Wednesday Waffle, 9/12/2012

Notre Dame to the ACC
In addition to moving basketball and Olympic sports to the ACC, Notre Dame is also promising to play 5 football games each year against ACC opponents.  Starting in 2014 and 2015, ND already had 4 games scheduled with the ACC, so it's not that big of a deal.

Now, BYU fans, here's why this matters.  BYU and ND currently have a 6-game series scheduled, commencing this season with 2013 and 2014 games set in stone.  This move limits the likelihood that ND will show up on any future schedules after this contract expires (not to mention the risk that ND will cancel some of the games in this series).

ND is schedule to play 5 ACC teams, USC, Stanford, Purdue, Michigan, and Navy annually.  The future of the Navy game is never in jeopardy: they will play Navy as the Irish consider it a debt of honor to play them.  Michigan and ND are taking a two-year hiatus in a few years, but they've inked a deal through 2031.  Purdue isn't going to turn down ND.  Michigan State has a deal with 3 two-year breaks scheduled through 2031.  The Pac 12 has made special considerations for USC and Stanford that they have not made for anyone else: so those series are probably going to continue.

This leaves about 3 games a year that BYU could show up in.  My guess is that unless this turns into a real intersectional rivalry, with hard-fought, aggravating results, BYU won't get another game with ND after this deal runs out.  As a future ND alum, I like the move.  As a current BYU alum, I think there's an almost certain negative fallout for BYU.

Jordan Wynn Injury and Retirement
Too bad for Jordan Wynn.  Although he probably picked a good time to get out.  2 of his 3 prior shoulder surgeries came as a result of injuries suffered against BYU.  Unfortunately for BYU, I think this is a mixed bag.  Jordan Wynn had a great second half against BYU in 2011, but who didn't, honestly?

But Jordan Wynn, when healthy, has struggled in most every other game he played the past two seasons.  BYU sure could use Wynn back there struggling again.  On the flip side, Jon Hays is an average QB that hasn't played many defenses as good as what BYU sports this season.  Travis Wilson is a true freshman.  He hasn't seen ANY defenses yet.  What BYU is getting is average QB play, though more dynamic running from the QBs.  What BYU is missing is potentially misplaced hope or overconfidence in a QB that may not be able to get the job done.

Ultimately, BYU is probably better off facing a combination of Hays and Wilson than Wynn.  I do put some blame on Wynn's injuries with a lack of coaching: he hasn't improved in his decision-making or audibles in three years.  BJ didn't do him any favors.  But I am waffling on whether his injury hurts or helps BYU today.