ESPN matchmaker sings BYU's praises

There were two big elephants in the room at BYU's official independence party in LaVell Edwards Stadium on Tuesday.

Without either one, the Cougars' bold move to explore going it alone in football would have been in vain.

Who were the two whose weight dented the floor? LaVell Edwards and ESPN.

The legendary Edwards looked statesmanlike, humble, courteous and yet proud for the moment when BYU made a major move to gain more exposure.

Dave Brown, one of the most talented game/team brokers in sports for the World Wide Leader, spoke with authority and enthusiasm and he was immaculately dressed, like a high-powered TV mogul.

Brown sold BYU football like it was ruby in its regal crown, and this was a reunion of two old buddies who'd fought against the French in the days of Henry VIII.

Brown hit it so hard, it was almost too much sugar. But BYU, after a week of criticism and second-guessing, needed sugar on Tuesday, and Brown pulled up and dumped a Kennecott truckload full.

"BYU has given us so many signature moments, this was an easy thing for us to do," said Brown. "Edwards and BYU football helped put us on the map."

More than a week ago, ESPN columnist Andy Katz said BYU was trying to become the Notre Dame of the West by going independent. Many national media folks poked fun at the notion. BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe countered in early August that in no way did BYU have the clout of the Fighting Irish.

But Brown, praising Edwards, begged to differ. In the realm that is college football, BYU's brand is both national and relevant.

And then Holmoe rolled out the news: A six-year contract to play Notre Dame.

Wrote Will Brinson of Fanhouse.com of Brown: "If you read any article about Dave Brown of ESPN, you will quickly learn that he is a) important and b) uninterested in anything other than making the WWL's programming grab a hold of your nodes and make sure that you only watch sports."

I asked Brown if BYU had any business being viewed like a national brand through independence in the shadow of the hallowed one, Notre Dame.

"It's easy. When I think of BYU football, I think of incredible offensive innovation, especially when Norm (Chow) was here, Ty (Detmer), Robbie (Bosco) and Marc Wilson and Sarkisian and Max Hall. To me, that is BYU football and you just think great skill players, great passing attack and exciting football, and I think that's the thing that creates a national brand.