BYU Likes Independence, Cougars Defeat Ole Miss Rebels In Oxford

Saturday was a statement game for BYU. In the Cougars first game as an independent BYU had to depend on their defense against Ole Miss, and that unit did the job.

BYU's defense held Ole Miss to 208 yards of total offense and forced a key fumble forced by sophomore linebacker Kyle Van Noy and recovered by Van Noy in the end zone late in the game that proved to be the winner and the Cougars prevailed in Oxford, MS 14-13

Here's a report from KSTU-TV in Salt Lake City, UT:

 

"This is one of the most satisfying victories because we were able to execute in a hostile environment." BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said in a post game press conference. " We found a way to win which says a lot. There will be many things to point out that we could have done better but we found a way to win the game.”

"We played a really good football team, and I wish them the best this season. But for us to come down in their house and pull out the win like we did showed a lot of toughness and grit." BYU quarterback Jake Heaps said after the game.

“I hate to lose one like that." Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt said in a post game press conference. " We had the ball and then that fumble happened. There were a few plays that just make you sick and you wish you had them back.”

BYU has another statement game next week against Texas. The Cougars have some momentum for that one.

Tourney Update: By Jimmer, the Gators win

Proof that you need more than one great player to win, even at the NCAA level. The Florida Gators did what they needed to do, though it took an overtime period to do it, beating the Jimmer, Jimmer Fredette and the BYU Cougars 83-74 last night.

Fredette managed to drop 32 on the Gators, but it took him 29 shots to do it. Nobody else made a major contribution. In fact, Florida took advantage with Alex Tyus having the game of his life with 19 points and 17 boards, which offeset the 11 for 34 they shot from 3-point range.

The next matchup for Florida, Butler, which may very well be one of the best games of this years tournament, or so we can hope.

Your highlights again from our friends at SI.com:



In other Thursday night action. Butler continued their run, sliding into the Elite 8 with a 61-54 win over Washington and Kemba Walker led UConn to a 74-67 win over San Diego State.

The March Through The Madness: Day Three Recap

Just a couple since Butler is taking up most of the space...

BYU gets to the Sweet 16 with a blowout win over Gonzaga. A lot of people, including some of us at the HQ, thought that without an inside presence the Cougs would be in trouble. Now, they're back to the Sweet 16 since Danny Ainge...

Here's a wrap with BYU voice Greg Wrubel
((HT: KSL-TV))

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

It took an extra ten minutes for San Diego State to get rid of Temple...
Billy White had a double-double...
((HT: CBSSports/NCAA/TNT))


And Wisconsin withstood Jacob Pullen's 38 points and move on after a win over Kansas State... and, no, we're not going to show the Jacob Pullen postgame- just because K-State head coach Frank Martin was a bit of a jerk about it...
((HT: CBSSports/NCAA/TNT))

The March To The Madness: Day One Recap

Around the horn we go...

Team coverage from our friends at KHQ-TV in Spokane on the Zags win over St. John's
The HQ is sad that ther will be no more open-collared-dom from Steve Lavin this tournament...


WLEX-TV has True Blue Tampa coverage as Cal's Cats survived Princeton


The HQ is guessing that network coverage wasn't off the air as to why Alan Cutler gave us full screens...

WHAS-TV in Louisville gives us Team Onions coverage when Morehead knocked off the Cards in Denver...


Coach Pitino talked retirement, but the HQ doesn't buy it at present...
Emotional man after an emotional game...

The sign of the day in the stands goes to BYU in their win over Wofford...
Wanna stop the Cougars...? "Fredette About It..."
Nice...

Here's some Cougar postgame, thanks to our friends at KSL-TV in Salt Lake...

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

A not-very-good UCLA team almost blows a 23-point lead, but hangs on over Michigan State and the Fighting Izzos... Bruins head coach Ben Howland attempts to explain...
Thanks to our friends at KTLA-TV
 

Butler finally got their buzzer-beater win as Matt Howard lingered long enough for the put-back in the game against Old Dominion...
Here's Howard, thanks to our friends at FoxIndiana...
((HT: WXIN-TV))
 

That should get you warmed up for Day Two...

