BYU football: Is independence sustainable? Tom Holmoe thinks so.
By Ron Jensen
This is the first of a three-part series on the sustainability of independence for BYU football. BYU AD Tom Holmoe certainly thinks the status quo can be maintained for the Cougars.
From the moment BYU football went independent, the conversation on how and when the Cougars would join a Power Five conference hasn’t stopped. It truly has become an obsession among fans. The assumption is that without the call-up, the program is doomed.
Some, recently have even declared that the independence route is so bleak, that it’s time to start considering a move back to a Group of Five Conference. Before such a rash decision is made, a question needs to be addressed.
If independence is so terrible, why is Notre Dame clinging to it so tightly?
The Fighting Irish have always been a football independent. They have received countless invitations to join conferences, and have repeatedly turned them down. What are they seeing, that Cougar Nation is not?
To understand this, we need to analyze the positives of not being in a Power Five Conference. They obviously exist, or Notre Dame would have joined one years ago.
Money
The Irish have played in one “New Year’s Six” Bowl and one BCS National Championship in the last six years. The payout for those two games alone was approximately $47 million. Different from members of conferences, they shared their revenue with no one.
NBC has a deal that reportedly guarantees $15 million to televise home games. This goes from 2016 to 2025.
Freedom To Schedule
In 2013, Notre Dame and the ACC penned a football scheduling agreement that provided the Irish with five games every season. They have freedom with the other seven games, unlike teams in conferences that only have three or four open slots.
Because of this, Notre Dame plays whoever it wants, whenever it wants.
Surprisingly, they consistently play difficult schedules. Despite three losing seasons in the past fifteen years, the program refuses to tone down the strength of its opponents.
Every few years, Notre Dame is able to get some big money neutral site games. It also usually has the luxury of obtaining seven home games each season. These are major financial benefits.
As illogical as it seems, what the Irish are doing is working for them. And very well, if they do say so themselves.
So does Notre Dame’s ability to make independence work mean that BYU can do the same? Well…yes. Does it mean that they will? Well…no.
I recognize that one of the go-to phrases of Cougar lovers and haters is that, “BYU is not Notre Dame!” And though that is certainly true, are the differences enough to keep BYU football from reaching the same heights as the Irish?
What are the differences? Let’s take a look at what makes Notre Dame different than BYU.
Fan Base
First off, Notre Dame has a huge fanbase. One that is bigger than Cougar Nation. How much bigger? That, we don’t know, but it is definitely bigger.
With this fan base comes boosters, a lot of wealthy boosters. In fact, because of these contributors, Notre Dame is continually in the top five most wealthy programs in the nation.
Next: The All-2000s BYU Football Team
The fans are loyal as well. In spite of some losing seasons, the stadium has sold out every home game for decades. Regardless of the product, they are there supporting their team every Saturday.
Recruiting
The Irish can commit some highly touted recruits. It is not uncommon for their recruiting classes to be ranked among the elite teams of college football.
Although this is the case, they do deal with some restrictions that others do not. In fact, before going to the BCS Championship Game, quite a few analysts that stated that Notre Dame would never compete for a title again.
A Seat At The Table
During the creation of both the College Football Playoff and BCS, Notre Dame was treated as equals with the members of the Power 5/BCS Conferences. As a result, the Irish receive $2.65 million from the College Football Playoff, compared to the $310,000 that the other independents get.
Thus, their opinion is always taken into account, and they are compensated as if they belong to a Power Conference.
Even with these distinctions, there are some definite similarities between these two programs as well.
After the Big 12 decided to not expand in 2016, Tom Holmoe addressed Cougar fans. He explained that although the result was disappointing, that BYU football learned a lot about itself from the ordeal.
Last week’s annual media turntable with Holmoe revealed some interesting insight. When asked if independence was sustainable, he answered in the affirmative. Why would he say such a thing if he did not believe it? He wouldn’t.
A few years back, Bronco Mendenhall contemplated the same question. He answered with a resounding “no.” So, what has changed since his reply?
During the expansion process of the Big 12, BYU’s athletic director figured out that although BYU football is not Notre Dame, it has the sufficient resources to do what Notre Dame does. Namely, compete and stay relevant as an independent, long term.
Another promising message from the turntable, is that the money allocation for football this past year was the highest it has ever been. There is definitely a financial commitment to this attempt at improvement.
With this support comes a new resolve. Stay independent and excel as the exemplar has demonstrated. Following this blueprint, BYU football is going to try to play Notre Dame’s game.