AfiPoke
Well-known member
this BYU thing is a bit confusing.
Dominant rumors I have seen so far:
1) BYU cajoled Benson to impose the 5 million rule.
2) ESPN worked with WAC/BYU on TV deal.
3) BYU pulled the ultimate 'fake' to increase it's own share of revenue.
4) BYU sent a message to the Big XII.
5) MWC and BYU engineered the whole thing to kill off the WAC and generate pub.
6) Houston may be getting a telegram in the near future.
7) More tectonic shifts are coming in the next two weeks (according to GP of TCU, considering the source, this should probably be moved into the fact column).
8) The move was forced by the leadership of the LDS church as a new form of 'sports missionary work'.
A few facts (or, at the very least, publicly acknowledged 'facts'):
1) BYU president voted in favor of including FSU and UNR.
2) CBS/Comcast have discussed contract issues with the MWC.
3) BYU did hold talks with the WAC.
What does it all mean? You got me! However, whatever the motivations may have been, it seems clear that BYU has done serious harm to itself. Either they were backstabbing SOBs or, they allowed themselves to be used as pawns. Both of which are unflattering for your normal institutions, much less a religious paragon like that in Provo.
Kudos to Hair and the Presidents for having a contingency plan in the works but, I think our conference has taken a hit on the viability of the league issue. Judging by the current media reports, it seems this drama has persuaded many of the talking heads that we are weaker as a conference now.
I guess I underestimated how significant a blow Utah's leaving was to the boys in blue. Insecurity is always a bad thing and when it affects decision making, things often fall apart.
In general, I am amazed at the lack of solidarity in the conference that 2010 has shown us. Call me provincial but I always felt it was an 'us' against 'them' argument with the BCS (at least until we were included).
Predictions for the upcoming year:
1) If BYU exits, I am convinced that Orrin Hatch will drop his objections to the BCS.
2) If rumors about ESPN being involved in negotiations with the WAC/BYU are true, some form of an investigation will occur. Likely by the conference or the NCAA and they will have an anti-trust flavor to them.
3) The Big XII is not going to 'bite' on BYU's gamble.
4) The MWC will have to continue getting it done on the field to maintain the respect we have earned.
Dominant rumors I have seen so far:
1) BYU cajoled Benson to impose the 5 million rule.
2) ESPN worked with WAC/BYU on TV deal.
3) BYU pulled the ultimate 'fake' to increase it's own share of revenue.
4) BYU sent a message to the Big XII.
5) MWC and BYU engineered the whole thing to kill off the WAC and generate pub.
6) Houston may be getting a telegram in the near future.
7) More tectonic shifts are coming in the next two weeks (according to GP of TCU, considering the source, this should probably be moved into the fact column).
8) The move was forced by the leadership of the LDS church as a new form of 'sports missionary work'.
A few facts (or, at the very least, publicly acknowledged 'facts'):
1) BYU president voted in favor of including FSU and UNR.
2) CBS/Comcast have discussed contract issues with the MWC.
3) BYU did hold talks with the WAC.
What does it all mean? You got me! However, whatever the motivations may have been, it seems clear that BYU has done serious harm to itself. Either they were backstabbing SOBs or, they allowed themselves to be used as pawns. Both of which are unflattering for your normal institutions, much less a religious paragon like that in Provo.
Kudos to Hair and the Presidents for having a contingency plan in the works but, I think our conference has taken a hit on the viability of the league issue. Judging by the current media reports, it seems this drama has persuaded many of the talking heads that we are weaker as a conference now.
I guess I underestimated how significant a blow Utah's leaving was to the boys in blue. Insecurity is always a bad thing and when it affects decision making, things often fall apart.
In general, I am amazed at the lack of solidarity in the conference that 2010 has shown us. Call me provincial but I always felt it was an 'us' against 'them' argument with the BCS (at least until we were included).
Predictions for the upcoming year:
1) If BYU exits, I am convinced that Orrin Hatch will drop his objections to the BCS.
2) If rumors about ESPN being involved in negotiations with the WAC/BYU are true, some form of an investigation will occur. Likely by the conference or the NCAA and they will have an anti-trust flavor to them.
3) The Big XII is not going to 'bite' on BYU's gamble.
4) The MWC will have to continue getting it done on the field to maintain the respect we have earned.
