BYU & the Big XII: From the Perspective of a True Outsider

Recently the Big XII conference announced that they would consider expanding the conference to 12 or 14 members as soon as 2017. Among those rumored to be under consideration are Houston, Cincinnati, UConn, Memphis, Colorado State, and of course BYU. In the days following the conference's announcement there has been oodles of speculation about who will get let in, who will be left out, or if the Big XII will even expand at all. 

To most, BYU seems like the front runner in nearly every way except geography. The Cougars have a strong football tradition which includes a national championship, a Heisman Trophy winner (who just so happens to be BYU's current offensive coordinator), and multiple other prestigious individual awards. BYU also boasts strong men's and women's basketball and Olympic sports. All of this along with the fact that BYU does have a national following adds up to make the Cougars at the very least a strong candidate should the Big XII choose to expand. 

Inclusion in a power 5 conference, of course, has been the proverbial unicorn that Cougar faithful have sought since they be came an FBS independent in football and joined the WCC for all other sports in 2010, the very same year BYU's arch rival Utah was invited to the PAC 12. BYU's independence in football, as intended, makes them an attractive candidate for the Big XII because they will be immediately available without having to pay an exit fee from another conference. Independence in football also makes BYU a possibility to add as a football only member with the rest of their sports remaining in the WCC, though this would be less than ideal for the Cougars. 

From a statistical standpoint, BYU's numbers are better nearly across the board than any other G5 candidate. If you don't belive me check out byutobig12.com for an extensive analysis. 

With all of this put together it's clear that Tom Holmoe has put BYU in a great position by making them the strongest and most easily accessible potential candidate for Big XII expansion. Indeed it seems that BYU is a shoe in the event that the Big XII does send out invitations.