BYU Independent

[GP1]

This story has interested me since I saw it reported. I'm not sure what BYU is doing. Three outcomes seem possible.

First, BYU is committing suicide as it relates to their football program. Being independent has been killing Notre Dame for over a decade now and has turned them into a solid 6-6 team against the weakest schedules they have ever played. It's much more for ND, but not being in a conference is not helping at all. I'm not sure if BYU takes this direction long term if it will come to any good for them. In fact, I predict disaster if this direction is taken for any more than four years.

Second, they see the future and know there is another division of college football about to happen and they don't think they can compete at the BCS level. In my brilliant scenario I posted about a new division in college football, I had BYU as one of the top 40 teams of the past 40 years (I think). If not, they should at least be considered in the mix. BYU could be waiting out the conference shake ups and make a move to a division just below the BCS level. BYU has a long history of good football. I don't see this as a possibility, but everything is up in the air. Maybe BYU doesn't agree with my assessment of their ability to compete at the BCS level.

Third, BYU wants to get into a BCS conference, but isn't quite sure how to do it yet or which one to jump to. They do know the ship they are on is taking on water fast and they will need to get off sooner rather than later. This move buys them some time and keeps their national exposure up with an ESPN contract. BYU is dictating the terms of their move with this decision. I like the move for BYU as long as it is temporary. I don't think anyone knows what the outcome of the conference shake up is going to be over the next few year. BYU has the name and is keeping their name in front of everyone with the ESPN deal. It is also a very conservative school so they are not going to make changes without really putting some thought into it, but they know changes are coming. Whatever decision BYU makes they will have to live with it for the next 40 years...maybe they don't see a reason to jump into something they aren't certain they are ready for.

On the surface, this move by BYU may not seem like a big dea, but it is. Here is a name program in college football making an unusual move during a period when everyone is positioning themselves for the future. This is a bigger move than Colorado going to the PAC10. Just because their move is unusual, doesn't make it wrong. This unique direction may be what schools like Nebraska and Colorado wish they would have done five years from now. It says a lot about the future of college football and upcoming change. Hold on, a lot of changes will be coming this off season and over the next three years. College football is changing rapidly.

In no way should UofA do what BYU is doing.

[Ryno aka Menace]

I disagree that this is a bad move, I think it is pretty smart actually.

1. Notre Dame is struggling because of bad coaching and having a higher standard for admission that most schools which limits the athletes you can recruit. (Anyone can get into an SEC school)

2. BYU wants to get into a BCS conference....its a lot easier if you A. don't have to pay millions for leaving the conference. And B. The conference that takes BYU won't look like a bully or poacher in the eyes of the media.

3. They can make their own schedule, if they are smart the will schedule like Boise State to hard games and the rest mid-level to bottom feeders. It all about the number of wins. Don't believe me watch and see what happens if Boise beats VT and goes undefeated and Miami who has arguably the toughest schedule in college football goes 10-2 guess who going to the better bowl game.

4. By being independent you can schedule all to play teams all over the country to get more national exposure. BYU wants to get back to the days of Steve Young and Jim McMahon, and Ty Detmer.

Notre Dame only has to finish in the top 8 and the are in a BCS game. Look at their schedule if they win 9 games their in. BYU has to win 7 games to go bowling thats it. I guarantee that a 8 win BYU goes bowling before any 9 win MAC, WAC, Sun Belt, or Conference USA team.

Its what I don't like about college football, perception you have to look good not necessarily be good. Look at Cincinnati last year, they had no business playing Florida but ya know what the had the W's in the win column and receive millions of dollars and got national exposure and can get some better recruits because of it.

If Akron was independent I would like to see a schedule where we play teams like.....

Northwestern

Rutgers

Louisville

Western Michigan

Central Michigan

Miami of Ohio

Syracuse

Indiana

Illinois

Montana St (or some top 15 FCS team)

Army

Navy

Wake Forest

Maryland

Duke

Iowa State

Baylor

Minnesota

Anyone in Conference USA

Anyone in the Sun Belt

And 2 "money" games

If we could schedule like that and win 7-9 games we would go bowling to. 7 wins in the MAC and you could be sitting at home, unless you knock of a BCS team somewhere in those 7 wins.

[Dr Z]

If Akron was independent they would I would like to see a schedule where we play teams like.....

I like your "suggested" schedule better than the current Mac. Ever since Marshall and CFU left, I haven't liked the Mac (excluding Temple).

[zippy5]

I disagree that this is a bad move, I think it is pretty smart actually.

1. Notre Dame is struggling because of bad coaching and having a higher standard for admission that most schools which limits the athletes you can recruit. (Anyone can get into an SEC school)

2. BYU wants to get into a BCS conference....its a lot easier if you A. don't have to pay millions for leaving the conference. And B. The conference that takes BYU won't look like a bully or poacher in the eyes of the media.

3. They can make their own schedule, if they are smart the will schedule like Boise State to hard games and the rest mid-level to bottom feeders. It all about the number of wins. Don't believe me watch and see what happens if Boise beats VT and goes undefeated and Miami who has arguably the toughest schedule in college football goes 10-2 guess who going to the better bowl game.

4. By being independent you can schedule all to play teams all over the country to get more national exposure. BYU wants to get back to the days of Steve Young and Jim McMahon, and Ty Detmer.

Notre Dame only has to finish in the top 8 and the are in a BCS game. Look at their schedule if they win 9 games their in. BYU has to win 7 games to go bowling thats it. I guarantee that a 8 win BYU goes bowling before any 9 win MAC, WAC, Sun Belt, or Conference USA team.

Its what I don't like about college football, perception you have to look good not necessarily be good. Look at Cincinnati last year, they had no business playing Florida but ya know what the had the W's in the win column and receive millions of dollars and got national exposure and can get some better recruits because of it.

If Akron was independent they would I would like to see a schedule where we play teams like.....

Northwestern

Rutgers

Louisville

Western Michigan

Central Michigan

Miami of Ohio

Syracuse

Indiana

Illinois

Montana St (or some top 15 FCS team)

Army

Navy

Wake Forest

Maryland

Duke

Iowa State

Baylor

Minnesota

Anyone in Conference USA

Anyone in the Sun Belt

And 2 "money" games

If we could schedule like that and win 7-9 games we would go bowling to. 7 wins in the MAC and you could be sitting at home, unless you knock of a BCS team somewhere in those 7 wins.

Wow, if we could go bowling by winning 7 out of all those games...just count me in.