The Las Vegas Raiders will have a brand new stadium in time for the 2020 NFL season. What does that mean for BYU football? (Potentially) good things.
With the Raiders moving to Las Vegas, a new stadium is being built for the team. BYU football has a massive following in southern Utah and Nevada, so games in that new stadium seem very, very likely.
That being said, Tom Holmoe has probably already made and taken phone calls regarding potential matchups. After all, when BYU plays in the Las Vegas Bowl (six times) there has always been at least 40,000 in attendance. In the other 19 games, only two got 40,000+ in the stands.
With teams wanting to make a splash and improve their strength of schedule in hopes of making the College Football Playoffs, one-off season kickoff games are becoming more and more important.
So, if BYU football had the opportunity to play in the new Vegas NFL stadium in 2020 (and beyond), who should the Cougars play?
These five teams would truly be great opponents, both for marketers and fans.
Notre Dame
The Irish still owe BYU football a game. After signing a two-for-one deal, the Cougars went to South Bend in 2012 and 2013. Now it’s Notre Dame’s turn.
If the Irish really want to avoid Provo… or the, as Holmoe described it, “big payday,” then what better option than a clash in Vegas?
Surely Notre Dame wouldn’t mind expanding its recruiting out west, and it’s a game that would be on national television.
Plus, marketing Catholics v Mormons in Sin City seems too easy. Can’t you already see the t-shirts?
BYU is 2-4 against Notre Dame all-time. The Cougars haven’t beat the Irish since 2004, but their last two losses have been by just a combined 16 points.