The Politics Of Dancing: San Diego State Over Jimmer, Northern Colorado Is In, As Are The Gauchos

Dana Greene of ABC4 in Salt Lake City has the run on Jimmer's 52 before the Aztecs got a holt of them in the MWC final...

The HQ just likes saying "Jimmer..."


KDVR's Jon Bowman has the Cinderella story of Northern Colorado out of the Big Sky Tournament. They've only been four years in Division I hoops...
 

Memphis' Joe Jackson looked sharp as the Tigers beat UTEP with seconds to go for the Conference USA automatic bid...
((HT: MyFoxMemphis))

Jackson's Free Throws Send Memphis to NCAA Tourney: MyFoxMEMPHIS.com

Mike Klan of KEYT-TV in Santa Barbara has highlights of early Big West tourney action where UCSB beat Pacfic. They went on to upset northridge and Long Beach to get to the Plus-4 field...

BYU's Davies Suspended For The Rest Of Season

((HT: KSL-TV))

The BYU Honor Code is a lot bigger than the average Honor Code. It covers everything from caffeine to clothing to pre-marital sex- all of wehich are heavily monitored and/or outlawed in various aspects of the Mormon upbringing.

Sophomore center Brandon Davies violated some aspect of the code and is now paying the price- as are the rest of his teasmmates on the basketball team.

Thom Kirkland caught up with all appropriate parties...

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Coach Dave Reid will address the matter after their next game tonight against New Mexico.

This don't look good...

Who Wants To Be Number One...???

Apparently, it's a curse this year...

Last night in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech came up and bit Duke to send the Blue Devils packing after their newly-minted number one ranking...

Here's the short version...
((HT: ESPN/youtube))


Won't be Texas since they completely torched a 22-point lead in Boulder against Colorado... here's what it was like to storm the court after the tank job by Rick Barnes' team...
((HT: pauljharris))


Is BYU going to get any run there since they went to San Diego State and took care of them by 13...? Jimmer Fredette led the Cougars with 25...
((HT: CBS/youtube))


Or does it go back to Ohio State and Kansas and take all the imagination out of the process...???

The HQ thinks it's probably that...

Broseph's Bits And The Saturday Gospel

There's something almost magical about the words "Pitchers and Catchers report." I purchased my first baseball magazine today and opening it's pages almost opened me up to sunshine, sand and beautiful weather. Spring training is almost upon us and with that the hopes and dreams of all the major league fanbases that they could be the team to shock the world and make the playoffs. Granted for some that's a little more realistic then others, but on this day everyone's got a shot.

I'm a Marlins fan. I know that it doesn't fit with me being from Philadelphia, but I just never got into the Phillies. Most would say that's a poor move on my part, but I like being a fan of the Fish. I'll wait while you insert an attendance/fanbase joke. I've heard them all. Anyways, Florida's chances are as good as the Yankees or the Phillies right now because everyone's 0-0.

I'm done waxing poetic...here are the picks

Michigan/Indiana Over 130 -- The Wolverines enter Saturday's game with Indiana winners of four of their last five. Michigan has done it with offense at home putting up 87 on Iowa and 75 on Northwestern. This is a team that doesn't mind running a bit at home. They have also scored 76 on Penn State and 75 on Utah. Overall, they are scoring 66.8 points per game, but takes into account their poor play away from home. Darius Morris (15.4 ppg) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (12.2 ppg) lead the way offensively. Michigan has gone over in seven of their 11 lined home games this season. That stat goes nicely with the six overs in eight road games for the Hoosiers. Indiana has given up nearly 79 points per game away from the confines of their arena. They are led by Verdell Jones III (12.2 ppg) and Jordan Hulls (11.3 ppg). Outside of a 53 point performance last time out in Purdue, the Hoosiers have scored at least 60 in every game away from home. Indiana won the first meeting between the two on January 15th 80-61. This game should be around that total this time as well.

