G5 NEWS COMMENTARY: BYU AND THE G5: HOW BYU COULD SHAKE UP THE G5 LANDSCAPE

COMMENTARY: BYU AND THE NEW FOOTBALL LANDSCAPE

OBC(original G5 blog content)


Yet another program finds itself in the midst of a scheduling quandary as a result of  the P5 conferences decision to schedule games that will enhance the profile of their  resumes in order to compete in the   College Playoff system set to begin  this fall. This time however, the school that finds itself in the cross hairs of this decision,  is the storied and powerful independent, BYU.  When the ACC announced that BYU would not count as P5 competition for scheduling purposes within the ACC schedule mandates, a potential major hurdle was placed in front of the traditionally  competitive  BYU program. 

The college football landscape is going through its most dramatic overhaul in more than 2 decades. The new College Playoff system threatens to place  schools like BYU on the outside looking in on the P5's  competitive and financial advantage. This is all the more dramatic for BYU, as it was only a few short years ago that the program was mentioned as a serious candidate for the B12. Now however, BYU finds itself  in the same boat  as the rest of the G5 schools, wondering what the new scheduling philosophy means to them long term.

BYU seems to be heading towards a crossroads in terms of its ability to maintain its independent  status and remain relevant   in the FBS.  Serious thought to joining one of the G5 conferences  has now become a necessity instead of a luxury for the nationally known BYU program.  In a move to  reduce some of the sting from the new scheduling reality in FBS football, BYU has already begun a quasi relationship with the AAC. Something that that American Conference and BYU can both  potentially benefit from.

With the new scheduling issues potentially facing BYU,  is it now plausible  that the best outcome for BYU going forward maybe to simply join the AAC as a member with special status. Status that would allow the school to continue to maintain its healthy financial agreement with ESPN and also have a conference that allows it to play a competitive slate of football and basketball games.

If the AAC were to land BYU, then it seems possible that we could see another round of realignment take place, this time however among the G5 conferences. If AAC commish Mike Aresco can convince BYU to join the AAC then it might give the conference enough leverage to entice MWC schools like SDSU, Fresno State and Boise State, to join the AAC as a new western division. As a former tv executive with ESPN and CBS, Aresco might then be able to convince both networks that the AAC , with a new western division anchored by BYU,  represents a viable and competitive conference deserving of more money and status.

BYU joining the AAC  would also potentially put more pressure on conferences like the MWC,  MAC, Sun Belt and Conf USA to consolidate  and create a so called best of the four. With schools like Marshall, UL, Ark State, La Tech, ODU ,NIU,  Colorado State and even Air Force  there would likely be both a market and tv money available for a new conference formed to compete with a newly reconfigured AAC conference.

While the waters remain cloudy for the G5 going forward,  it is now clearer than ever,   that the G5 conference that is the most creative and willing to shake up the status quo will be the G5 conference that finds itself at the top of the pile going forward.  It is also clear at the moment, that BYU is the prize in the G5 world. You can be sure that they will be courted heavily in the months to come by both the AAC and the MWC.  It is also not out of the realm of possibility that if BYU were to join the AAC, that  a new round of consolidation among the G5 would occur in order to compete and survive  . With the new scheduling issues created by the P5, the G5 will be looking for strength in numbers and quality  in order to  compete and survive. At this point, it is not at all clear who the winners will be in the long run. No G5 conference however, wants to be without a chair to sit in when the music stops.  Stay Tuned.