Comments about ‘Blue roundup: BYU to Big East talk heats up’

The Big East would be horrible for BYU and still won't guarantee that the conference will maintain AQ status. There is also no sign that the Big12 won't eventually want to get back to 12. BYU will stay independent and WCC for the next while and will patiently wait while the college landscape settles over the next few years.

I'm not sure the big12 would have been an upgrade over independence and really didn't want BYU to join that conference so there is no way I want them to join the Big East. Independence is the way to go for now, let's give it a chance.

It makes total sense for BYU to join the BE for football only. This will solve future scheduling issues they face as an independent. But, it still leaves enough OOC games that BYU can schedule a Texas, OK, Notre Dame, etc.
In addition, it gives BYU something to play for after they lose a game during the season - a conference CHAMPIONSHIP. This all assumes that the BE would still allow BYU some TV privileges with BYU-TV. Don't worry about the stability of the BE. If it were to fold, then BYU could just go back to an independent status. All of their other sports are already in the WCC. This won't change. This seems like a no brainer to me. Also, with BSU and BYU in the BE, it's an automatic that they will retain their AQ status. The good ol' boys of the BCS will ensure that.

I'd say no to the conference, but see if you can't work out a scheduling partnership. You already have Boise booked for about 50 straight years, get AFA set up the same way and rotate a home and away with some Big East schools out east to fill some October/November slots.

Then the Big East doesn't have to worry about BYU leaving if a better invite comes (when the Big 12 renegotiates TV contracts, they will likely go to 12, 14 or 16 teams, but it is years away), but they get good games, more $ and better computer rankings for their BCS conference competitors.

Chris B,

But I thought you said that nobody wants BYU?

The Big East is a BCS conference last time I checked Chris B...

How is the mighty Ute football team doing in the Pac 10.2?

WVU can't even join the Big XII until like 2014, right? BYU could join immediately, start playing in 2012 and by the time WVU would be able to join, the Big XII could be ready to be a 12 or even 16 team conference. The Big XII knows BYU is not restricted by any conference and doesn't need to jump the gun on an invitation to get through possible hold ups and red tape. That's why I don't think BYU should be considered "out of the running".

Win the big ones and good things will start happening. Case in point: TCU, Boise State, Utah.

Keep messing around and no one will want us...

We could stay indie - but to what end???

What if ND, Army and Navy all join up with someone? I thought we went independent to show availability and get away from the Mtn. So what if all the BYU fans in the country can watch us on any given Friday/Saturday...

I for one am interested in just the opposite - I'd prefer to see the Cougars play Big East Basketball and stay independent in football - that is if the Big 12 doesn't come calling.

No, no, no. Don't go to the Big East. It's a terrible conference, and while I'm out East and would love to see some games out this way, it's a terrible move. Nothing to gain from it - the Big East will not retain its AQ status. Independence is better than the Big East.

Interesting comments from ESPN:

"The teams Pitino is referring to are potential Big East invitees Boise State, Air Force, Navy, BYU, Central Florida, Houston and SMU. Marinatto has told Pitino that he has visited with or spoken to officials from each of the schools about joining the conference, Pitino said."

"Pitino said that Marinatto told him he was confident that invitations would be accepted by the schools, although BYU has yet to indicate where its future lies. According to Pitino, Marinatto said the conference has had discussions with BYU and that Boise State would like a Western partner if it were to join.

I'd say that puts the lie to the "Nobody wants BYU" crowd. Still up to the powers that be in Provo and Salt Lake to decide if they want to do this, but the interest is definitely there from the Big East.

Let's see...playing games in Dallas, Houston, Orlando, and the greater D.C. and NYC areas...that might meet a definition of exposure.

For the sake of humanity, BYU, BSU, and AFA should let Big East football die.

Bluecat82:

Stop trying to clutter the minds of ute trolls with facts.

eastcoastcoug: I don't remember showing availability being a reason we went independent. We went independent to get greater exposure, which we accomplished with our TV contract with ESPN and with BYUtv. Availability does make going to a BCS conf. easier but I don't ever remember it being a reason we left the MWC.
I think BYU needs to be patient and wait for things to calm down, the big East is anything but stable and jumping to them now could end up being problematic. The scheduling of quality teams as an independent will improve and our SOS will improve with time. Getting into a BCS conf. needs to be carefully considered not just hurried into. Belonging to a BCS conf. isn't the end all like so many fans/posters want to make it into. More than half the teams in BCS conferences don't even play in bowl games. Winning is the key not conf. affiliation. Conference affiliation would make things easier but not necessarily better. Look at Utah, they might not even go bowling. Like I said, winning is the key.

Not wanted by the PAC-12.

Not wanted by the Big 12.

Now...

"The Cougars would meet Boises definition of a western partner."

Boise's "definition"? And BYU fans were ripping Utah for being the "third" choice over Texas and Oklahoma?

Agree with Duck Hunter why would we want the Big East, Independance is a better option than joining the Litte East and West Conference.

I really don't want to see my team join a FOOTBALL ONLY conference. . . I love the rivalries that spill over between sporting events. What would the UTAH / BYU rivalry have been like if it was only a one sport rivalry?? There has to be something BETTER.

It's comical to see BYU fans turn their noses up at the Big East. Memo to Cougars everywhere - you're not too good for a BCS conference.

Perhaps this same sense of inflated self importance is why BYU's negotiations with the Big12 failed.

The Big East will surely retain its BCS bid. It only needs to be the nation's 6th strongest conferece to get it. Having added any noteworthy school from non-AQ conferences, no other conference can challenge for that 6th spot.

Wouldn't it be far better to play in the weakest BCS conference (and therefore have the easiest road to a BCS bowl) than remain as an independent, locked into the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, even in your best season?

Just so everyone understands, there is nothing in the BCS by-laws that discusses a BCS team losing their AQ status. Nothing. With the additions of the Western teams that are being discussed, including BYU, the newly formed Big East would be a better football conference than the ACC. The Big East will have at least two of the service academies. Jerry Jones will get his wish and the Cotton Bowl will be added as a BCS game. The Big East will not lose its AQ, if it can put this league together, with or without BYU.
There are concerns about BYU joining the Big East, but lets focus on real concerns. I for one, would love to have BYU still playing for something after we lose a game. If we win out the rest of the year what are we playing for? The Armed Forces Bowl. If we lose out, what are we getting? The Armed Forces Bowl. Lets say we lose a game or two in the new Big-East, what are we playing for? A BCS birth. Big difference.

Why would BYU join a fractioned conference that's a step above the old MWC? I don't see the Big East retaining its AQ status.

Portland Trail Blazers:

"Chris B,...But I thought you said that nobody wants BYU? The Big East is a BCS conference last time I checked..."

And last time I checked the Y had not been invited to the Big East. You're counting your chickens before they've hatched again. Typical coug. At present, you are a mid-major. At present, EVERY AQ conference in the country has had the opportunity to add the cougars....but DIDN'T! At present, Chris B is more correct than you.

FUN FACT: In 2003, the Big East was an 8-team league consisting of Miami, Va. Tech, Boston College, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia, Temple, and Rutgers. Now, with 5 defectors to the ACC, one to the Big 12, and the other to the MAC, the only team expected to remain is Rutgers. The most likely additions to the BE were mid-majors in '03, with UConn [Independent] and USF [CUSA] only playing their 4th year of D-1 football.

The remaining: Navy [Independent], Louisville, Cincinnati, and Houston [CUSA], Air Force [MWC], SMU and Boise St. [WAC], and UCF [MAC].

And cougar fans are ANXIOUS to join THIS league?

Well, it is mid-majorey enough...