Media Day: BYU’s State of the Program Address is a Showcase For Exposure

By: Mitch Harper

The much-anticipated BYU Football National Media Day is in full swing today.  The festivities kicked off with a “State of the Program” address featuring Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall, Athletic Director Tom Holmoe, ESPN’s Dave Brown, and BYUtv’s Derek Marquis.

BYU’s National Media Day is the first set of College Football Media Days.  Which was definitely a smart move on BYU’s part as members of the media nationwide came to this event to get more familiar with the 2011 Cougars.

In the weeks leading up to the State of the Program address, there were many rumors as to what exactly was going to be announced or discussed.  Many rumors about potential scheduling news for 2012 and beyond.  No specifics were announced that we already didn’t know.  Except that ESPN’s Dave Brown announced that in 2012 BYU would have eight games on either ESPN or ESPN2.

It was also announced that the 2011 game against Idaho State is in fact the one BYUtv game this season, as we all expected.  That game will kickoff at 1 p.m.

Mendenhall and Holmoe did mention programs that they would like to see in future schedules.  Mendenhall mentioned that in regards to November scheduling he would love to see programs like Boston College, Army, and Navy dotted at the end of the season.  Holmoe said BYU will not play anyone in a 2-for-1 setting, but the crown jewels of College Football they would definitely be open to that.  The programs Holmoe mentioned that fit under the approval category were Alabama and Florida.  Alabama for the record still owes BYU a visit to Provo.  Alabama and BYU scheduled a home-and-home for the 1996 and 1998 seasons.  Bama backed out of its ’96 trip to Provo due to “SEC Commitments”.  BYU honored its trip to Tuscaloosa in 98 and lost by a touchdown.  BYU and Florida have never played each other, and haven’t had any public known scheduling agreements in the past.

More on future scheduling, Dave Brown said he doesn’t view scheduling quality opponents as a problem going forward.  Stating that teams want to play BYU and noted that it was a shame BYU hadn’t been on the ESPN networks very much since 2005.  Stated that BYU has a great following and brand.  Referenced the 2009 game against Oklahoma and the fact it had a 3.3 rating, said that game got the ball rolling on a ESPN-BYU contract as an Independent.

Brown also stated that BYU’s national tv coverage will rival anyone, and that includes Notre Dame, and many of the SEC teams who have ESPN and CBS to work with.  BYU is slated for 10 ESPN family of network games in 2011.  Oregon State is the only game left that has no announced television broadcast.  Could be on Fox Sports Net, ESPN, or FX.

Mendenhall took some questions about the 2011 team.  Stated that there is more to play for now as a football Independent than in the Mountain West Conference.  With quality opponents dotted throughout the entire course of the season.  Personally, I agree with this logic.  Look at 2008, BYU lost one game against a talented TCU team and really felt like there was nothing to play for.  Playing for a Mountain West title holds no clout to anyone on a national level.  BYU has won plenty of conference titles in their time, and no one acknowledges them.  It’s about exposure and playing in big-time settings against some of College Football’s best.

Other notes from the State of the Program was highlighting the new BYUtv studios.  Dave Brown mentioned that he felt like he was in Bristol with how impressive BYUtv’s studios were.  Then Holmoe emphasized how this was a researched decision and that they are looking to succeed with this.

A quote that stood out to me by Holmoe in regards to Independence, is that he mentioned how they are looking to nail down the first 10 years of Independent schedules.  Then after that it should naturally come easier.  Just further proof that this is a long-term move in the minds of BYU brass.  And rightfully so.  Independence is BYU’s destiny.

There will be more BYU Media Day coverage throughout the day.  Follow us on Twitter @Cougar_Center and @Mitch_Harper.

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