. They also are one of the few college teams outside the BCS schools that can draw thousands of fans anywhere they play in the country. This is important. Some teams “travel well” but BYU is unique because their Mormon fan base is already in most big cities. If the basketball team rolls into a big city once a year for a conference game, then they automatically add to the money pot. They are a money making machine just waiting to happen (but stuck under the hand of Craig). What’s keeping them from being invited and pulling serious revenue into any league? Sundays. Period.
by heyjoe! on Dec 17, 2009 6:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
BYU leave the MWC? Never.
BYU is content to be a big fish in a small pond. If BYU were to move to either the Big 12 or the PAC 10, the school would simply not enjoy the same success across the board.
BYU cannot recruit to compete against the current BCS conferences week in and week out. Doesn’t anyone remember the Florida State game. And BYU basketball? There’s a reason BYU hasn’t made an NCAA splash for decades….not enough athletic talent.
BYU does not need the money. BYU does not need the exposure.
BYU needs to maintain its standards and provide an environment where their students can compete and enjoy success.
by haterhater on Dec 22, 2009 3:11 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Arkansas relegated?
Umm, I don’t really understand you there. The Razorbacks have more overall tradition than the Cougars. More wins, better win %, more bowls, better bowl win %, more all americans. All of this while playing in better conferences. Besides, its not like they have been that bad recently.
I agree that the BYU ought to be able to play in a BCS conference, but I would like to see the MWC become better, not for BYU to move. Right now, the conference is not at the level of the other BCS conferences. Get rid of SD state, and add Boise St. and one of the other upper tier WAC teams. Though it would probably replace the Big East as the stepchild of the BCS, it would improve the conference as a whole and possibly add some better bowl tie-ins. It would also improve the strength of the conference, helping with possible NC bids.
by akafish77 on Dec 22, 2009 6:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
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