BYU

by HandsomeSam on Aug 18, 2010 11:43 AM EDT

Rumours have it that BYU will be leaving the MWC. Reports, or internet buzz, at least, indicate that BYU will be independent in football, and will play in the WAC in all other sports. Despite the fact that BSU will be joining the MWC in 2011, this most recent defection, coming right after Utah's departure for the Pac-10, will most likely kill any chances the MWC had of becoming a BCS conference, and may very well sound the death knell for the conference, generally.

Most interesting about this story is the fact that BYU has its own, high definition TV network. The connection to the network apparently figured prominently into BYU's decision. Reading message boards and local news reports, it would appear BYU fans are confident that BYU has enough of a national fanbase to capitalize on being independent and having their own network.

Thoughts?

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Their own network?

What is this, some kind of secret Mormon channel?

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by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Aug 18, 2010 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

It’s apparently channel 374 on DirecTV, but I don’t see any kind of Sports Programming so I don’t know how that’s going to work. And how exactly are you going to sell yourself to recruits and other teams (for scheduling)? As bad as Notre Dame has been in recent years, they’re still Notre Dame. BYU never has and will probably never be that.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.

by akmiller on Aug 18, 2010 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions

ND

I think, as you rightfully say, that BYU isn’t Notre Dame and never will be, is honestly news to BYU.

Who knows, maybe there are far more “sidewalk alum” of BYU, random Mormons who didn’t attend but still follow the school, than we realize. I kind of doubt it, but I’ve been wrong in the past.

by HandsomeSam on Aug 19, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

That and I don't see them getting ND's sweetheart deal with the BCS concerning bowls.

If you don’t know ND is guaranteed a BCS bowl birth if they are in the top 8 in the nation. But I don’t see BYU getting a guarantee like that from the BCS, as they dont have the same fan base attraction as ND and other teams. This is where remaining in the MWC would be advantageous.

by Jalakin on Aug 19, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

I just don't see how they can be lucrative enough as an independent.

The other thing is that by running the table in the MWC recently has given access to a BCS bowl. So unless you get some prioritized deal like Notre Dame has, you are cutting yourself off from the more lucrative bowl money.

by Jalakin on Aug 18, 2010 1:01 PM EDT reply actions

Channel M

There is a channel somewhere out there with some BYU sports on it, but I can’t tell you which / where. It may be the on campus BYU channel.

Not all sports minded LDS members follow BYU; of those in Utah, there is a very very strong rivalry between BYU and U of U (it do get nasty (its relative – as nasty as LDS members get) with name calling, etc.), and I think that U of U may have the largest fan base.

Of the LDS members outside the Utah area, most follow their regional schools, and some may follow the Y as a second or third interest.

As for me, I won’t be buying dish / cable to watch the Cougars, I’ll stick with my rabbit ears. (Yes, I’m LDS)

Hotty Toddy!

Stuck in outpost Atlanta (no longer a southern city), wanting to come home.

by Barefoot in the Delta on Aug 20, 2010 8:28 AM EDT reply actions

So, in a lot of ways, BYU really is the Notre Dame of LDS folks.

Because you and I both know a Catholic or two who roots for Notre Dame despite being a fan of Ole Miss, State, etc.

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by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Aug 22, 2010 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

You sir

are correct.

There are a lot of similarities between Notre Dame being THE Catholic University, and BYU being THE LDS University in the sporting world, although there are other Catholic and LDS schools. Thus me thinks the reasoning behind the BYU following ND’s example. I hope that BYU understands that ND has been at this much longer and has a larger built in (religious) fan base.

But on the other hand, BYU most likely knows that the MW conference is the best they can hope for in terms of conference "prestige" and exposure. With stipulations (and limitations) placed upon them by the conference (do they revenue share like the SEC?), they likely figure to gain monetarily (which other team besides Boise St. will go bowling now that Utah has left for greener pastures?). Less sharing equals more for me? (This can’t be right, it doesn’t fit church doctrine.) BYU has their own network, thus they don’t have to share TV time with other conference members. More TV time equates more exposure. I’m just rambling now.

One other thought; I’m too old and lazy (nor care to look it up), but I think that BYU has a much larger student body population than U of Mississip(p)i has.

Stuck in outpost Atlanta (no longer a southern city), wanting to come home.

by Barefoot in the Delta on Aug 24, 2010 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions