Time for BYU to reveal its game plan to fans

SALT LAKE CITY — BYU fans undoubtedly felt their pulses rise — or maybe their stomachs lurch — this week when the Chronicle of Higher Education reported the Cougars are again being considered by the Big 12.

The article quoted sources saying conference expansion is "very possible" and Louisville is the likeliest choice, followed by BYU. With just 10 teams in the conference, it makes sense to move to an even dozen.

BYU has been the subject of similar stories for nearly two years. What's different now? Not much, except this: There's been enough considering. It's time for BYU to make its intentions clear. How about some committing?

Forget the "We'll do what's best for BYU" rhetoric. Why not just say they're in or out? Then the fans can relax. If BYU wants to remain independent forever, just say so. If it intends to get in an automatic qualifier football conference, say that. That way Cougar fans can sit back and cheer for the outcome, instead of wondering whether they should be cheering at all.

Right now BYU fans don't know what to think. This has been one bumpy ride. They like their BYUtv flexibility. They're happy with the ESPN deal and at least OK with the West Coast Conference basketball situation. But they're unhappy with their November football schedule. Mostly they're angst-ridden about whether BYU will be left out when the division between serious and slight football programs occurs.

So why doesn't the university just put its plan out there?

Unless, heaven forbid, it doesn't know its full intentions.

There are some harsh things that could be said about Boise State, mainly that it's opportunistic or even mercenary. This is the school that joined the Mountain West for approximately 15 minutes before jumping to the Big East. Prior to that were stops in the Big Sky, Big West and WAC. Texas Christian did the same by switching from the WAC, to Conference USA, to the MWC, to the Big East, to the Big 12 in a dozen years. But in both cases there was no dancing around the issue. Each had designs on moving up, conference loyalties notwithstanding.

BYU needs some attitude of its own. Now that it's independent, it has nobody's feelings to spare. So just say it: The Cougars have their eyes on the BCS prize. Or that they fully intend to become the new Notre Dame. Or that second-tier football is good enough, as long as BYU has control of its message and mission.