The man who built BYU into a national power preferred seeing the Cougars in a conference, where they’d always played.

But after hearing the rationale and seeing what followed Wednesday’s announcement – deals with Notre Dame, Texas and ESPN – Edwards called the move a gamble with a lot of upside.

“They’ve got a series with Notre Dame, with Texas, an eight-year deal with ESPN, they’ve got a chance to make it work,” said Edwards, who won 257 games in 29 years in Provo and led the Cougars to the 1984 national title.

“It’s still going to be a real struggle scheduling,” he continued. “And not playing in a conference, if you get off to a slow start that creates a bit of a problem. Before you were still in the hunt for a conference championship. They’re going to have to approach things from a different perspective.

“I had it explained to me what they were attempting to do, and I can appreciate where they’re coming from and why they decided to do it,” Edwards said. “It’s a gamble, no question about it. It has some downside, but I think the upside is going to be greater if they can pull it off.”

Edwards said BYU did its due diligence before notifying the Mountain West Conference on Wednesday it will become a football independent and join the West Coast Conference in all other sports starting in 2011-12.

“It wasn’t a knee-jerk decision,” he said.

Edwards was especially glad about the six-game series BYU will play against Notre Dame through 2020.

“It will be great,” he said. “There’s a lot of similarity between the two schools. They’re both faith-based, both great institutions. They’ve had good football at both places. It’s a good fit.”

Athletic director Tom Holmoe said the decision came down to “access and exposure.” As an independent, BYU can put together a national schedule and won’t have to share its television money. The Cougars also will keep all revenues they earn from bowl games.

Who cares? College football fans are starving right now.

Plus, the opening slate isn’t as bad as it sounds. There are enough enticing matchups to get the juices flowing. Will Dave Wannstedt legitimize Pittsburgh’s preseason hype with a win at Utah Thursday? Who wins Saturday night’s showcase games, North Carolina vs. LSU and Oregon State vs. TCU? And, of course, the Labor Day showdown between Boise State and Virginia Tech has major BCS implications.

But for every one of those tasty treats, there are five rather bland matchups involving overmatched FCS team. Twenty-three teams from BCS conferences will host an FCS school this week.

Let’s not lament the opening weekend’s lack of depth, though. Instead, let’s see we what we can learn from on-paper mismatches.

Numerous national championship contenders, including the top four, Alabama, Ohio State, Florida and Texas, find themselves in exactly those kinds of matchups.  The defending champs host San Jose State, a team that went 2-10 last season. The Buckeyes open against Marshall, which won a bowl game last season, but is breaking in new coach Doc Holliday. Florida hosts Miami (OH), 1-11 in 2009, and Texas heads to Rice, 2-10 in 2009.

Face it – the Tide, Buckeyes, Gators and ‘Horns can name the score. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be signs inside these projected blowouts; signs that show just how legitimate of contenders these teams are.

Former Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry and Washington head coach Don James, two members of the Legends Poll, agree that you can still learn a lot about a team in a game where they’re clearly superior in talent.

“Hopefully, you can answer some questions about some questionable areas of your team,” said DeBerry. “But you don’t want to develop any kind of false sense of security.”

DeBerry and James said you’re looking for organization, execution and discipline. National champions don’t continually false start. They don’t have trouble getting the snap off, and they’re not blowing assignments in the secondary.

They do, however, dominate inferior competition.

Alabama whacked Florida International, North Texas and Chattanooga by an average of 39 points last season. In 2008, Florida hammered Hawaii and the Citadel by an average of 48 points. The most points any eventual BCS National Champion has allowed against a non-BCS opponent is 17. Ohio State thumped Kent State 51-14 on their way to winning the 2003 BCS title.

Any of the big dogs that struggle this week, it’s probably safe to scratch them off your title contender list.

Which was fitting.

Because MacPherson was there when it all began.

Coach Mac was a Denver assistant when the Broncos drafted Little sixth overall in 1967, in the first common AFL-NFL draft. MacPherson saw firsthand how one man can rescue a franchise, change a city’s fortunes.

“He did a great public relations job, got us a new stadium,” recalled MacPherson, who would go on to coach Little’s alma mater, Syracuse.

“When we went there, [head coach] Lou Saban told us one night at dinner, ‘Don’t anybody buy a home.’”

The Broncos were rumored to be moving to Birmingham, Chicago, or elsewhere. Playing with unrivaled passion – he was the smallest back to lead the league in rushing since before World War II – Little attracted legions of fans who eventually approved the expansion of Mile High Stadium.

“Being from New Haven, he was dreaming of going to the New York Jets. Then he has to go to Denver, which is the pits of the AFL at the time,” MacPherson said. “We played in a minor-league baseball park. The coaches were in a quonset hut for an office. That’s the kind of shape we were in.

“But from the moment he got there, he became a salesman. We were able to take good care of Floyd, and he paid us back in spades.

“He saved the franchise and look what happened to it,” MacPherson added, referring to a string of sellouts that continues today. “It’s a great story. It’s a Floyd Little story. To his death, Lou Saban would say, ‘He’s the guy who made the difference.’”

