teams didn't bite (errr...Texas didn't bite and bring a following)...yet the invitation to the BIGXII schools had been extended.

Colorado is/was more than happy to jump ship for various reasons and said "THANK YOU VERY MUCH!" while the presidents of the PAC10 stand around scratching their heads wondering why they ended up with CU out of the whole thing when they were supposed to get Texas and a BUNCH of eyeballs from the coup.

Enter the official invite to the Yewts. Sure, you have them as a fallback plan, you pitch it that they bring the SLC market, just like you pitch that CU brings the Denver market (because after all, first and foremost this is about MONEY), and as a fallback plan, that's not bad, right?

Well, fallback plans can't have a lot of strings attached, so why on earth would you go after BYU over Yewtah when Yewtah has been to two BCS games in the past decade and doesn't have a bunch of religious overtones and caveats and scruples? YOU WOULDN'T AND THEY DIDN'T. It's that simple.

Don't argue that Yewtah is the better athletic program. It's not. Not top to bottom, and you know it. Don't argue it's more recognizable. It's not, and you know it. Don't argue Yewtah will fill more seats week in and week out or turn on more TVs because you know it's simply not true. At the end of the day though, it DOESN'T matter because the PAC10 forgot what the decision was about first and foremost and went with the path of least resistance when inviting Yewtah - they forgot that it's about the MONEY. That's why this is a GREAT deal for Yewtah and a "not as great deal" for the PAC10 relative to what could've been had things been kept in perspective, IMO. Would the addition of BYU be worth the headache for the ADs to have to deal with in regards to issues relating to Sunday play, liberalism, etc? It would appear not...but ESPN seems to think BYU is a fantastic investment in and of itself and that, as they say, is that.

I think BYU, being proactive, has put themselves in a pretty good position to control their own brand and destiny. They are not really beholden to anyone. ESPN is a partner, not a master...they have the ability to essentially write their own check if they continue to do what they do best, just be BYU.

People confuse the invitation of Yewtah to the PAC10 and the strength of/comparison of athletic programs with BYU as the same thing. It's misguided to do so, and if you're honest with yourselves, you know it.