OT: BYU vs. Utah in Las Vegas Bowl

[RebelBuzz]

What a matchup. Seriously. I'd almost pay money to see that game.

With the usual bad blood between the schools, Bronco's last game, the punch during the bball game last week, the 5-6 hour drive for both fan bases, and that they haven't played each other in 2 years, the Vegas bowl couldn't have DREAMED of a better matchup.

Didn't they put stands in the North endzone a couple (10, maybe) years ago for a Wisconsin matchup? If it's possible, I'd certainly consider bringing them back for this game. Will be a sell out, for sure, and it would sell out an additional 10k seats too, if available.

 

[bcvegaspt]

Hopefully the city makes a lot of money from the fans.

 

[karaoke_jesus]

I'd actually like to go to this game

 

[rebel Homer]

Please, correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the Las Vegas Bowl supposed to be between a MW school and a Pac 12 school though? I see no MW school in this game.

 

[rebelbuck]

Las Vegas Bowl had a deal with BYU and another Bowl. Something about if LV Bowl takes BYU in this season that bowl has to take them (should they be eligible) the next season. Thompson essentially ruled out the MWC in this game a week ago during a press conference and then tried to act upset when CSU/RENO were placed against each other in a bowl.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Am I the only one wondering how Thompson still has his job as commissioner?

As for the game it is a solid match up between two good football teams. Even better is there is already an inherent rivalry involved here.

Utah has surpassed BYU since moving to the PAC12 and BYU became an independent.

 

[LasVegasReb]

Am I the only one wondering how Thompson still has his job as commissioner?

As for the game it is a solid match up between two good football teams. Even better is there is already an inherent rivalry involved here.

Utah has surpassed BYU since moving to the PAC12 and BYU became an independent.

I liked how Thompson navigated the struggles with Utah, TCU defections and potential mutiny attempt by BYU. Also, he kept the MWC together as Boise State and SDSU were Big East-AAC bound (although the break up of the conference drive this, he still made the conference stay together).

But I don't like him as I think he lacks the sophistication and innovation necessary for the MWC to gain ground and position itself as the 6th best conference closer to a P5 than G5. While he doesn't directly select the bowl teams, he is in front of the conference leading the charge and ultimately so of this is on him. Personally, I thank Thompson for what he's done and it's time for new blood, innovation and passionate professional who can propel this conference.

 

[LasVegasReb]

Am I the only one wondering how Thompson still has his job as commissioner?

As for the game it is a solid match up between two good football teams. Even better is there is already an inherent rivalry involved here.

Utah has surpassed BYU since moving to the PAC12 and BYU became an independent.

Additional $10M-$15 per year would do that for you.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Additional $10M-$15 per year would do that for you.

Agreed. That money is being generated through a conference affiliation. Add in the prestige of playing in a POWER 5 conference its easy to see why Utah has been winning recruiting battles. BYU would never have gotten that type of money by sticking with the MWC.

That said they also might have thought their brand was a little bigger than it truly is. I don't think anything points to this more than Bronco leaving. Grant the money will be better at UVA but Bronco serms to think taking over a struggling UVA program, is a more desirable job than sticking with BYU where he can win 9-10 games every year. I think that poimts to him realizing he can only go so far with BYU in its current state.

My opinion but their move to Independent was a mistake long term. They suffer 1 loss their season is essentially over. They become irrelevant on a national stage. They have no conference championship game, or regular seadon title . There was talk of a move to the BIG12 for them, which I think would have been ideal.

I guess one of the major sticking points was playing on Sundays. I find it an odd rule since there are NFL guys that are Mormon and play on Sunday. Not making fun of it just don't get the logic behind it.

Until BYU changes some rules or joins a POWER 5 conference UTAH will continue to be the more competitive program.

BYU could very well win this game, but long term UTAH is in a much better spot going forward.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

I liked how Thompson navigated the struggles with Utah, TCU defections and potential mutiny attempt by BYU. Also, he kept the MWC together as Boise State and SDSU were Big East-AAC bound (although the break up of the conference drive this, he still made the conference stay together).

But I don't like him as I think he lacks the sophistication and innovation necessary for the MWC to gain ground and position itself as the 6th best conference closer to a P5 than G5. While he doesn't directly select the bowl teams, he is in front of the conference leading the charge and ultimately so of this is on him. Personally, I thank Thompson for what he's done and it's time for new blood, innovation and passionate professional who can propel this conference.

You could be right. He did somehow hold onto Boise State and SDSU when it looked like they were gone. But I never thought he parlayed Utah's 2 undefeated runs or TCU's success into something bigger. Maybe he tried I just don't remember him out there selling the conference.

I do think its time for a change. The perception of the MWC has been in a steady decline for a few years.

 

[LasVegasReb]

Agreed. That money is being generated through a conference affiliation. Add in the prestige of playing in a POWER 5 conference its easy to see why Utah has been winning recruiting battles. BYU would never have gotten that type of money by sticking with the MWC.

That said they also might have thought their brand was a little bigger than it truly is. I don't think anything points to this more than Bronco leaving. Grant the money will be better at UVA but Bronco serms to think taking over a struggling UVA program, is a more desirable job than sticking with BYU where he can win 9-10 games every year. I think that poimts to him realizing he can only go so far with BYU in its current state.

