and everyone is entitled to say what they want. After reading this post I thought to myself, I'm not understanding something here, there seems to have been disjointed points in the thread. So, with that said, let me try my best to understand or at least articulate what I understood after reading this post...

For clarity, I will keep my answers in line with what IrishCooga (known in this thread as IC) wrote. In NO way am I discrediting this post, I'm simply posting what I know from personal experience.

Hi all, frequent reader, rarely post.

IC: I have been very, very amused reading all of the speculation and flat-out guessing occurring on this board. I am amazed that so many of you are still listening to the same "pundits" and "sources" that have been so wrong about so many things in the past.

H57: Echo chamber. This has been repeated since earlier this year....media, in some form or fashion is repeating it with no new "news". Not difficult by any measure to fully understand that the media have no idea what is going on and they themselves are asking B12 and BYU saying hey, what IS really going on. For ANY media source over the past few days say anything MEANS something is being discussed.

IC: I will give you the update that you all have been foaming at the mouth to receive. We (BYU) are as Tom Holmoe said; not at the table. There are currently no lines of communication open between the Big 12 and the BYU athletic department or any entity within BYU or the church. Furthermore, the feedback that BYU has received (mostly through the media) is that the Big 12 has placed expansion on the back burner.

H57: By all standards of discussions (expansion is a major topic) discussions DO happen. They happen because 1. Parties are involved and 2. Because parties are involved it takes planning to move that ship on a new course. That takes time..something of this magnitude NEVER switches on a dime...never has, never will.  To say that BYU athletic department as of the past three days haven't been in discussion (at any informal or formal) discussion goes against everything BYU does or will continue to do for various projects (no matter how small or how large). To me, this simply doesn't pass the smell test.

BoT doesn't need to meet with the B12 because BoT knows Kevin and his staff will handle all concerns/issues that arrive. WHY? Because BoT gave BYU AD folks complete control of any and all discussions. Like any good leadersthip, there are flowing conversations to BoT, but BoT won't have restless nights...they KNOW BYU folks have this under control...There is a TRUST there that works, then, now and in the future.

IC: Yes, expansion is on the agenda of items to be discussed at the upcoming Big 12 meetings, but so are many other items.

H57: B12 talks already happened. They happened months ago. B12 decided to play a 10 team round robin championship game...(most idiotic thing B12 could do), but that will be for 2016. Really comes down to other P5 conferences performing better on the field as to keeping B12 teams reaching the CFP. B12 main goal, get CFP monies. In order for that to happen, or have a much better success rate compared to other P5 schools, then B12 HAS to ensure at least ONE of the teams in the B12 will get to the CFP. IF B12 can't do that with the existing vote of Round robin game, then expect changes...it's that simple.

The MOST important agenda item for the B12 is making sure they get a piece of the CFB funds. That is BEST served with expansion(and really the only long term answer).

IC: BYU knows nothing, and has been told nothing, about any kind of "straw poll" or formal vote (again, there is zero communication between these two groups). No one in the athletic department is holding their breath, and in fact, most don't anticipate any good news on the P5 conference expansion front now or in the foreseeable future.

H57: BYU knows plenty and has known plenty for a while. B12 formal vote or Quroum vote is a mere formality. That happens on the last day of the B12 media day, which is 19July2016. Media knows it, BYU knows it. You know it. Why you are saying otherwise is just odd. I would venture that BYU would be overjoyed about the strong possiblity of changes coming 19July. Why? Because, like it has been said last year and earlier this year. P5 monies provide financial coverage for all 23 BYU sports. From that fundamental thought to complete finish, BYU won't or hasn't put other entities (ownership of properties, depts, etc) at financial jeporday.  BYU knows, funds dedicated from P5 entrance and particaption will be used  to shore up multiple projects on dock (from complete redo's, maintance, etc). Shorter answer: It takes A LOT OF funds to sustain (be in the black) sporting events. ONLY long term solution is through P5 access. TV related incomes, including tier showings bring in revenue. For BYU, that is more gravy as BYUtv (completed OWNED and operated in the black) for BYU sporting EVENTS, not just football BUT every BYU sporting option.

IC: In fact, a growing consensus within the athletic department is that we will never get into a P5 conference (as presently constituted), and that more effort needs to be put into making long-term contingency plans for remaining a relevant independent. I will end by saying I know this because of a close relative within the athletic department.

H57: Will be interesting to see what happens 5-10 years down the road with P5 conferences. More likely than not, changes or tweaks so more conferences can get P5 TV monies. BYU can survive Independence, but at a much lesser income clip than within a P5 conference. Like anything LDS church touches they expect goals are met: Be self sustaining in all you dealings. Be in the black and be financially sound and fiscally responsible. BYU does that quite well.

IC: Please, do not be disappointed when next Tuesday comes and goes. I can assure you that nothing positive will happen for BYU next week from a conference expansion standpoint. Also, for those who seem to be continually in denial, please know that there is much more that I am unable to share that I have learned that has me 99.99% positive that no invite will come now, or in the foreseeable future. If all of you knew what I know, there would be no more discussion about BYU getting into a P5 conference. I wish this weren't true. I am as much a fan as any of you. However, I am not wrong. Sorry.

H57: I'm hopeful positive things come from BYU next week...only because of what I previously said in this thread. One thing I've appreciated is cander discussions and cander responses. I wish you all the best IC.