BYU releases 2013 football schedule

BYU has announced the much-anticipated full schedule for the 2013 football season.

Year 3 of Independence looks like this (h/t to FBSchedules for the format):

OPPONENTS BY CONFERENCE

MWC: 3
ACC: 2
B1G Ten: 1
Big 12: 1
Pac 12: 1
Independent: 1
Big East: 1
C-USA: 1
FCS: 1

NEW COACHES: Utah State, Wisconsin, Nevada

A trip to play the Hawaii Warriors was originally scheduled for 12/7, but late-in-the-game changes to the Mountain West Conference forced this game off the schedule for 2013 (and possibly for 2014 as well). After Boise State and San Diego State decided to stay in the MWC and not join the Big East, it moved the conference to 12 football teams. The MWC decided to stage a conference championship game on 12/7, precluding any MWC team from scheduling games on that date.

In my opinion, the bye dates couldn't be placed any better. A break between Texas and Utah should be welcome, especially because Utah hosts Oregon State on 9/14 to open Pac-12 play while BYU prepares. Utah's game in Provo is its fourth game of the season, but its first road game of the year.

The second bye comes nicely between a home date with Boise State and the trip to Wisconsin.

During the schedule announcement on BYUtv, Tom Holmoe said he wouldn't be surprised if the Boise State game was bumped a day to Friday.

The 2013 home slate, as often discussed, represents the best home schedule in memory. Only 2004 (Notre Dame, USC) compares, but the quantity of Texas, Utah, Boise State, and Georgia Tech would have surprised us all if we were told in 2008, "Here's what the 2013 home schedule will be."

Sure, Idaho State and Middle Tennessee aren't splashy, but I personally don't mind avoiding 12 games against BCS conference teams.

Of note, closing the 2013 regular season is a trip to Reno, Nevada -- home to senior stud linebacker Kyle Van Noy. Nevada has trouble selling tickets, so hopefully the return of a hometown star helps out the Wolf Pack. As part of a series announced earlier on Monday, Nevada will give two return trips to Provo in 2014 and 2019.

What are your thoughts on the schedule? Let us know in the comments!