In response to Mick Akers http://bit.ly/jpiGZI
I'll give you three quick reasons why BYU had to go independent and why it will help them in the long run:1) Recruiting: Both the University of Utah and Brigham Young University focus their recruiting efforts in Utah. With Utah abandoning the MWC to enter the spotlight of the Pac-12 conference, BYU becoming independent and signing a contract with ESPN was key to maintaining its in-state recruiting dominance. If they would have stayed with UNLV and the depleted MWC, Utah would land the big in-state recruits and BYU would be left with the crumbs.
2) Exposure/Money: BYU has loathed working with the Mountain West Sports Network aka “The Mountain” ever since it’s conception in 2006. The eight year deal with ESPN will increase exposure, the BYU fan base, and revenue. Every game will now be televised on either ESPN or BYUtv (both standard channels with DirectTV, Dish Network, and Cable). If that’s not what every collegiate program wants, I don’t know what is.
3) Future: As mediocre as you think BYU is, that’s not what the numbers say. In the last five years BYU has posted a 50-15 record, not too shabby. BYU’s independence allows them to choose their opponents and if they’re successful only good things will come of it. So far BYU has deals with Notre Dame, Texas, Georgia Tech, and Boise State. Teams like Nebraska, USC, UCLA, and Ohio State are lining up to play BYU (http://t.co/xbjpvNb). I’m not saying BYU will go undefeated this year, but every journey has its beginning.
It will be interesting to see how this season turns out.
Go Cougs!
