[Hank 91]

BYU sites are currently chewing on a rumored series agreement between Stanford and BYU starting in 2020, possibly three games spaced out over five years. Apparently it was the Utah AD who started this swirling when he mentioned that he was having difficulty scheduling the BYU rivalry game because of BYU's recent agreements with USC and Stanford. It would be interesting. Here's one of many links:

http://www.vanquishthefoe.com/byu-footba...chris-hill

[Hank 91]

BYU sites are currently chewing on a rumored series agreement between Stanford and BYU starting in 2020, possibly three games spaced out over five years. Apparently it was the Utah AD who started this swirling when he mentioned that he was having difficulty scheduling the BYU rivalry game because of BYU's recent agreements with USC and Stanford. It would be interesting. Here's one of many links:

http://www.vanquishthefoe.com/byu-footba...chris-hill

[washingtonismoney]

A series is an agreement between two schools for a game, and another game, and another game, and another game ...

[washingtonismoney]

A series is an agreement between two schools for a game, and another game, and another game, and another game ...

[Bruce Wang]

A worthy opponent, but we get enough exposure to Utah from the Pac-12 and already have a high profile with the Mormon community.  I'd prefer to see more games against good academic schools in other parts of the country where we could use the recruiting exposure.  Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, and UT-Austin come to mind.

[Bruce Wang]

A worthy opponent, but we get enough exposure to Utah from the Pac-12 and already have a high profile with the Mormon community.  I'd prefer to see more games against good academic schools in other parts of the country where we could use the recruiting exposure.  Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, and UT-Austin come to mind.

[oman]

I tend to agree about focusing on games in areas that would help us with exposure/recruiting.  Not so much worried about the academic orientation of those schools. 

I wouldn't mind an excuse to go spend a weekend in Nashville, but I'd rather go brave the mean drunks in Baton Rouge.

[oman]

I tend to agree about focusing on games in areas that would help us with exposure/recruiting.  Not so much worried about the academic orientation of those schools. 

I wouldn't mind an excuse to go spend a weekend in Nashville, but I'd rather go brave the mean drunks in Baton Rouge.

[needle]

BYU is now a football independent, so they face a lot of challenges in finding opponents.

Interesting in the comments that some are speculating that one of the games could take place in Santa Clara.

[needle]

BYU is now a football independent, so they face a lot of challenges in finding opponents.

Interesting in the comments that some are speculating that one of the games could take place in Santa Clara.

[FarmBoy]

I personally enjoy games against BYU. They provide good fodder for the band (marriage is the sacred institution between a man and a woman and another woman and...), they have a national following (yes, Virginia, there are Mormons outside of Utah) and their fans are friendly folk who will definitely sell tickets if the game is held before school starts. I personally think they would have been a better addition to the Pac12 than the U of U, but understand why the administrators didn't want to get aligned with a religious institution (although I doubt they would have had trouble with that aspect if Notre Dame had been on the table.)

I'm hoping it happens. 

[FarmBoy]

I personally enjoy games against BYU. They provide good fodder for the band (marriage is the sacred institution between a man and a woman and another woman and...), they have a national following (yes, Virginia, there are Mormons outside of Utah) and their fans are friendly folk who will definitely sell tickets if the game is held before school starts. I personally think they would have been a better addition to the Pac12 than the U of U, but understand why the administrators didn't want to get aligned with a religious institution (although I doubt they would have had trouble with that aspect if Notre Dame had been on the table.)

I'm hoping it happens. 

[TreeWeird]

Interesting in the comments that some are speculating that one of the games could take place in Santa Clara.

If there is a game at the 49ers stadium in Santa Clara, I hope it is a "neutral" site game paired with a home game at Stanford.  As a San Jose resident, I am delighted the niners will be in Santa Clara, but I have no desire to see Stanford play there unless it is in lieu of what would otherwise be an away game.  The niners' stadium will no doubt be lovely and have great amenities, but nothing beats a game on campus.

[TreeWeird]

Interesting in the comments that some are speculating that one of the games could take place in Santa Clara.