Brigham Young -20 -- Jimmer Fredette and BYU look to improve on their 104-79 win over Utah in the first meeting between the two teams. Fredette put up 47 points as the Cougars shot 47% from the field in this blow out win. As a matter of fact, the BYU starting five put up 102 of the 104 points in the game. The Utes are coming off a 32 point loss at San Diego State where they scored only 53 points. Utah has failed to score more then 55 points in their last three games. The road has been unkind at times to the Utes who lost by 13 at Hawaii, 13 at UNLV and 17 at Utah State. The team is allowing over 70 points per contest which doesn't bode well against BYU who is putting them up in bunches. The Cougars average almost 84 points per contest and have failed to score 70 or more once when they put up 69 in Wyoming. BYU has beaten almost every one of their opponents at home by double digits. This one shouldn't be pretty at all.

Washington -15.5 -- Washington got real healthy against California on Thursday night. Now they'll welcome Stanford to town. The Huskies continue to roll offensively putting up almost 86 points per game. Washington put up 109 against the Golden Bears last time out. We've given you the stats on the home domination for U-Dub. They don't mess around at all. This team will also have revenge on their mind as they somehow lost 58-56 to the Cardinal on the road on January 13th. Sure, Stanford got a win over Washington State last time out, but that performance hasn't been the road norm. The team has lost five games by double digits away from home. This one has blowout written all over it and if the Cardinal aren't careful, Washington may put up 100 or more on them too.

Upset Saturday In NCAA's... How Many Ranked Teams Fell...???

((HT: KSL-TV))

First off, BYU couldn't keep their momentum after knocking off San Diego State as they lost to New Mexico at The Pit...

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Louisville got a hold of UConn, but it took double overtime to do it...
((HT: WHAS-TV))


Arkansas, somewhat inexplicably, knocked off Vandy in Nashville, thanks KARK-TV...

Penn State surprised 17th-ranked Wisconsin, thanks WISC-TV in Madison...

Nebraska upsets Texas A&M...


Miss State beat Florida, thanks to MyFoxMemphis

And Marquette upset Syracuse ((but isn't everyone these days)), thanks cbs58...

You can't stop Jimmer Fredette, you can only hope to contain him...

Jimmer Fredette/Courtesy: blogs.mcall.com

Just ask the previously unbeaten and formerly 4th ranked team in the country, San Diego State 71-58. BYUI's Jimmer Fredette did his best Pistol Pete Maravich imitation, dropping 43 points and adding to his ever growing legend.

Fredette, the nations leading scorer has already had a slew of highlight reel plays, showing up almost nightly on YouTube or SportsCenter. He's got his Cougars now 20-1 and ranked 9th in the country, talked about as a serious threat in a season without a dominant team.

Read more about BYU's win last night from Heraldextra.com RIGHT HERE

Really, if you haven't had a chance to check in on the exploits of one Jimmer Fredette, it would be well worth your time. He's a guy with an eternal green light to shoot and who's range seems to be almost to half-court. He's a great player who has made his team and teammates better. And he seems to be a really good kid with his head on straight.

Read this account of the adventures of Jimmer from heraldextra.com RIGHT HERE

Will he be an NBA Superstar? Who knows? Does it really matter? Every once and awhile a college athlete captivates Sports fans and Sports writers and the frenetic' Fredette seems to be that guy now. He seems to have developed an almost Chuck Norris type of following among writers and the internet types.

Really, right now, as football winds down, we need some good TV Sports. You may have to tune in to an obscure channel like CBS College Sports to find the Jimmer's games, but trust us when we say...if you have the chance....do it.