Like many, MacPherson can’t fathom why it took 35 years for Little to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Little retired in 1975 as the 7^th-leading rusher in NFL history. He also was an outstanding receiver, kick returner and blocker. Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Ham called Little “the most complete back I ever played against.”

“The mystery was why he wasn’t in before,” MacPherson said.

Their relationship grew stronger in 1981 when MacPherson took over at Syracuse. MacPherson suspects Little helped get him the job. Coach “Mac” was a Cleveland Browns assistant when he got the offer.

“There was no application – they called me,” said MacPherson, a Maine native who jumped at the opportunity.

In leading the Orangemen to a 66-46-4 mark, including 11-0-1 in 1987, MacPherson relied heavily on the tradition established by Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, and Little, a three-time All-American.

“I had Floyd talk to my team five times, whenever he came in,” MacPherson said. “He was there whenever we needed anything. He loved Syracuse for what it did for him. Plus his daughter came to school there, and I was looking out for her.

“That was the nice thing about the Hall of Fame ceremony. There were people from [his childhood in] Connecticut, Denver Broncos people, Syracuse people.

“Once you meet Floyd Little, it’s amazing how he makes you feel like you’ve always known him. That’s a very special guy.”

Top-10 teams. East vs. West. National championship implications.

Now that’s the way to open a season.

When Boise State and Virginia Tech clash Sept. 6 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. (8 p.m, ESPN), Legends Poll member Bobby Ross will be there scouting these BCS title contenders.

“The winner immediately thrusts themselves into the title picture but the loser is still not out of it,” said Ross, who led Georgia Tech to the 1990 national title and the San Diego Chargers to the Super Bowl following the 1994 season.

“The winner goes right to the top of the BCS almost immediately.”

Unlike many powerhouses who tune up for conference play with cupcakes, Virginia Tech and Boise State have shown a willingness to open against like competition. Tech faced eventual national champ Alabama in last year’s Chick-fil-A kickoff in Atlanta, while Boise hosted Oregon, which went on to win the Pac-10.

“Virginia Tech likes to find out where they are as a ballclub real quickly,” Ross said. “Both teams are used to [season-opening showdowns]. They know what has to be done to get prepared.”

Coach Ross gives us his matchups to watch:

Tech’s inexperienced defense vs. Boise’s multiple shifts, formations

The Hokies have seven new starters on defense. And the unit’s signal-caller, inside linebacker Barquell Rivers, is out with a torn quadriceps. His replacement, sophomore Bruce Taylor, is making his first start.

“The Hokies’ defense is very young and very talented, lots of good athletes, but Boise’s offense will give them problems not only with who they’ve got. There’s a lot of movement to their offense and it has a purpose. How is Tech going to adjust to the motion, the shifting, the unusual formations?

“They’re trying to get an advantage numerically at the line of scrimmage, or they’re trying to create a mismatch [on the outside]. And when you throw in the trick plays they come up with, it just adds to the adjustment problems Virginia Tech will have.

“When you start having to think, it slows down your movement. You lose your intensity. Is Tech ready? Bruce Taylor can get ‘em into the right [alignment], but the young players have to adjust. That’s very big.”

Boise’s defensive front vs. Tyrod Taylor

“Can the front seven keep him in the pocket, in the net? That’s huge.

“Some people have got Taylor the fifth-best QB in the ACC – I can’t imagine that. That kid has made such improvement in his throwing, his touch, but he’s still a tremendous scrambler. All you’ve got to do is ask Nebraska about that. They lost the game on two plays in which he scrambled.”

For those who don’t remember, Taylor threw an 81-yard completion, then an 11-yard touchdown with 21 seconds left, to beat Nebraska 16-15 last year. On the game-winner, Taylor escaped defenders for nearly 10 seconds.

“The thing about him is he keeps his vision downfield. That’s changed a lot. And his throwing ability has changed too, for the better.”

Special teams

Playmakers abound.

Boise’s Titus Young took back two kickoffs for touchdowns last year. Tech’s Dyrell Roberts averaged 32 yards per kickoff return, third-best in the nation, and Jayron Hosley returned a punt for a score.

Boise boasts a senior placekicker and punter, Kyle Brotzman, who should be calm under Tech’s rush.

“Boise cannot give Tech any big plays in the kicking game. The big plays they’re able to create in the return game, or with a blocked kick, are a very big emotional thing for Virginia Tech.”

In 283 games under Coach Frank Beamer, the Hokies have blocked 128 kicks.

“When it happens, it ignites their football team and their crowd, and they’re going to have the better crowd by a long shot. Frank is the guy who coaches it, and they do a great job. It’s amazing the things they’ve done in the kicking game.”

Harassing Kellen Moore

“The Hokies have just one starter returning on the defensive line, but they’re very talented. They’re going to have to get good pressure. When you get a passer like that, the only thing that works is pressure.”

Moore threw for more than 3,500 yards last year, with an incredible 39-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’s a career 67 percent passer.

“He is without a doubt one of the most accurate passers I’ve ever seen. He’s very calm, very poised, just a heck of an accurate quarterback.

