Comments about ‘Calculations easy on where BYU football should be’

Of course BYU belongs in a conference. But we need to focus on one with bigger media markets eg. Big 12 and who will support our ESPN deal (should be good for them anyway). Independence was for 2 reasons: 1) get us out of the MWC and 2) show we are available to go into another conference. It's not an end goal.

Trust me, from this side of the country, no one hears anything about BYU. Being on BYUtv is good for the LDS population, but doesn't put us on anyone's radar.

But the biggest issue is we need to play with a lot more intensity and win the big games. Utah, Boise St, TCU all got to where they are by winning the big ones. We have yet to play at that level. For all our preaching about "no short cuts in life", we seem to want to be in the big leagues without EARNING IT!!

So how is it that BYU can have multi-year deals with Notre Dame and Boise State, but not with Utah? The rivalry is doomed.

Who at Navy ever said Independence was overrated? They didn't become independent for so long for no reason. Just like BYU has a purpose to become independent Navy has its reasons for doing what it does. I'm sure ND doesn't think being on national TV every week so all of its members can watch every week is overrated. BYU fans now love to watch every week, so is that overrated? BYU is doing it for exposure, and only members of the church really know exactly what that means, and everyone else thinks they are doing it for the money. Playing the biggest boys means getting more people to watch. We BYU fans know this will result in more losses, at first, but when they play tough teams every week, every year, it can become quite the program, especially if they can win most of their games. Why do these writers still talk of getting into the Big 12? Let it go and just wait. BYU knows exactly what it's doing by being independent. Some people overanalyze stuff way too much. Independence is great...just enjoy it!

Wow, I wonder what your wife and your girls thought when you tipped that $70? Maybe I will bring dinner to you guys and hoping for that tip.

Silly question asking if BYU should join this mega conferance mwc/cusa, you must be laughing. The question here should be - BYU stay Independant and put all sports to that mega conferance might work. WCC won't mind I think. Anyway, stand by on this Breaking News sometime 100 years from now (IF).

Oh, forgot one more thing. Riley Nelson won't wear blind fold agasint Idaho after what happened to him with his lungs and ribs. Nice try on that one.

Hey, Brad. You state, "... regarding the Cougars' 2012 schedule. As expected, it is front-loaded: Washington State, Utah, Boise State, Oregon State." I hope you're not including Washington State & Oregon State in the "nice match-ups" category. Oregon State finished 3-9 last season, including a win over Wash. State. And Washington State was 4-8. Now, I love my Cougs as much as the next fan, but I try to curb my support with a spoon-full of realism. If BYU has picked up their game & "strength of schedule", as is written about and talked about by many, Oregon State and Washinton State (both home games for the Cougs) should fall under "chill wind teams" you mention and the "bottom-tier opponents" on their "diverse schedule." In other words, I can't wait for the Cougs to join a real conference. But coaches and administrators seem to put "exposure" over strength of schedule & conference membership. No worries, though, Cougs fans. I'll be attending the Oregon State game for my annual road-trip game.

@ eastcoastcoug: Agree with the Big12. I hope BYU is able to work it out and get there. And yes, they need to win more. They aren't going to suddenly become world-beaters, but they will be in the conference championship conversation on a regular basis.

But let's be honest. At least in my part of "this side of the country" (other extreme end of the NY metro) no one hears anything about college football at all. It's all about pro sports. Am I right? Following even the local teams (Rutgers for me) is seen as kind of a quirky character trait. BYU gets just as much or more attention than any college team with their level of success. The basketball team obviously brought notoriety last year with Jimmer and Davies. When there was talk of teams joining the Big East, people here who cared seemed to take more notice of Boise State and BYU than any of the other candidates, even Navy.

Joining the Big 12 is probably the right move, but it is not going to get BYU on anyone's radar that they wouldn't already be on, except casual fans of Big 12 teams.

Conference membership should be the end goal the way college football is trending right now but it would have to be in a solid, BCS level conference. It is good to be married; just not to the guy who refuses to get a job or beats his wife and not to the wife who cheats or spends the family into bankruptcy. It is not alway best to be in a relationship just for the sake of being in a relationship.

RE: eastcoastcoug- "But the biggest issue is we need to play with a lot more intensity and win the big games. Utah, Boise St, TCU all got to where they are by winning the big ones. We have yet to play at that level. For all our preaching about "no short cuts in life", we seem to want to be in the big leagues without EARNING IT!!"

Well said! I couldn't agree with you more. Your sentiment is what I was trying to get across with my post.

I am shocked. I thought BYU fans were excited about being independent and felt independence was the path that best suited them.

