I atttended the wedding, wedding luncheon, and reception of a close friend today, so this is my first (and only) post of the day. First, let's start out with a few links. Here's a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune in which SDSU coach Brady Hoke says the Aztec football team most likely won't schedule BYU when the Cougars are independent. And here's an interesting story out of Pennsylvania in which former BYU golfer Danny Summerhays admits to being a University of Utah football fan.——————————- Yesterday, I solicited reader reaction in this space to the BYU football independence news. Unfortunately, we weren't able to publish any of your responses in the newspaper. But here are most of them:"I agree with the Fort Worth writer who said BYU's move was all about being "special," but I disagree that that's a bad thing."Keith Harten Woods Cross "Overall I think it was a good move. The MWC wasn't doing any favors for us. Once Utah left then it became clear that BYU alone [was] more valuable than the MWC. My biggest fear, though, is that our schedule gets worse. In the MWC we were playing TCU, CSU, AFA, and SDSU. I worry that we will now have a steady stream of Eastern Washingtons, Toledos, and Western Michigans with the occasional chance to be a "whipping-boy" for the Alabamas, Michigans, and other big name schools." Gifford VanBuren Saratoga Springs "This transition to independence adds a new and exciting dynamic to BYU football. Realistically, I don't believe that BYU will ever win another National Championship, although I would love to see that happen. However, I do believe that a BCS game is a possibility somewhere down the road. BYU wants all the positive exposure that they can generate for the BYU and more importantly the LDS Church. Winning BCS championships is not going to achieve that goal. Look at the Yankees, Cowboys, Lakers and even Boise State. Although many fans love a winner, there is a strong dislike for perennial winners, and such teams are often attacked with vitrolic accusations such as arrogance, cockiness and haughtiness; all views the LDS Church would like to avoid. If BYU can win 9 to 10 games a year and play on television sets all across the country and world, they are achieving the goal of increased positive exposure through messages of hope, faith, and family broadcast throughout the game."Jordan Guy Edwards West Jordan, UtahI enjoy college football as much as the next guy, but there is more to the world of sports than football and money. Most people could care less about sports other than football and basketball, but it is unfortunate our sports culture is more about money, winning and appearance and less about true athleticism, competition and sportsmanship. With the big picture in mind I don't like BYU's move. The non-football sports at BYU just took a big back seat to football (as usual), all so football team can have more money and exposure.....BYU's administration was short-sighted in their overconfidence in BYU football, especially in regards to the future of the non-major BYU sports.

Matt Chamberlain Salt Lake City " The only way I can see independence failing is if BYU turns out to be bad in football. As long as BYU continues to be good in football, I suspect going independent will be a huge success, both financially and also in exposure for BYU/LDS Church. They don't have to win all of their games, but they can't drop off the planet. Luckily, we have Bronco so I like our chances."Von RayEagle Mountain "I think most of the criticism of BYU's move to independence rests on the assumption that the Mountain West will remain a competitive conference going forward. I think BYU realizes that any additional expansion of the power conferences will almost surely rob the MWC of at least one of its remaining power teams, and any loss like that will cripple the MWC for good. I think further expansion is inevitable and will happen sooner rather than later, and whether it is TCU, Boise State, or BYU that gets the call, the effect on the Mountain West is the same, and it isn't promising for revenue or for exposure. By going independent now, BYU can secure better returns and visibility that will either persist through the next round of expansion, or fill the gap between now and a BCS conference invite (should it ever come). It is not an ideal solution, but it's the best option BYU has at the moment. Tim Vogeler New York City"I have an interesting take on the BYU move as I tend to lean slightly more toward basketball, I was originally quite concerned about the move as the WCC isn't necessarily a household name in basketball. But as I have thought more about it, I absolutely love the idea of Gonzaga having to come to Provo every year and experience the thunder of the Marriott Center. I hope Rose is on board and that it won't hurt our basketball recruiting. The nice thing about basketball is that the end of season results take care of themselves. With strong play, BYU can still reach it's basketball goals and make deep runs in March.Derek Cullimore Salt Lake CityBrief personal background - 1984 graduate; watched on church satellite for years; in 1998 quit job and sold house in Vancouver, WA and moved to Utah in order to see BYU football live and in person. Cougar Club member since moving here.Positives: In general, I like the idea of football independence. To be honest - I don't think BYU will ever make it to a national championship game because the talent is always going to limited to a certain extent by academic and honor code restrictions. I believe they do have the potential