If there is a game at the 49ers stadium in Santa Clara, I hope it is a "neutral" site game paired with a home game at Stanford.  As a San Jose resident, I am delighted the niners will be in Santa Clara, but I have no desire to see Stanford play there unless it is in lieu of what would otherwise be an away game.  The niners' stadium will no doubt be lovely and have great amenities, but nothing beats a game on campus.

[pincemob]

BYU is a poor choice for an opponent in my opinion.  I would speculate they will bring a lot of fans to the game at Stanford, whereas we will send virtually none to Provo.  It will be a big game for them, with only downside for us.  Don't get it. 

My non-conference scheduling principles would be:  play one traditionally strong opponent, one doormat, and one rotating winnable "wild card" from a good conference preferably in a recruiting hot-bet and/or interesting fan/alum destination.    As long as ND is on the schedule, I see no reason to load up with another traditional power.  SJSU fills the doormat role (though I would prefer a doormat without a "little brother" motivation).  Some candidates I would throw out for #3 would be Virginia, Miami, BC, SMU, Illinois, Hawaii. 

Just my 2 cents. 

[pincemob]

BYU is a poor choice for an opponent in my opinion.  I would speculate they will bring a lot of fans to the game at Stanford, whereas we will send virtually none to Provo.  It will be a big game for them, with only downside for us.  Don't get it. 

My non-conference scheduling principles would be:  play one traditionally strong opponent, one doormat, and one rotating winnable "wild card" from a good conference preferably in a recruiting hot-bet and/or interesting fan/alum destination.    As long as ND is on the schedule, I see no reason to load up with another traditional power.  SJSU fills the doormat role (though I would prefer a doormat without a "little brother" motivation).  Some candidates I would throw out for #3 would be Virginia, Miami, BC, SMU, Illinois, Hawaii. 

Just my 2 cents. 

[terry]

My non-conference scheduling principles would be:  play one traditionally strong opponent, one doormat, and one rotating winnable "wild card" from a good conference preferably in a recruiting hot-bet and/or interesting fan/alum destination.    As long as ND is on the schedule, I see no reason to load up with another traditional power.  SJSU fills the doormat role (though I would prefer a doormat without a "little brother" motivation).  Some candidates I would throw out for #3 would be Virginia, Miami, BC, SMU, Illinois, Hawaii. 

That's not too different from what we've been doing. The rotating third opponent has been North Carolina (1997-98), Texas (1999-00), Boston College (2001-02), BYU (2003-04), Navy (2005-06), TCU (2007-08), Wake Forest (2009-10), Duke (2011-12), Army (2013-14), Northwestern (2015-16), Virginia (2017-18), Northwestern (2019-22).

San Jose State is on the schedule through this year. It's not clear who will fill the "doormat" slot after that. We do have Rice on the schedule in 2016-17, probably in the doormat slot, though I think we have to travel to Rice for one of the games, which isn't ideal. The doormat game should always be a home game.

NotreDame is on the schedule through 2019.

It's not clear how BYU fits into the schedule in 2020 and later. I don't know whether BYU will replace NotreDame or San Jose State. They don't really fit in either category. . .

[terry]

My non-conference scheduling principles would be:  play one traditionally strong opponent, one doormat, and one rotating winnable "wild card" from a good conference preferably in a recruiting hot-bet and/or interesting fan/alum destination.    As long as ND is on the schedule, I see no reason to load up with another traditional power.  SJSU fills the doormat role (though I would prefer a doormat without a "little brother" motivation).  Some candidates I would throw out for #3 would be Virginia, Miami, BC, SMU, Illinois, Hawaii. 

That's not too different from what we've been doing. The rotating third opponent has been North Carolina (1997-98), Texas (1999-00), Boston College (2001-02), BYU (2003-04), Navy (2005-06), TCU (2007-08), Wake Forest (2009-10), Duke (2011-12), Army (2013-14), Northwestern (2015-16), Virginia (2017-18), Northwestern (2019-22).

San Jose State is on the schedule through this year. It's not clear who will fill the "doormat" slot after that. We do have Rice on the schedule in 2016-17, probably in the doormat slot, though I think we have to travel to Rice for one of the games, which isn't ideal. The doormat game should always be a home game.

NotreDame is on the schedule through 2019.

