Everyone knew this was coming. The schedule was announced earlier in the year, so its not like it caught anyone by surprise. But now that's its here, I think the reality of it is sinking in. And its not a good feeling.
BYU is not exactly playing powerhouses at the end of its first year of football independence. When the fans looked at the schedule back in the spring and summer, they probably didn't suspect how bad it would be. To be playing the likes of Idaho, Idaho State, New Mexico State and Hawaii, with several bye weeks mixed in there, well, its just painful.
How can the administration expect fans to be excited about the program when the team is playing FCS teams, late in the year, late at night, in cold weather, with nothing at stake? Lots of fans stayed away last week, and they will probably stay away this week as well. I don't blame them. I wouldn't sit in a cold, snowy stadium to watch a team trash some opponent that is in way over their heads, with nothing to be gained. BYU is bowl eligible, and can look foward to a wonderful experience at the Armed Forces Bowl. That's it? That's the reward?
If BYU ends up joining the Big East, things will hopefully be better, although there is still no guarantee that the Big East will retain its AQ status. But it has to be better than this. And the Cougar fans deserve better than watching teams like New Mexico State in a snow storm with nothing at stake.
