BYU Football: The Need To Be In A Conference

BYU left the Mountain West Conference to go independent in football and join the West Coast Conference in all other sports in the 2011-12 season. It was seen as an opportunity to gain more exposure through a contract with ESPN to broadcast games through the 2018 season. It was a way earn more revenue as well rather than share that with other teams in the Mountain West Conference. And finally it gave the Cougars more freedom to schedule who they want and control their own destiny in regards to what was the BCS.

Nov 29, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Mitchell Juergens (87) carries the ball against California Golden Bears safety Stefan McClure (21) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

It has all changed now with the NCAA implementing the College Football Playoff. People might also say that independence is hurting the BYU football team. I tend to agree with this. BYU has won more than eight games once in the past five years. Even though BYU is scheduling some Power 5 Conference schools they are hurting themselves by having to front load a schedule. It is great that the SEC and ACC have said that they will consider BYU as a team that fills the Power 5 requirement for their schools scheduling but when they won’t play BYU in November what good does it do for the Cougars?

Yesterday I wrote an article that said that BYU could play in a New Year’s Six Bowl if they are the highest rated Non-Power 5 Conference school. I was wrong on that information. The Cougars are competing against with at-large candidates from the other Power 5 Conferences. Teams like Ole’ Miss, Mississippi, and Arizona from last season is who the Cougars are competing against to get into a New Year’s Six Bowl. They don’t have that automatic access that say a Boise State or even Utah State has by being in the Mountain West Conference.

Dec 22, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Bronco Mendenhall head coach walks the field before the start of the third quarter against Memphis Tigers in the Miami Beach Bowl at Marlins Park. Memphis won 55-48 in a double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

It leads me to an observation. Many people are talking about BYU getting into the BIG 12. Some have even talked about a jump back into the Mountain West Conference. Either way, BYU has to find a way to join a conference for football. Although going back to the MWC would feel like a bad nightmare, it might not be such a bad idea. Boise State and Utah State are still there and Colorado State is competitive again. BYU is playing both Utah State and Boise State plus Fresno State and San Jose State so it’s not like they aren’t already playing MWC teams. Another thought on this is that if they rejoin the MWC, now they would have automatic access to the New Year’s Six Bowls. They wouldn’t have to go undefeated or 11-1 to get into a big-time bowl game. Just look at Boise State in 2014. They went 10-2 and got to play in the Fiesta Bowl where they defeated Arizona. Yes, BYU would lose money by returning but they would still be a cash cow for the conference and make things interesting in terms of rivalries with USU and Boise.

However, I don’t think that the MWC is the right choice. BYU needs to somehow find its way into a Power-5 Conference. Whether that is the BIG 12 or some other conference it needs to find a home. The benefits, the prestige, the money, the exposure to recruiting that all come along with that title say enough about the importance of getting into those conferences.

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With the scenario that happened to TCU and Baylor in 2014, I believe that the BIG 12 will expand. I believe they have to. People say that Ohio State had a tougher Strength of Schedule than these two teams and that is why they got picked to play in the inaugural College Football Playoff. That might be part of it but I believe that a big part of it was due to the fact that they didn’t have a conference championship game and therefore didn’t have a true champion out of their conference. Ohio State, Alabama, Florida State, and Oregon all won their conference championship game. Do the math.

Jul 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Big 12 trophy reflecting the new logo is displayed during the Big 12 Media Day at the Omni Dallas. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

With that expansion, BYU will most likely be in the mix for a spot but will they get in? It is a big question on everyone’s mind. Some people have UCF and Memphis getting in due to logistics. Others have said that BYU and Boise State would enhance that conference even more.

One thing is for sure. BYU can’t stay independent much longer or else the college football world will pass them by.

Nov 9, 2013; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) is tackled with the football during the second quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

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