4 reasons the Big 12 won't take BYU


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PROVO — In last week’s article, I highlighted reasons BYU would be a good fit for the Big 12 Conference. Here are four potential reasons the Big 12 would not take BYU.

Money

The money debate is a two-edged sword. In my article last week, I made the case for how BYU could make the Big 12 more money in the long run. However, inclusion of two more teams has the potential to cost the Big 12 money because it will have to split the overall revenue with two more teams. Big 12 officials will do their homework and might decide that the addition of two more teams and a championship game does not outweigh the costs of dividing revenue two more ways.

No Sunday play

BYU has firmly declared that its teams do not and will not play on Sunday, which the LDS Church regards as a sacred day. While this refusal does not affect football much (as Big 12 colleges generally do not play football on Sunday anyway), it definitely affects the school’s ability to compete in other sports, particularly the so-called Olympic sports. BYU’s steadfast refusal to play on its Sabbath is a hassle that the Big 12 may not want to deal with.

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LDS Church

Having lived in the South and Southwest for the last three and a half years of my life, you would be hard-pressed to convince me that the reason why BYU does not play on Sunday is not at least as important as the fact that they do not play on Sunday. If BYU was a Baptist-owned university, the Cougar athletic teams would already be in the Big 12. The fact that the school is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not sit well with a lot of people in Big 12 country where Mormonism is widely regarded as a cult. Unless BYU players, coaches and administration ditch their LDS beliefs, it might be difficult to convince the old guard of the Big 12 to invite BYU into the fold.

Texas

Texas, by all accounts, runs the Big 12. The Longhorns have received preferential treatment in the Big 12 that is almost unheard of in college football. A major reason the guys in burnt orange have been able to wield so much power is because of the ridiculous amount of revenue they generate. Texas is unlikely to give up some of that revenue for inclusion of two more teams; it especially is not going to do BYU any favors because of two words: Taysom Hill.

What are some other reasons the Big 12 might not take BYU if the conference does expand?


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About the Author: Dylan Cannon ------------------------------

Dylan Cannon is a regular KSL.com contributor and can be reached at DylanCannon86@gmail.com or via twitter @DylanCannon11. Listen to his weekly podcast, "Cougar Talk," on iTunes.

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