Imagine my surprise when I read that independence is now not where BYU wants to be. Oh well, I hope and pray that someday BYU fans will feel content. I also really hope that someday BYU fans will finally taste the sweet nectar of being invited to a BCS game.

Let me tell you, there is no sweeter taste for a fan than to watch your team trail clouds of glory from a BCS victory.

With the national exposure and reputation of our football team, we should be in a BCS power conference like the SEC, Big 10, PAC 12 or Big 12.

RE: Otis Spurlock- "Let me tell you, there is no sweeter taste for a fan than to watch your team trail clouds of glory from a BCS victory."

Blah, blah, blah. I guess I can retort that there's no sweeter taste for a fan than to watch your team beat Michigan and win a national championship. Believe me, I was at the game. So, since you're relying on yesteryear, I guess I can do the same.

And I could continue with the "taste" of a beat down by a woeful Colorado team. But, I don't think I'll go there.

Thank you for your support of Cougars football.

So, the on-line title of the article is actually "Calculations Easy on Where BYU Basketball Should be" and there's a picture of Carlino. But, the article is all about the 2012 Football Schedule. LOL! Another genious move, DN Sports Editorial staff. I wish I could make this stuff up. The interns must be helping this week, huh? :-)

Imagine the surprise of hundreds of readers who thought they were going to open this article to find some statistical calculations of BYU basketball's opportunities in the NCAA tournament - only to click and then discovery that it was yet another rant on BYU and conference realignment.

Nice picture of Carlino though - I totally see how it relates to BYU football.

Southern Mississippi and East Carolina are just a tad above Idaho and New Mexico State in the food chain? What planet are you on? BYU needs upgrading in their coaching ranks....seriously. And someone needs to build a motivational sideline demeanor fire under Coach Mendenhall. I am weary of seeing his stoic unemotional face...not encouraging players and showing upbeat actions. Locking BYU football into a 12 or more team conference would not be in their best interests if they don't have the control they need over television coverage. Right now I am not happy about BYUtv coverage of basketball either, including some bizarre game times on BYUtv and ESPN. Can't we get HD broadcasts (BYUtv) on the major satellite providers? Is it Comcast/whoever owns them the only one doing HD? I thought we already went through the no coverage, and no HD coverage of the MWC when we dumped our Dish satellite. This TV thing is wearing me out.

Anon Infinity: why don't you disconnect that dish, and get BYUtv in HD for free by using a digital antenna. Your post reaks of ignorance and I severely doubt your fandom. Bronco is quite often encouraging his defenders on the sideline as a good DC would do, but during offensive drives he maintains his demeanor, ala Lavell Edwards. Bronco is, imho, in the top 10% of head coaches in all of college football. K-Whit isn't too far behind, but is behind him none the less.

Otis,

Yes, a BCS victory is indeed sweet, sweet nectar of the Gods. Maybe someday, with a lot of hard work, BYU might be able to partake of the sweetness.

There is only one thing in life sweeter than BCS nectar, and that is the sweet taste of an opponents tears after crushing them 54-10.

Boise will soon know that taste too. Go Boise Blue!!

There is little doubt BYU should seek to be in a conference, an upper tier BCS league like the Big 12 should continue to be the goal Holmoe and Samuelson pursue. Even though Notre Dame could end up on the November slate after 2013 I'm not convinced they will get any more stellar opponents than the WAC cupcakes they presently have. BYU can't get the most favored status that Notre Dame enjoys where the Irish can get the needed waivers from leagues like the Pac-12 to play November OOC games. Anyone who thinks BYU can imitate Notre Dame is delusional and needs a reality check. And the WCC love fest? I'm not so sure this is to placate those in LDS church leadership who still think BYU should always remain a primary undergraduate teaching institution which it can't stay as if they want to keep attracting the best and the brightest of the LDS faith year in and year out. BYU should go to the Big 12 athletically and academically increase the number of doctoral level programs to at least 50 since the trend is for advanced degrees. End this silly debate about BYU taking away from the mission of state institutions, most notably Utah State. The school in Logan has created its own issues thanks to their own mismanagement, not BYU becoming as big as it is! GO COUGARS!!

If BYU's mission is similar to it's owner's then their sports teams should not play any team so many times that animosity develops (e.g., Utah, USU, Wyoming, Hawaii, etc.).

Also, they should bring to campus several new teams every year.

Lastly, for their fan base, BYU should play in each part of the country (i.e., northeast, southeast, midwest, Texas, northwest, and So Cal) every year.

No conference can meet those criteria. Just depends on whether BYU feels it meets its mission better trying to be a champion or trying to make friends.

re: Esquire

Notre Dame will play BYU because in their 6 game agreement, 4 games will be in South Bend, and only 2 will be in Provo.