BYU joins a conference after a decade of independence
BYU is doing fine financially, having signed a deal with ESPN as an independent that pays them a comparable amount to the deals ACC schools were signing at the time. Their independent status has even helped them line up deals for Bowl Games from the network.
But with the Big 12 desperate to recover from an SEC coup d’état, a chain effect can help BYU earn even more in TV rights money as a member of a Power 5 conference. Whether it be direct invite from the Big 12 or ending up with in-state Utah in the Pac-12 after a team like Colorado joins the Big 12, it feels like BYU’s run as an independent could be coming to an end.
While they have never been a Power 5 school before–having last played in the Mountain West before their run as an independent–they have produced enough professional talent to be worthy of such a spot.
Boise State brings the blue turf to the national limelight
While Boise State has always been a G5 favorite to many because of their classic blue field and ability to mold NFL prospects like Jay Ajayi and Doug Martin, they are ready to take the next step up in the college football step after 25 years playing below the very top tier of the sport.
A trio of Fiesta Bowl wins defines their legacy, but new Auburn football HC Bryan Harsin’s former school could be defined by a successful jump to the P5.