New opponent to be revealed
BYU has filled the spot in its football schedule vacated by Nevada and we’ll know today (Friday).
I suspect it will be what we used to call a Division IAA team, likely from the Big Sky or another conference close to the Rockies.
There will be an immediate reaction from the Cougar base.
The upset, ticked off crowd. This is a group that believes BYU should fill out its non-league games with as many name school as possible, the more from the BCS, the better.
The accepting, but disappointed crowd. This group understands Nevada messed with BYU and there was a rush to find another opponent but a Nevada (WAC) school type replacement could not be found without losing a home game, or a first of the year game. Let life go on.
The accepting, but who cares bunch. This group simply won’t come and watch a Division IAA game at BYU. They don’t like it, don’t want it and won’t waste the money.
If you polled the players, they would want to play the best, the highest ranked and the biggest name they can find — so they can measure themselves and have a chance, like Ty Detmer did, to play somebody at the top like Miami or Penn State.
If you polled coaches, they want a schedule that is realistic and manageable, one that has steps leading up to big games or conference play so preparations can be consistent and in order. They don’t mind getting an easy win along the way because their jobs depend on wins and losses in the program.
Funny how perceptions go.
Science says, the tougher your schedule you play, the more losses you incur. Ask Fresno State.
Statistician Paul Pocock figured it this way:
Here is how BYU has fared in their toughest 9 seasons, as measured by their opponent’s cumulative wins and losses:
Team Season W L T Win% Record
BYU 2003 89 60 0 59.73% 4-8-0
BYU 2004 75 53 0 58.59% 5-6-0
BYU 1991 89 63 5 58.28% 8-3-2
BYU 1999 77 61 0 55.80% 8-4-0
BYU 1993 79 63 1 55.59% 6-6-0
BYU 2005 71 57 0 55.47% 6-6-0
BYU 1992 83 68 2 54.90% 8-5-0
BYU 1982 75 64 0 53.96% 8-4-0
BYU 2000 76 65 0 53.90% 6-6-0
Two losing seasons, 3 seasons at 0.500 and no seasons with more than 8 wins.