Here's Jimmer talking about beating San Diego State Wednesday night. Thanks CBSSports.com:



Our friends at CBSSports also give us the story behind the legend that is Jimmer Fredette:



Highlights from the BYU's win over San Diego State. (Thanks KSL-TV, Salt Lake City, UT)

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Broseph's Bits And The Tuesday Gospel

I feel it's my duty to educate the reader in all facets of the upcoming NCAA Tournament. We'll do our own bracketology shortly, but until then, it's time to identify the teams who could bust your bracket and why they should be on your radar. These are the schools that Millie in accounting who doesn't know Duke from her dog named Duke, use to move on because her cousin's sister knows someone who went there. We must take back the office pool from the secretary's of the world. Otherwise, what's the use in watching all of these games. Without further ado, your true bracket busters...

Belmont (16-3, 8-0 in) the Atlantic Sun -- The Bruins ironically have played Tennessee twice this season losing both games by less then double digits. In their December battle, they fell 66-65 in Knoxville. Belmont's other loss came in Vanderbilt where they once again fell 85-76. A lot of teams have come into those buildings and gotten their doors blown off. The rest of the schedule is littered with wins over patsies and scrubs. Belmont has three players capable of scoring and are led by Ian Clark who averages 12.1 points per game and shoots nearly 50% from the field. This team may be capable of scaring someone for one round.

Coastal Carolina (16-2, 7-0 in the Big South) -- The Chanticleers probably deserve to be here based on nickname alone. It rolls off the tongue and inspires fear in their opponents when uttered. They've tested themselves in the out of conference portion of their schedule winning at LSU while defeating Charlotte and East Carolina. Coastal's two losses came against Charleston and Georgetown way back in November. Desmond Holloway leads CCU with 18.8 points per game shooting 52% from the field. This team is probably a one and done, but keep them on the radar.

Long Beach State (11-8, 6-0 in the Big West) -- The 49ers have really tested themselves especially during a seven game road trip where they took on Boise State, Utah State, North Carolina, St. Mary's and Arizona State. Granted, they've lost most of their early tests, but they do own a win over Iowa. This team is no stranger to playing big conference teams also taking on Washington, Clemson and San Diego State. They've righted the ship winning six straight conference games. Once they get Larry Anderson back, they will be real deadly with five players averaging double digits in points. Casper Ware (14.8 ppg) and T.J. Robinson (14 ppg) are very good players. This team has tournament experience and the athletes to give the wrong team real fits.

Harvard (12-3, 1-0 in the Ivy League) -- In order to raise the IQ of those post, we must include a member of the Ivy League. It's no longer Cornell's playhouse as the Crimson are showing that it's time for new blood in the conference. The Crimson's three losses are at George Mason, Michigan and UConn. They do own wins over Colorado, Boston College and George Washington. They are also led by Tommy Amaker who is helping this team try to make it's first ever NCAA Tournament. These guys can score and have the weapons on offense to do so. Keith Wright (14.5 ppg) and Christian Webster (13.7 ppg) form a nice inside-out duo with Laurent Rivard (12.5 ppg) providing some scoring off the bench. This team has sweet 16 potential in the right pod.

Oakland (12-8, 7-0 in the Summit Conference) -- You know the recent additions of Brian Fuentes and Hideki Matsui make this team....err...no it's the Oakland Grizzlies. They, much like the other teams on this list, have been tested by the big conference schools. Oakland has wins over Ohio and Tennessee. This team has lost by three to Wright State, 11 at Illinois, one at Michigan State and one vs. Valpo. Keith Benson is one of the best players in the country that no one has ever heard of. Benson averages 16.6 points per game and 10.2 rebounds. He shoots almost 52% from the field and blocks almost four per contest. The Golden Grizzlies won't be afraid of anyone and could be the type of 14 or 15 that could produce a rare upset.

Bucknell (12-7, 3-0 in the Patriot League) -- The Bison are one of those quirky teams that will give certain teams and styles fit. They own victories over La Salle and Richmond from the A-10 with a close loss at Boston College as well. Bucknell played at Villanova and Marquette giving them experience in taking on Big East teams. This team has won 10 of their last 11 and has hit a groove offensively scoring at least 70 in eight of their last nine games. They are led by Mike Muscala who averages almost 16 points per game. They get contributions from Bryson Johnson (10.5 ppg) and G.W. Boon (9.8 ppg). Quirky teams who play good defense has always given larger schools issues in the tournament.

