I know that question sounds like it comes from the tin-hat crowd, but hear me out. Start with the question of why we have fewer viewers this year than any of the 10 Independence years. Can you think of one of those years that gave us MORE national spotlight and fan hype than we have now?

Then ask if it is only BYU that is underperforming their numbers. Is the rest of the Big 12 beating their numbers? My guess is they are not.

My guess is that the biggest chunk of Big 12 viewers in the past were Texas and Oklahoma fans so we’ve actually lost more audience than we knew we would.

Because if the answer is something less plausible then that, I’m quick to suspect foul play from the SEC and B1G, who stand to lose very big if this conference steals away eyeballs.