That's my girl!

My daughter Claire wrote this summary a few days ago on Cougar Board. She got the forth top post of the day on the day she wrote this (last Friday.)I think she should go into sports writing. Her analytical mind and writing skills would get the job done for any sports team. Way to go wowclaire! You haven't read all those copies of Sports Illustrated magazine for 20 of your 28 years for nothing!

Here's what she said:

Based on articles in the DesNews, SLTrib, and espn.com, as well as interviews and press conferences from Benson, Thompson, and Holmoe.
BYU was serious about and days away from going independent in football and joining the WAC for all other sports.
Fresno and Nevada pulled a fast one on BYU, the WAC, and Utah State when they reneged on their commitment to stay with the WAC.
BYU has, at least partially, scrapped that plan and is looking at other options.
The WAC still wants BYU, but BYU has given no sign either way.
The WCC wants BYU, but they have not heard back from BYU yet.
The MWC and C-USA have had discussions.
The MWC is willing to make some concessions to BYU, at least TV wise.
Harline is still open.

Postulations based on the above:
Thompson pulling Fresno and Nevada into the MWC has nothing to do with the TV contract and everything to do with ruining plans for BYU's potential independence. If BYU stays, it also makes the MWC that much worse.
Everyone (but Utah State, it seems) is looking out for their own interests - BYU, Thompson and the MWC, Comcast and the mtn, Fresno and Nevada, TCU and Boise, et al, and these interests frequently interfere with one another.
BYU is not too serious about joining the WCC in other sports as they have yet to return their calls. The WCC is a good fit basketball and location wise, as they cover a lot of area where Mormons and BYU fans live, but does not even have track and softball, among other mostly insignificant but still vital-to-BYU sports. Where do those sports go if BYU teams up with the WCC?
Holmoe and Samuelson better be as smart and savvy as we all think and hope they are.

The MWC was smart. BYU is vital to their continued future and Thompson foiled BYU's plans. While it seems that much momentum still exists for BYU to go football independent, the facts that their other sports programs have no where to land that fit as well as the now-depleted WAC would have, and that they may get some concessions in the TV department, hopefully with ESPN to broadcast at least home games, must ensure that BYU will stay in the MWC, at least for the foreseeable future. It's not the perfect solution, and it would be horrible if it meant BYU lost some leverage with ESPN in the future, but at this point it makes the most sense.