We'll keep you posted on more teams who hit the radar. Now it's time for the picks, which went 2-0 yesterday with Idaho winning outright.

Georgia -3.5 -- The Bulldogs host Tennessee on Tuesday evening. Georgia has been one of the great stories this season whereas the Volunteers have been one of the weirdest. The Vols started out 7-0 before losing three straight including two at home to Oakland and USC. They then barely beat Belmont and Tennessee-Martin before losing at home to College of Charleston. Tennessee is now sitting at 11-6 after a nice comeback win at home against Vanderbilt. The team's defense has abandoned them allowing almost 70 points per game. They have three double digit scorers in Scotty Hopson (16.5 ppg), Tobias Harris (15.6 ppg) and Cameron Tatum (10.5 ppg). The Bulldogs are 13-3 and 2-1 in the SEC. They also have a few weapons in Trey Thompkins (17.9 ppg), Travis Leslie (14.6 ppg) and Gerald Robinson (13.9 ppg). The key will be how they handle the Volunteer pressure. UGA has only turned the ball over 11.3 times in conference play. Georgia is 8-0 at home winning by an average of 13 points per contest. They knocked off Kentucky there on January 8th winning 77-70. Georgia has covered in five of their nine games against teams with winning record.

BYU/TCU Over 152 -- Jimmer Fredette has been adding to his candidacy for player of the year with each passing game. He scored 47 points against Utah on January 11th raising his scoring average to 26.1 points per game at the time. Now BYU hosts TCU in a game where he can showcase his talents once again. The Cougars are scoring just under 85 points per game and have not scored under 70 all season long. Their lowest point total was 72 against Weber State on December 21st. They have gone over the total in nine of their 13 lined games this season. Fredette isn't the only weapon that the Cougars have. Jackson Emery (12.6 ppg) and Brandon Davies (11.2 ppg) along with Noah Hartsock (9.9 ppg) also provide some punch for this BYU team. They play mediocre defense allowing 66.6 points per game. They'll face a Horned Frogs team that scores 71.5 points per game while allowing 69.4. Ronnie Moss (15.3 ppg) and Garlon Green (11.8 ppg) pace the TCU offense with two others averaging over nine points per game. In their last two road games, the Horned Frogs allowed 83 to UNLV and 79 to Colorado State. This team is also capable of scoring going over 80 points six times this season. This series has produced some high scoring affairs. BYU has put up 95, 107, 76, 79 and 73 in their last five games against TCU. Nine of the last 12 games have gone over the total. We think this one will too.

TWTW Bowling: BYU All Over UTEP

((HT: KRQE-TV))

A lot of people are wondering where this offense was all season long- even with a talented freshman QB in BYU's Jake Heaps...

The BYU football team ended their season with a 52-24 win over UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl. Jake Heaps throws a BYU bowl record 4 touchdowns and passes for 264 yards in the win. BYU finishes the season 7-6, winning 6 of their last 8 games.

Here's your highlights...

BYU routes Utep 52-24 to win New Mexico Bowl: krqe.com

TWTW: Utah Holds Off BYU 17-16

((HT: KSL-TV Salt Lake City))

Brandon Burton came around the edge and blocked a 42-yard field goal attempt by BYU's Mitch Payne as time expired to lift the Utes to a heart-stopping 17-16 come-from-behind victory over BYU on Saturday in front of 45,272 fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake.

Rod Zundel gets his time in front of his new-fangled green screen...

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

TWTW: Utah State Breaks 10-Year Skid Versus BYU

Which lends itself to the larger question...

What in the hell has happened to BYU...???

The Aggies beat the Cougars 31-16 Friday taking a 17-0 lead as the Aggies won the instate rivalry for the first time since 1993.

The USU defense kept BYU and quarterback Jake Heaps in check, sacking him twice and "holding him" to 27-of-55 for 270 yards passing.

