BYU football could be in long-term trouble


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PROVO — Less than two weeks before the season opener, in the big picture, the BYU football program could already be a major loser.

The argument, authored by a national college football expert, potentially paints a bleak long-range picture for the Cougars. In terms of access to the impending football playoff system, unlike fellow independent Notre Dame, BYU is and may continue to be on the outside looking in.

In a simple analysis, college football is breaking into Power Five conferences and Notre Dame versus all the other programs.

“I could be wrong about BYU. I don’t know yet where they fit into the new scheme,” said Chris Dufresne of the Los Angeles Times.

“There seems to be a clear divide between the Power 5 and the (other) group of five, and BYU is sort of straddling in the middle. Notre Dame is always going to be OK.”

Certainly, BYU is not and never will be Notre Dame. For that matter, not even Alabama or any other college program is Notre Dame.

Under any scenario and stipulation, the college football powerbrokers will always include the Irish as long as they qualify. For some reason, which really doesn’t make sense, BYU is not so fortunate.


There seems to be a clear divide between the Power 5 and the (other) group of five, and BYU is sort of straddling in the middle. Notre Dame is always going to be OK.

–Chris Dufresne


Some programs, most notably Utah and Texas Christian, were in the right spots at the right times and got gobbled up by two Power Five conferences, Pac-12 and Big 12, respectively. Others, such as several mediocre and average programs in power conferences, are in simply due to geography and affiliations.

“Utah just totally lucked out in getting in the Pac-12. You talk about hitting the lottery,” Dufrense said. “Utah for no other reason than it was standing there walks into this sweet (deal). It’s almost like Ringo joining the Beatles.”

To BYU fans, Connecticut, Boise State, Cincinnati and Central Florida feel your pain. Now that the era of conference hopping appears to have slowed considerably, none of the aforementioned programs are in a recognized Power Five conference.

And for BYU, it stinks. More than any program not in the Power Five, BYU deserves to be counted among the big boys.

While some of the excluded teams may have accomplished more recently, they can’t match BYU’s 40-year tradition. Neither can many of the perpetual doormats in the power conferences.

Do you like Duke, Kentucky and Kansas over BYU? Remember, in this sport the ball isn’t round.

Among many national observers, the perception of BYU is good. But to get in the Power Five, the Cougars also will need some luck, which probably means the Big 12 wanting to expand.

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“I think they’re very attractive,” Dufrense said. “I think if the Big 12 wants to expand that BYU would be an obvious choice logistically and otherwise.”

For now, BYU can make itself more attractive through scheduling. Athletic director Tom Holmoe said BYU continues to have success at arranging games with big-time opponents.

BYU’s relationship with ESPN is a great benefit in scheduling. Future opponents include Nebraska, UCLA, Michigan, West Virginia, USC, Arizona State, Stanford and Washington.

“I can’t get every game we want, but we can challenge ourselves in a way we really couldn’t when we were in a conference,” Holmoe said. “I don’t think anybody has not been receptive.”

Speaking before the media on Wednesday, Holmoe also said BYU is still waiting to hear from the NCAA on possible rules violations. BYU has conducted an internal investigation and it could result in nothing or possible sanctions and player suspensions.

Holmoe, who doesn’t anticipate any major sanctions, expects to hear from the NCAA before next week’s game against Connecticut and said at least one player may have to make a “repayment on something.”

“I don’t like to make predictions on what the NCAA is going to do,” Holmoe said. “We followed the protocol and procedures. We feel good about what we’ve done.”

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