Brigham Younger made life depressing for the Pac-12 final season, profitable all 5 head-to-head matchups. The Cougars may trigger simply as a lot bother in future years by not dealing with the convention in any respect.
The Pac-12 has 15 video games beneath contract with BYU beginning within the 2023 season, when the Cougars stop to be an Impartial and be part of the Massive 12.
A number of the matchups — and maybe many — are prone to being canceled as BYU makes room on its schedule for convention video games in its new house.
The Massive 12 has not decided whether or not it would play eight league video games or 9 as soon as it provides BYU, Houston, Cincinnati and UCF. (The Cougars start play in ’23; the others may be part of that 12 months or in 2024.) And it should plan for the departures of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC beginning in 2025, as effectively.
However both consequence may affect the feasibility of BYU dealing with Pac-12 opponents in any given 12 months.
“Internally, BYU transferring to the Massive 12 presents us with important scheduling points,” stated Merton Hanks, the Pac-12’s senior affiliate commissioner and chief of soccer operations.
It’s a difficulty for a number of groups over the following decade: Stanford and Utah have six video games scheduled in opposition to BYU beginning in 2023; Arizona has two and USC one.
Legally, the Cougars may stroll away from as most, if not all of them. In accordance with Pac-12 sources, sport contracts with BYU sometimes embrace a opt-out clause for the Cougars within the occasion they be part of a convention.
All the present contracts had been signed previous to BYU’s transfer to the Massive 12 final summer season.
One supply indicated the potential lack of the Cougars as a frequent opponent is a part of the bigger dialogue on the way forward for Pac-12 scheduling technique.
The convention has performed a nine-game rotation because the 2006 season however is evaluating the advantages of dropping to eight with a view to enhance its positioning for the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
One possibility for the additional non-conference opponent is a collection in opposition to the Massive Ten, however there’s no assure the alliance accomplice may also drop to eight league video games.
The Cougars are an excellent opponent for Pac-12 applications due to their proximity, the standard of the competitors and their means to promote tickets in opposing stadiums.
In some methods, they've performed the position of a convention member, all whereas wanting — however being denied — entry into the league.
(Their flexibility additionally has supplied Stanford and USC with an end-of-season opponent once they don’t host Notre Dame on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.)
The paucity of non-conference choices that make sense for the Pac-12 competitively and geographically — the overwhelming majority of Group of 5 colleges are within the jap half of the nation — would make future scheduling much more troublesome if BYU is not an possibility.
“It’s one thing now we have to contemplate,” a supply stated.
Video games at present beneath contract with the Cougars, beginning in 2023, and their standing:
Arizona
at BYU: 2026
vs. BYU: 2027
Standing: Nonetheless scheduled
Stanford
vs. BYU: 2026, 2028
at BYU: 2025, 2029, 2031, 2035
Standing: The Cardinal has “opened traces of communication with BYU as they put together to affix the Massive 12,” in accordance with a spokesperson. As well as, Stanford has contacted BYU about the necessity to reschedule the 2020 sport that was misplaced to COVID.
USC
vs. BYU: 2023
Standing: The late November sport is unlikely to be performed, in accordance with a convention supply.
Utah
vs: BYU: 2024, 2026, 2028, 2030
at BYU: 2025, 2027
Standing: The Utes confirmed the sport contracts embrace an opt-out clause for BYU however stated they haven't but been contacted about modifications.
Readability may come inside months because the Massive 12 maps out its scheduling plans for the 2 levels of its future existence: earlier than Texas and Oklahoma depart, and after.
“We’ve received subcommittees in a number of sports activities which are speaking about construction,” Massive 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby informed CBS Sports activities
From afar, the Pac-12 is watching intently.
Help the Hotline: Obtain three months of limitless entry for simply 99 cents. Yep, that’s 99 cents for 90 days, with the choice to cancel anytime. Particulars are right here, and thanks to your help.
*** Ship options, feedback and suggestions (confidentiality assured) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or name 408-920-5716
*** Comply with me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline shouldn't be endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Convention, and the views expressed herein don't essentially replicate the views of the Convention.