It's not clear how BYU fits into the schedule in 2020 and later. I don't know whether BYU will replace NotreDame or San Jose State. They don't really fit in either category. . .

[fullmetal]

I think Rice in 2016 is the away game.  Rest assured they will remain doormats.  But we'll round up the Stanford/Austin alumni to color the stands cardinal anyway.

[fullmetal]

I think Rice in 2016 is the away game.  Rest assured they will remain doormats.  But we'll round up the Stanford/Austin alumni to color the stands cardinal anyway.

[Hank 91]

According to FBSSchedules.com, the sites of the Rice games have yet to be determined.
http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/pac-10/s...rdinal.php

[Hank 91]

According to FBSSchedules.com, the sites of the Rice games have yet to be determined.
http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa/pac-10/s...rdinal.php

[OutsiderFan]

How about Idaho and New Mexico State as doormats?  They are both now independents and would probably kill to get Stanford on the schedule.

As for the 3rd one, I think Stanford is doing fine with the recent choices, but should seriously consider two doormats from this point forward.

Already having Oregon, USC, UCLA, and ND on the schedule every year, plus always tough Oregon State, and Washington, not to mention Cal, it's just suicide to go with another quality OOC program.  Even Northwestern might be too good.

Stanford's schedule is tougher than Alabama's this year and was last year too.  Now with a conference championship game that will more than likely feature USC or UCLA in it every year and make Stanford play these teams twice, the objective should be to win the North as a path to a playoff berth.  If Alabama can play Georgia State and Chatanooga, Stanford can play Idaho and New Mexico State.

[OutsiderFan]

How about Idaho and New Mexico State as doormats?  They are both now independents and would probably kill to get Stanford on the schedule.

As for the 3rd one, I think Stanford is doing fine with the recent choices, but should seriously consider two doormats from this point forward.

Already having Oregon, USC, UCLA, and ND on the schedule every year, plus always tough Oregon State, and Washington, not to mention Cal, it's just suicide to go with another quality OOC program.  Even Northwestern might be too good.

Stanford's schedule is tougher than Alabama's this year and was last year too.  Now with a conference championship game that will more than likely feature USC or UCLA in it every year and make Stanford play these teams twice, the objective should be to win the North as a path to a playoff berth.  If Alabama can play Georgia State and Chatanooga, Stanford can play Idaho and New Mexico State.

[Bruce Wang]

The rationale for playing the other good academics schools is that a) they are usually doormats (Vanderbilt and Northwestern not so much anymore), b) many of us have lots of friends that went to these schools, and c) get exposure to recruits that are thinking about going to good schools.  Given that we recruit nationally, we should and do rotate through the country: Texas (Rice), Midwest (Northwestern), South (UVA, Duke, Wake), Northeast (BC, Army).  So we generally are doing this, and I dislike it when we deviate from this pattern.  This is why BYU is a bad idea.

[Bruce Wang]

The rationale for playing the other good academics schools is that a) they are usually doormats (Vanderbilt and Northwestern not so much anymore), b) many of us have lots of friends that went to these schools, and c) get exposure to recruits that are thinking about going to good schools.  Given that we recruit nationally, we should and do rotate through the country: Texas (Rice), Midwest (Northwestern), South (UVA, Duke, Wake), Northeast (BC, Army).  So we generally are doing this, and I dislike it when we deviate from this pattern.  This is why BYU is a bad idea.

[needle]

As a fan, I've always really liked the San Jose State series (I might be the only one, I know). I just think it's important to support Bay Area football (without supporting Kal), and the Bill Walsh tie is a little bit compelling also. There's just a lot of football history there.

While I still would like to see Stanford play San Jose State pretty much every year, I thought it was most important when San Jose State football was really, really struggling (with pretty much everything). Somehow, San Jose State lucked into joining the Mountain West, which should help them tremendously. I suspect going forward, the success of San Jose State football will be more about how they fare against those Mountain West teams, so the series with Stanford is probably less important.

I do like to think that the Stanford series served as sort of a lifeline for San Jose State football during the darkest years. Anybody know if there's any truth to that?

