Miami Vices Spell Opportunity for BYU

BYU's decision to go independent couldn't have come at a more opportune time, that is, if you consider the troubles some teams are in, especially Miami. Miami, if even half of the allegations are true, may be punished enough that the ACC may consider changes. It could mean no quality football for 3-5 years, or more. What happens then? The door swings open to BYU to step in and take over games formerly held by Miami, perhaps even with the ACC as well as others. After all, with the SEC breathing down everyone’s neck, playing BYU on ESPN would be a great to replace a game with Miami.

Sanctions against Miami might not occur until the 2011 season is over. However 2012 will be a different story. Teams could be scrambling to fill a vacant spot in their schedule with a quality opponent who will fill their stands and coffers. Enter BYU and ESPN. 

BYU has a vacant spot on the 24th of November, that will be a Thanksgiving Saturday game, great for fans, that USF of the Big East might be interested in, especially after its win against Notre Dame. A nice game in Provo on ESPN could be just what USF needs for further recruiting and branding. 

But wait, there's more. BYU can drop from its schedule Idaho, New Mexico State and San Jose State from October 27th through November 17th. BYU has arrangements with those teams to drop them in favor of a higher caliber team if available. Enter the needs of Duke (remember Duke, you will be on ESPN), Virginia, NC State or even North Carolina. 

The gods of sport must certainly have had a hand in this opportunity as that kind of schedule combined with the developing Elite 11 five-star Quarterback Jake Heaps could spell an invite to the BCS, if BYU can win. 

But wait, there's more.

The 2012 schedule has BYU playing Oregon State, Hawaii, Utah, Boise State, Georgia Tech and Notre Dame also. If BYU can rise to the occasion in those games, combined with potential games Miami may vacate, how could the BCS keep BYU out of a BCS game? All you have to do is win, BYU.

Now, if you are a dreamer, and it seems people are dreaming quite big in Provo these days, just suppose you could win all of those games. Could 2012 be the year BYU gets a second championship game opportunity, and maybe a second championship?

Dare Cougar fans dream? BYU may need to only thank Miami for their vices, and opening a door no one else could have conceived of when BYU decided to go independent. Except someone at BYU, or Salt Lake City.