The Cougars only rushed for 65 yards.
BYU is 1-4 for the first time since 1973, having lost four straight.

Here's your wrap, thanks to our friends at KSL-TV...
Rod Zundel is indoors...Jeremiah Jensen is at Merlin Olsen Field...

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

DEVELOPING: BYU Formally Announces Independence

((HT: Fox13Now/KSTU-TV))

BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe says the Cougars' move to independence in football has plenty of risks and he hopes even bigger rewards.

Holmoe gave some details Wednesday about BYU's athletic future. While football will play without a conference, other sports are joining the West Coast Conference starting next year.

By leaving the Mountain West Conference, BYU was able to negotiate its own broadcast rights for football. BYU announced that the school has an eight-year deal with ESPN to televise the Cougars on one of the network's channels.

BYU said it has also agreed to a six-game deal with fellow independent Notre Dame. Holmoe says the two schools are still working out the details.

Here's Cecil Samuelson and Tom Holmoe at their emancipation presser...
 

DEVELOPING: Independence Day In Provo, BYU Football Goes It Alone...

Well, almost alone... they join Notre Dame, Army, and Navy...

They made the decision by the sum total of one day before the imposed deadline of the Mountain West Conference and the Cougars have decided to go it as a Division I independent in football. All other sports will register with the West Coast Conference.

BYU's original idea was to join the WAC in other sports while staying independent with football, but when Fresno State and Nevada decided to crossover from the MWC to the WAC that plan was scuttled.

The four letter has already jumped in and said they would be a partner with Cougar football in some capacity.

Shocker there....

There are issues with three BYU Sports that the West Coast Conference doesn't currently support: softball, swimming and diving, and track and field.

The presser to explain all of this is set for 2PM eastern time Wednesday.

Here's the latest from our friends at KSL-TV in Salt Lake...
FOSG Tom Kirkland sits at the adult table...

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

The WCC has eight members in its conference at present- seven of them are affiliated with the Catholic Church. Pepperdine is affilaited with the Churches of Christ. BYU will add more credibility to the basketball roster that currently has Gonzaga, St. Mary's, and Santa Clara.

((Insert holy war reference of your choosing here))

Here is an interview with Dick Harmon, sports columnist with the Deseret News, that Kirkland had in full with KSL-TV...

And here's Fox Salt Lake City's lead story on the move...
Rick Aaron is on campus...
((HT: Fox13Now/KSTU))
 

BYU Staying In Mountain West After All...???

From the "sound and fury signifying nothing" department...

According to a report by Natalie Meisler in the Denver Post, BYU may stay in the Mountain West Conference after all. When Fresno State and Nevada left the WAC to join the Mountain West the idea kinds fell apart on its own.

The Post says a decision could come as soon as today, and the school has until September 1st to inform the Mountain West Conference that it is leaving if it wants to play as an independent starting in 2011.

When contacted by ABC 4 TV in Salt Lake City, BYU associate athletic director Duff Tittle said in an e-mail, "Nothing has changed at BYU. As we have said for weeks, we continue to explore all options."

If BYU stays in the Mountain West, its membership would be at 11 teams, so the next question would be whether or not to expand to 12 schools. Utah State, which originally received an invite from the MWC before turning it down, would be a likely candidate.

Utah State has expressed an interest after their initial "thanks, but no thanks" move. The HQ doesn't think it was a move they could afford to make in the first place...

The HQ thinks the Aggies need to listen to Winston Zeddimore...
((HT: Columbia Pictures/Youtube))

BREAKING: MWC Invites Fresno And Nevada; Fresno Accepts

The Mountain West Conference has extended invitations to Fresno State and Nevada to join their party. This comes on the heels of BYU looking to go their own way...

You know... go your own way...


The MWC announced on Wednesday that it has offered the two the chance to join and leave the Western Athletic Conference and join a league that's losing Utah - and possibly BYU- next season but gaining Boise State, another WAC school.

But there is an issue... a pretty big one...
After Boise State announced its departure, the remaining WAC members signed a $5 million buyout agreement that would be assessed to any member that left the conference within the next five years.