[needle]

As a fan, I've always really liked the San Jose State series (I might be the only one, I know). I just think it's important to support Bay Area football (without supporting Kal), and the Bill Walsh tie is a little bit compelling also. There's just a lot of football history there.

While I still would like to see Stanford play San Jose State pretty much every year, I thought it was most important when San Jose State football was really, really struggling (with pretty much everything). Somehow, San Jose State lucked into joining the Mountain West, which should help them tremendously. I suspect going forward, the success of San Jose State football will be more about how they fare against those Mountain West teams, so the series with Stanford is probably less important.

I do like to think that the Stanford series served as sort of a lifeline for San Jose State football during the darkest years. Anybody know if there's any truth to that?

[81alum]

During the civil rights movement BYU became the target of many boycotts and protests by players of other football teams due to the LDS's prohibition against African Americans becoming church leaders (since changed).  The most famous incident was the "Black 14" protest which devastated the Wyoming football team for years.

http://www.sltrib.com/byucougars/ci_13728556

San Jose State had actually started the boycotts against BYU.  Tony Jackson led a group of African American SJSU players who refused to play in the 1968 BYU game.  The players thought they would lose their scholarships over the incident, so it was a very serious decision for 18-21 year old students from mostly poor backgrounds to take.  Jackson, by the way, went on to become a Marine Corps general.  He was the SJSU commencement speaker a few years back.

Memories of these events kept diverse, inclusive schools like Stanford away from BYU for a long time.  I have a fuzzy recollection that Bill Walsh--always very conscious of issues related to race in sports--nixed talk of a BYU game. 

The LDS church has changed a number of its policies, and BYU's past civil rights incidents have been largely forgotten.  The work of sociologist Darron Smith (who is black and Mormon), however, has reawakened the spectre of racism at BYU.  I can't vouch for him one way or the other other than to note that BYU apparently fired him.  For what it is worth, here is an editorial discussing his analysis of race at BYU and the case of recruit Jabari Parker:

http://arewomenhuman.me/2011/04/28/race-...revisited/
and here is his site:
http://www.darronsmith.com/

Whether you buy into Smith's current critique of BYU, there is the obvious conflict between Stanford's inclusive policies on sexual orientation and those of the LDS church, which operates BYU.  Before now gay college football players have generally not disclosed, but by 2020 I would guess that they will be mostly out.  This could set up similar conflicts and incidents as occurred with African American players in 1968-70.

I think a BYU game would be a mistake.

[81alum]

During the civil rights movement BYU became the target of many boycotts and protests by players of other football teams due to the LDS's prohibition against African Americans becoming church leaders (since changed).  The most famous incident was the "Black 14" protest which devastated the Wyoming football team for years.

http://www.sltrib.com/byucougars/ci_13728556

San Jose State had actually started the boycotts against BYU.  Tony Jackson led a group of African American SJSU players who refused to play in the 1968 BYU game.  The players thought they would lose their scholarships over the incident, so it was a very serious decision for 18-21 year old students from mostly poor backgrounds to take.  Jackson, by the way, went on to become a Marine Corps general.  He was the SJSU commencement speaker a few years back.

Memories of these events kept diverse, inclusive schools like Stanford away from BYU for a long time.  I have a fuzzy recollection that Bill Walsh--always very conscious of issues related to race in sports--nixed talk of a BYU game. 

The LDS church has changed a number of its policies, and BYU's past civil rights incidents have been largely forgotten.  The work of sociologist Darron Smith (who is black and Mormon), however, has reawakened the spectre of racism at BYU.  I can't vouch for him one way or the other other than to note that BYU apparently fired him.  For what it is worth, here is an editorial discussing his analysis of race at BYU and the case of recruit Jabari Parker:

http://arewomenhuman.me/2011/04/28/race-...revisited/
and here is his site:
http://www.darronsmith.com/

Whether you buy into Smith's current critique of BYU, there is the obvious conflict between Stanford's inclusive policies on sexual orientation and those of the LDS church, which operates BYU.  Before now gay college football players have generally not disclosed, but by 2020 I would guess that they will be mostly out.  This could set up similar conflicts and incidents as occurred with African American players in 1968-70.

I think a BYU game would be a mistake.