to make it to other BCS bowls. The WCC for other sports is very comparable to the MWC and in some respects better. I also am a season ticket holder to the #12 ranked women's soccer team. The WCC is far more competitive in women's soccer than the MWC. Basketball is more of a lateral move in conference, but I think ESPN will be able to broker games to get some top opponents to come to Provo. Also, the WCC cities to visit are WAY better than most MWC cities. I believe this will help recruiting for football, but probably not to the extent that many think. Negatives: I'm very concerned about the future of those sports that don't have a home in the WCC - in particular the softball team. They made it to super regionals this year and right now they are in limbo. I don't go to softball games, but it is still sad to see an improving and nationally competitive program have the rug pulled out from under it. The same goes for track teams that have dominated conference competition and placed numerous athletes into the NCAA finals. I think this change will definitely hurt recruiting for all other sports except football. Even basketball may have a harder time selling the program as a WCC member. On balance it was the move they had to make and I look forward to the change.Chris SternAmerican Fork, UT "I have 3 comments about the change in the BYU football. There is much that could be said about the other sports, but I am just going to focus on how this affects our most prominent sport. -First, I am in full support of our declaration of independence and believe that in every way this is a better option for our football team. There has been little address about our future in the BSC, and while it is still and uphill battle, this step is at least a step in the right direction instead of treading sand in the MWC. -Second, most every article I have read makes scheduling seems like the hardest task of being independent, but to me it seems like it won't be as bad as everyone makes it out to be. A large part of the hardness of scheduling over the last 5 years has been that we are in the MWC and no self-repsecting BSC team would want to play us because it is a lose-lose-lose situation. They lose if they beat us because they should have beaten us, so no big deal; they lose if they lose the game, and are the laughing stock of the BSC world, losing to a mid-major; and they doubly lose because either way they aren't seen on national TV. Now that they are guaranteed at least being seen on ESPN in Provo, and are playing a team probably viewed still below the BSC but above any mid-major team, scheduling teams that would have ignored us seems like it will be easier- evidence our first day of independence brings a SIX year agreement with Notre Dame. -Finally, despite the fact that I am unhappy that this a reason, all the U of U has in its football history is the past 5 years and its 2 BCS games. Its not so much that they didn't deserve their Pac 10 invite, but it is that BYU deserved it more. If the roles had been reversed, it would be more likely that Gordon Monson write an article I don't hate then Utah be able to go independent in football. This elevates us above them, and anyone who sees it differently is wrong.McKay LaskoFrom Longview, WA but currently live in Provo"BYU received a great deal of negative press over the independence issue. Claims have been made that it is BYUs fault that the MWC and the WAC conferences have been weakened or harmed by their move. These conferences, however, have been supported by the BYU pillar for many years. The current conference has been unwilling to address some of the most fundamental problems faced by all members of the conference. It is likely that disparities between BCS and non-BCS conferences will continue to create defections. BYU just happens to be in a position to do something about it and is forward looking enough to ensure their sports programs survive and thrive. The results of this move clearly show the relevance of the BYU brand in brokering significant deals and alignment with ESPN, WCC, Notre Dame, the WAC, etc. It is clearly as positive a move for BYU as Utah's move was to the PAC 10. Opportunities to play a new and diverse set of opponents makes the BYU brand all that more interesting.

Paul Russell Lindon"Independence for BYU football is great news. I've been waiting anxiously for several weeks to hear the announcement, and now that it's here I couldn't be more excited for the future of the program. At this point there was really no logical reason for BYU to stay in the MWC. Sure, Boise & TCU give the conference strength at the top, but even with those teams in the conference you still have to go undefeated to reach a BCS game. What does it matter whether BYU is playing a conference or independent schedule if they have to go undefeated to reach that goal? The advantages for going independent are awesome. Exposure, exposure, exposure: National exposure via ESPN. Worldwide exposure via BYUTV... National exposure via ESPN. While exposure is a great thing, so is access. For any fan that wants to find the game on TV, they can! It's great. Fans inside the state can watch without having to drive to a friends home who has the extended cable package. Fans living outside the state can forget about trying to set up some complicated Slingbox at their parents house in Utah just so they can catch the games remotely. We can all tune in to almost any basic satellite or cable provider and find ESPN and/or BYUTV. I see no negatives for going independent. Go Cougs!Jonathan AndersonFarmington, Utah