BYU to Big 12: Why the Move Would Make Sense for Everyone

If you thought this conference realignment news was going away anytime soon, you're sadly mistaken. Texas A&M has officially been accepted into the SEC and now the Big 12 is looking for teams to replace the Aggies.

One of those teams that is rumored to be atop the Big 12 wish list is BYU.

BYU has neither denied nor confirmed interest in joining the conference but they did release a statement.

“There is much speculation right now regarding conference affiliation that seems to change by the hour. Commenting on such conjecture is not productive and creates a distraction for our program. As we enter the 2011-12 athletic season, BYU is focused on the opportunities ahead. We are excited about our relationship with ESPN as a football independent and our affiliation with the West Coast Conference.”

If BYU can find out if the Big 12 is committed to staying together and Texas and Oklahoma have no plans to jump ship, BYU should hop on board.

This would help BYU become what they have wanted for a while now: a big-time university that can compete every season for a BCS berth and possibly a national championship.

It would also give them more exposure as they play better competition in a Big 12 conference schedule. BYU has a solid football program right now but it's hard to take them seriously when they're playing teams like Utah State and San Jose State. Even if they play the lower tier teams in the Big 12 it would make a much more appealing schedule than the one they currently have.

This would also excite a strong fan base that deserves to see competitive games and games that mean something at the end of the season.

Sure, BYU would probably take a loss as far as money is concerned since they signed a TV contract with ESPN. But the positives much outweigh the negatives. 

This would be a win for the program, the fans and the Big 12 conference that just a couple weeks ago looked like it was going to fold or expand with the watered down Big East.

If BYU gets an invite from the Big 12 they must accept.

It just makes sense for everyone.