Are we going to remain Independent until the end of time? I really don't think that's a good long term solution and I'm sure Tom Holmoe knows it. I feel like BYU football is dying a slow death as an independent. We have got to figure out a way to get into a P5 conference. The Big 12 was our best opportunity and now that ship has sailed, maybe permanently.
The news today was really disappointing and frustrating, though not entirely unexpected. I allowed myself to get my hopes up over the summer, but I knew the longer this thing dragged on without an official announcement, that it probably spelled bad news for BYU. We're still the overall best candidate to join a P5, but I think we're also viewed as high maintenance and as a religious school with our honor code, we also carry a ton of baggage.
So what do we do? The Big 12 was the best fit geographically. It made the most sense. The Pac-12 will never take us because we're not liberal enough. The ACC, Big 10, and SEC are too far away geographically. We can't go back to the MWC. Our pride won't allow it, and I also agree that it would be taking a big step backwards. The AAC is intriguing. I think it's the best of the G5 conferences. But like the MWC, it might also be a step backwards and not be beneficial in the long term.
If scheduling becomes too difficult, and we can't get into a conference, will BYU just decide to drop sports and become like BYU-Idaho and just focus on academics? That would be my worst nightmare.
I'm really discouraged. I don't see a good solution or a way out of our predicament.