With the budget issues that are in California and Nevada these days, it might be a big problem- even with the invite...

Fresno State Presdient John Welty, according to KGPE-TV in Fresno, accepted but the deal won't be officially announced until later this evening.

In a statement, Welty said:
“Fresno State is honored to have received the invitation to join the Mountain West Conference. We are seriously considering the invitation, and do so with the best interests of our Athletics program, our university, our community and Bulldog fans as our top priorities.”

Here's the latest on BYU going independent that seemed to have started all this recent mess...

Thanks to our friends at KSL-TV in Salt Lake City...

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

A Utah State University source close to the situation ((Boy, do we like those)) told the Deseret News that BYU is bolting after the quorum of the Twelve Apostles Thursday...

BYU To Declare Independence

[HT: Salt Lake Tribune]

The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that BYU's move to leave the Mountain West Conference to become a football independent and join the Western Athletic Conference in all sports but football is all but a done deal.

The paper is citing sources from the WAC on its website saying BYU will seek final approval on the moves from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who owns the university, either today or Thursday. A press conference could take place next week is approval is granted.

Click on the link below to read more.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/50131959-77/byu-football-wac-mountain.html.csp

BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall told a group of reporters before practice Wednesday,
"I am not in the loop regarding anything," Mendenhall went on to say that he has so much more going on as far as who plays quarterback, tight end, etc. Mendenhall also added that he hasn't been on the Internet since he took the BYU head coaching job five years ago and doesn't value what it has to say.

There is word coming from WAC sources that Boise State may be rethinking their move to the Mountain West Conference now that Utah and perhaps BYU, two cornerstones MWC, are bolting.

There's been no comment from the Mountain West Conference over the fact the league is about to lose a second school.

Photo Courtesy: Stuart Johnson/Desert News

BYU Looks To Make A Move

[HT: Salt Lake Tribune/The Desert News]

Rumors are flying all over Utah that BYU might be leaving the Mountain West Conference. According to various reports BYU would join the Western Athletic Conference is all sports but football and compete as an independent in that sport.

BYU just may be very serious about going independent. TV rules the roast in college football and the university has made a very significant investment in the medium. BYU has there own broadcast center complete with their own network, BYU TV, that broadcasts on satellite services. (Note: I have AT&T U-verse and BYU TV is one of my channels.) The university has the infrastructure in place to broadcast their own games on their own network, all in HD. Will a broadcast network want to invest dollars to air BYU's games like NBC with Notre Dame?

That appears to be what is moving the university toward independence in football. It remains to be seen though if BYU could get a BCS exception like Notre Dame has.

BYU must inform the Mountain West Conference by September 1st if they plan to make any move following the 2010-11 academic year. The clock is ticking.

A month ago BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe seemed to have been exploring the possibility of going independent in football. After all the conference shuffling had calmed down Holmoe had this to say to local reporters on whether going independent is a consideration,

"Independence is an option that obviously has been out there. We will look at everything. We have looked at everything. There are pros and cons to the Pac-10, the Big Ten, the Big 12, the Mountain West Conference and independence. With all these things there are pros and cons.
So what you have to do is you have to weigh those and measure them against what? What is right for BYU. And not for what is right for BYU in the year 2010, but what is right for BYU into the future. That is quite a bit more complex than most people understand. You have got a constituency to deal with. You have got a school to deal with. "

You can read more from Jay Drew of the Salt Lake Tribune by clicking below:
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogs/byusports/50129575-65/byu-holmoe-conference-looking.html.csp

UPDATE: BYU associate athletic director Duff Tittle was quoted in various Utah newspapers Wednesday that there is "not much we can say right now." regarding the rumors of BYU going independent in football.

ESPN.com has reported that a news conference has been scheduled for Thursday. Tittle was not aware of said news conference but did add he would alert the media if some announcement would be made.

Click on the Desert News link below for more.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700058103/BYU-football-Cougars-keeping-mum-about-WAC-rumors.html