My opinion but their move to Independent was a mistake long term. They suffer 1 loss their season is essentially over. They become irrelevant on a national stage. They have no conference championship game, or regular seadon title . There was talk of a move to the BIG12 for them, which I think would have been ideal.

I guess one of the major sticking points was playing on Sundays. I find it an odd rule since there are NFL guys that are Mormon and play on Sunday. Not making fun of it just don't get the logic behind it.

Until BYU changes some rules or joins a POWER 5 conference UTAH will continue to be the more competitive program.

BYU could very well win this game, but long term UTAH is in a much better spot going forward.

As much as I dislike the CTR mentality of BYU, they have always had good sports programs and a very strong brand. They travel well and have fans by proxy in every single city in the US.

They choose independence for two reasons; #1-They burned their relationship with MWC and member universities by attempting a mutiny that would have destroyed (or close to) the MWC, #2-They thought that their independence would be short one because a P5 conference would pick them up.

It was time for Bronco to move on after 11 seasons but more importantly the decision was about money. Bronco was making about $900K to $1.2M, he is now getting $3.25M per year. Thats likely a pretty damn good raise. Not even sure it would be a question for anyone faced with this decision.

 

[LasVegasReb]

You could be right. He did somehow hold onto Boise State and SDSU when it looked like they were gone. But I never thought he parlayed Utah's 2 undefeated runs or TCU's success into something bigger. Maybe he tried I just don't remember him out there selling the conference.

I do think its time for a change. The perception of the MWC has been in a steady decline for a few years.

Agreed but there was less separation then, although it was AQ versus Non-AQ. Plus, we had a HORRIBLE tv contract which of course was his fault.

I liked his gamble with creation of the Mountain West Network, but it was ahead of its time. Additionally, the control of the Mountain was in the WRONG hands, it looks years to get the necessary distribution and ultimately there was not enough eyeballs watching tier 3 games.

In regard to the holding on BSU and STDSU, it was a the bonus program that ultimately convinced Boise State to make change. I know the bonus program is a contentious situation. But now that the American is no longer a choice (making only slightly more than MWC in TV contracts), I think the MWC will start to diffuse the revenue more evenly in the future. I think a bonus program that bonuses TV spots will stay be in play but to a lesser extent.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

As much as I dislike the CTR mentality of BYU, they have always had good sports programs and a very strong brand. They travel well and have fans by proxy in every single city in the US.

They choose independence for two reasons; #1-They burned their relationship with MWC and member universities by attempting a mutiny that would have destroyed (or close to) the MWC, #2-They thought that their independence would be short one because a P5 conference would pick them up.

It was time for Bronco to move on after 11 seasons but more importantly the decision was about money. Bronco was making about $900K to $1.2M, he is now getting $3.25M per year. Thats likely a pretty damn good raise. Not even sure it would be a question for anyone faced with this decision.

Big raise that just about anybody would jump at. I agree.

I do think however however Bronco got BYU as far as they were ever going to go until they join a P5 conference. He saw that. UVA is going to be a tough turn around. He probably gets 3-4 years to do it. BYU he probably could have coached there another 10-20 years as long as he continued to post similar results.

I understand BYU leaving MWC. I do think however their was some thinking they had grown to a Notre Dame type brand.

Their sports will continue to be solid, they have an inside track/niche with LDS kids. I just don't think without a conference affiliation they can take the next step. Until they loosen some rules like playing on Sunday, no Power 5 conference is going to bend over backward for them.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Agreed but there was less separation then, although it was AQ versus Non-AQ. Plus, we had a HORRIBLE tv contract which of course was his fault.

I liked his gamble with creation of the Mountain West Network, but it was ahead of its time. Additionally, the control of the Mountain was in the WRONG hands, it looks years to get the necessary distribution and ultimately there was not enough eyeballs watching tier 3 games.

In regard to the holding on BSU and STDSU, it was a the bonus program that ultimately convinced Boise State to make change. I know the bonus program is a contentious situation. But now that the American is no longer a choice (making only slightly more than MWC in TV contracts), I think the MWC will start to diffuse the revenue more evenly in the future. I think a bonus program that bonuses TV spots will stay be in play but to a lesser extent.

I am actually hoping this all becomes a mute point and we get our own invite to a P5 conference in the future.

 

[Sam-I-am]

I am actually hoping this all becomes a mute point and we get our own invite to a P5 conference in the future.

That is the best way to look at it. Need upgrades in facilities and the near campus stadium to get there first.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

That is the best way to look at it. Need upgrades in facilities and the near campus stadium to get there first.

Both appear to be in the works. The number of TVs/potential advertising dollars in Las Vegas make us an attractive addition. It comes down to new facilities/stadium and football becoming relevant. We don't have to be great but consistantly winning 6+ games would certainly help.

 

[Sam-I-am]

Both appear to be in the works. The number of TVs/potential advertising dollars in Las Vegas make us an attractive addition. It comes down to new facilities/stadium and football becoming relevant. We don't have to be great but consistantly winning 6+ games would certainly help.

It really is time for the Casinos to band together and get the new stadium built. It would bring in a great amount of casino traffic plus, if the stadium has a retractable roof, it "could" hold a power 5 conference championship game and improve the bowl to become one of the big boys like the Capital One or Holiday Bowl.