In addition to the quarterbacks, Coach Ross said he’s excited to get a first-hand look at…

Boise WR Austin Pettis: “He’s a tall kid who runs well, has very long arms, excellent hands. Great route runner.” The 6-3 senior caught 14 TDs last season.

Tech RB Ryan Williams: “That kid is special. The most explosive kid I’ve seen in a long time. Great vision, runs really tough, with power. He’s got the whole package.” Williams ran for 1,655 yards and 22 scores last year.

Tech CB Jayron Hosley: The sophomore is expected to start at field corner opposite Rashad Carmichael.

“I know Frank is as high on him as anybody he’s ever had. He was a return specialist last year. He’s very, very talented. But Pettis has the experience and this will be his first start. The matchup between Hosley and Pettis is going to be very interesting.”

Not surprisingly, Coach Ross expects a very tight game.

“Everyone’s talking about Tech losing seven starters from their defense, but they’re very talented, they have good size, they can always run and they’re very tough.

“Both teams are going to be able to run the ball, but I think Tech is the better running team. Both teams are loaded at running back.

“When you get to a game like this, it goes back to the same things all the time. Turnovers, number one. And the kicking game.

“Tech’s inexperience on defense hurts, but the athleticism and the crowd kind of make up for that.

“I think it’s an even thing.”

With that, Colorado became the first of six Big 12 schools rumored to jump ship and head west.

Former Colorado head coach Bill Mallory was a bit stunned by the news, but he says Colorado could benefit from the move.

“I had the opportunity to coach at the University of Colorado,” Mallory said. “We used to play Cal, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford and so forth. And if that’s what Colorado wants to do, I think it’s a good fit for them to go to the Pac-10.”

Mallory says that joining the Pac-10 not only benefits the school monetarily, but it works out geographically for Colorado as well.

“Colorado has always recruited the west coast — particularly California — very well for the most part,” he said. “The move should enhance that.”

Another Big 12 North school is expected to formally announce a decision to leave the conference this afternoon. Nebraska is rumored to be joining the Big Ten, a move that will enhance the competitiveness of the conference and the reach of the Big Ten Network.

Once Nebraska leaves, only four Big 12 North schools will remain, and most of the Big 12 South schools are expected to leave next week.

“That’s had to be a hard hit,” Mallory said, “particularly in that North division of the Big 12 with (Nebraska and Colorado) leaving. You just wonder, too, what the heck is going to happen to Kansas and Kansas State.”

Two years later, Ross is taking on a more influential role.

The former coach who won a national championship with Georgia Tech in 1990 is the newest coach to join the Legends Poll — a top 25 poll voted on by legendary college football coaches.

“Any coaches who are asked to give their opinion, it’s a real honor, but I also think it’s a very worthwhile thing for evaluations for the BCS and things of this nature,” Ross said during a phone interview Monday. “It’s going to be interesting for me because I do follow college football when I’m not doing anything, but now I’m going to be a part of it.”

Ross becomes the 18th Legends Poll voting coach and joins an illustrious group that already boasts 13 College Football Hall of Fame members and six national championships.

“I feel very honored. When you look at the selection, it’s a who’s who. I don’t know how I fit in there, but I’m glad I do,” Ross said. “I’m honored to be invited to join it. I think I’m going to enjoy myself. I talked to (current Legends Poll coach) Don Nehlen about it and we competed when he was at West Virginia and I was at Maryland, and it was good to renew some acquaintances in coaching, so I’m very excited about it.”

After spending four years at Maryland, Ross took over at Georgia Tech in 1987 and built the Yellow Jackets into a national contender. In 1990, he led them to an 11-0-1 record and a national title by finishing No. 1 in the final Coaches’ Poll.

Ross, whose career as a head coach spanned from 1973-2006, spent eight years in the NFL as the head coach of the San Diego Chargers and Detroit Lions. In just his third year in the NFL, Ross guided the Chargers to an AFC Championship and a Super Bowl appearance. The Chargers lost the Super Bowl 49-26 to the San Francisco 49ers.

Ross’ three years with the Lions included one playoff appearance in 1999. The Lions haven’t been back to the postseason since Ross’ departure.

Ross came back to the college game in 2004 to take over at Army one year after the Black Knights recorded an 0-13 season. Ross went 9-25 during his time with Army before retiring in 2007.

After spending a year with Westwood One, Ross decided to step away for a year. With a son in Afghanistan and a grandson playing high school football, Ross wanted to spend some time with his family.

But the lure of again getting involved in college football in some capacity was too strong. That’s why the Legends Poll became the obvious fit for Ross, especially considering what Legends Poll coaches do to make their decisions.

Each coach is given certain teams during the football season to be experts on. After each game, the coach is sent game film to study their teams and know every aspect of how that team performs week to week.

Ross is excited about the chance to sit down and scrutinize film again, and more importantly, be influential in the college football world again.

“I’ve got three teams. I think right now it’s going to be Maryland, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech,” Ross said. “If any of those three appear that they might be out of the picture for the BCS, then it might be that I’m given another team and I’ll look a little further and that type of thing.

“So I think it’s going to be really fun looking at film. I always love to look at film. That was something I really enjoyed, and I’ll be making a contribution to something I think is very, very important in college football.”