THE BOTTOM LINE

THE BOTTOM LINE

-University of Utah Moving to the Pac-(TBD) Conference:
There’s been a lot of discussion and rumors regarding whether or not the Utes will be leaving the Mountain West Conference and joining the (currently named) Pac-10 Conference. There is a plethora of information to go through and analyze regarding this subject, but I’m just going to focus on the local implications such a move would have.

1. Recruiting: Right now, Utah is doing very well recruiting out of the Mountain West Conference. They currently only have two teams with whom they squabble over the top recruits coming to the conference-BYU and TCU. However, if they were to move to the Pacific Conference, they would have to recruit players away from the likes of USC, UCLA (both schools have a LOT more than great football to offer….like, say, beaches. Girls. Weather. The glitz and glammer of Hollywood.), Arizona State (notorious party school), and Oregon. Undoubtedly, by being a member of the Pacific Conference, the Utes would draw bigger talent than they currently do in the Mountain West, but they’d be taking only the players the “fun” schools (read: NOT in Salt Lake City) wouldn’t want. They’d be to the Pacific Conference what Colorado State currently is to the Mountain West.

2. While they’ll be able to “compete” in the Pac., they won’t necessary be a “winning” program. Certainly not the way they have been in the MWC. Meaning, the Utes will be trading games against Wyoming, New Mexico, SDSU, and UNLV for games against USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington, and Stanford. While I don’t perceive the Utes as being terrible in the Pacific Conf., I certainly don’t see them consistently winning the 9 or 10 games they have been producing in the MWC.

THE BOTTOM LINE: In the Pacific Conference, the University of Utah will be able to compete, but they won’t be King of the Hill anymore. Expect 8-4, 9-3 seasons consistently. They will be the Utah Jazz of the Pac. Conf.-competitive, but not elite.
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-How U of U Move to the Pacific Conference Would Effect BYU:
If in fact the Utes left the MWC (and BYU stayed), it would have drastic effects on the Cougars and their program. Here are the pros and cons for BYU if such a move were to occur:
PROS:
1.With Utah gone, BYU would only have one other school who could legitimately contend with them recruiting-wise: TCU. And let’s face it, while TCU is a good team coming off a great year, how long can they really expect to ride the BCS wave they enjoyed recently? BYU has the history and facilities needed to draw in the big recruits. TCU does not. The Cougars will benefit talent-wise from a Utah defection.
2.BYU would be the “BIG TICKET” in the MWC, much like Boise State is in the WAC. It will be the “BYU and Others” Conference. Boise State has been the nation’s darling for a long time, mostly because they play well in a mediocre conference, and show up when ESPN and ABC are watching. With no Utah to worry about, BYU would OWN the MWC.
3.Without Utah to go against, the MWC Title will be BYU’s every year for a long time to come. Sure, TCU will be a force to reckon with for another year, maybe two, but after that I really don’t see the Horned Frogs consistently winning double digit games. What’s a MWC Title worth, you might ask? Well, with the likes of who will be left in the conference, I’m assuming an MWC Title will also mean an undefeated season, which equals BCS attention.
CONS:
1. BYU will still be stuck in a conference full of crappy competition. This will not only mean less respect/value for victories, it will also mean loss of big time money as no one wants to pay to see San Diego State (change out for any other school in MWC) lose by 50 in Provo, Utah on a cold October Saturday.

2. BYU will still be stuck with crappy Mtn televison coverage. Trust me, in this day and age, TV coverage is EVERYTHING in college football. Don’t believe me? Look at the SEC, or the Pac10, or the Big East, even. They ALL have contracts with big time TV stations: ESPN, ABC, Fox, etc. What does the MWC have to offer? A road-show-esque production, run by nobodies, featuring irrelevant has-beens for talent, and broadcast with old USSR equipment. Sure, it’s on national reaching frequencies, but no one is tuning into The Mtn to see New Mexico take on Wyoming when they can see USC vs. Notre Dame on NBC.

3. Finally, BYU will still need to go undefeated in order to get some BCS love, while Utah will be in an automatic BCS conference. While the Cougars will likely be favored in every matchup they have in the MWC, an off week leading to a surprise/fluke loss to a cellar-dweller will shut down the season, whereas Utah could lose to BYU every year and still have a chance to show up in a BCS bowl because of their conference’s automatic bid.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Utah leaving BYU behind in the MWC would be less than an ideal situation for the Cougars. While they will indeed be the top dog in the conference, BYU will have ZERO competition to deal with. The rivalry may still be active, maybe even with a more bitter edge to it (what BYU fan wouldn’t relish a victory over a Utah team that would take away a potential Pacific Conference top-seeding?), it won’t have the Conference Title implications it seems to have year in and year out. BYU needs Utah to thrive, and without them I feel Provo will be even less of an “exciting” place to visit in the Fall.
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-Carlos Boozer: At Least He’s Not Terrell Owens
We all remember the circus that was Carlos Boozer last offseason. The tongue baths he gave every city/team whose radio monkeys would put him on the air was far less than appealing. He really made it easy to hate him. However, I just wanted to take a quick second and compare his mannerisms of last year to those he is portraying this year.
While last offseason Mr. Boozer could not even spell the word LOYALTY, this year is quite the opposite. In every interview he does he is quick to reference his desire to rejoin the Jazz, and calls them “his team” and uses grouping words such as “we, us, ours” when referring to both himself and the Jazz. AND THEY AREN’T EVEN HIS TEAM ANY MORE!!! He is politically correct, mature, and even loyal this time around when discussing his free agency plans. Everything a Jazz fan wanted from Carlos Boozer in the past, he is displaying currently.
Now, you may question whether or not he is being sincere or honest. That is more than fair, in my opinion. He’s never had the George Washington “I cannot tell a lie” persona. But let me say this: Remember how he left Cleveland high and dry to come to Utah? Well, so does Carlos Boozer. And so does his agent. They’re not idiots. They know that this offseason is the Year of the Prodigy, and Boozer is second-tier. So, he may be blowing smoke, but smoke is better than fire. Meaning, teams are more likely to sign him if he’s lovable. If their fan base can get behind him and fall in love with him, Carlos Boozer will provide his new team with profits.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Even if it’s cliché and cheesy, Boozer has in fact matured. He DOES know loyalty, and I may dare say he learned that when the Jazz refused to trade him last season. They remained LOYAL to the commitment they had made to Boozer. Also, last offseason Boozer was going through A LOT personally. His marriage was falling apart, and divorce looked imminent. But his personal life is now in order, and his marriage is “in a good place,”according to Carlos. While his actions and words may drip with insincerity, the way he is conducting himself THIS offseason is sure making it hard to have a case to still hate him.