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Mountain West writer writes about BSU’s dilemma, but projects solutions for the Broncos and MWC. We are part of their best option and his wish list.

https://www.mwcconnection.com/2021/9/10 ... -expansion

He's delusional if he think half the AAC will leave for MWC. It's either they come here or we make our new conference and we both drop the dead weights. I'm sure ESPN is doing that analysis.

Would much rather be in the MWC with a few teams added like Tulsa, Tulane, and Memphis, than in AAC with UAB, UTSA, FAU, Arky State, etc. The conference he outlines is so much better than a conference full of CUSA and Sun Belt teams that all used to be 1-AA.

PNW_Stang wrote:Would much rather be in the MWC with a few teams added like Tulsa, Tulane, and Memphis, than in AAC with UAB, UTSA, FAU, etc. The conference he outlines is so much better than a conference full of CUSA and Sun Belt teams that all used to be 1-AA and with no history.

Your AAC addition examples won’t create any excitement. Aresco has a hard hand to play. MWC’s Thompson might be the one who makes the next move. Here is the view from San Diego.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sp ... erence-usa

The AAC has the much better tv contract and the much better partner in ESPN. If ESPN wants Boise State and San Diego State, the AAC will remain the 6th best conference. It makes more sense for them to move here than for us to move there.

The best way to get Boise and San Diego to come over to the AAC is to offer them full memberships. And that could happen only if the AAC expanded to 14 teams and split into East/West Divisions. That would entail adding BSU, SDSU, AFA, CSU, as well as UAB and Army. Will it happen, we'll see.

It might be possible to get ESPN to increase to $9M/school ending in 2031. Would that be enough incentive?

No need to go to 14. You can add a west wing with 4 western schools.

West
Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Air Force, SMU, Tulsa

East
Memphis, Tulane, USF, East Carolina, Temple, Navy

The Big 12's goal is to remain a P5 conference with all the rights and privileges that honor entails.

Unfortunately, they have a pretty good plan. They are attempting to include all the teams that could make a claim for P5 inclusion. This will benefit Boise St. and Memphis here sooner rather than later.

By inviting Boise St. and Memphis, the Big 12 will secure two more teams that have played in NY6 bowls as the G5 representative. Add those two to the inclusion of BYU, Cincy, UCF, and Houston and the Big12 pretty much scooped up the rest of the desirable schools that have the size and recognition to go along with the on field success.

I could easily see the Big 12 stopping at 14, especially if they feel they have done enough to keep their P5 inclusion indefinitely.

Another bad blow for SMU, but we can still win our way in eventually by getting to a NY6 bowl or two.

mustangxc wrote:No need to go to 14. You can add a west wing with 4 western schools.

West
Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Air Force, SMU, Tulsa

East
Memphis, Tulane, USF, East Carolina, Temple, Navy

True but Navy has always played in the West and prefers to play in the West. That is the only way they can be guaranteed an annual game with Air Force and San Diego. That will help both Navy and Air Force schedule more non conference games. And 14 teams insures only 1 cross division away game per year rather than 2.

SMUstang wrote:

mustangxc wrote:No need to go to 14. You can add a west wing with 4 western schools.

West
Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Air Force, SMU, Tulsa

East
Memphis, Tulane, USF, East Carolina, Temple, Navy

True but Navy has always played in the West and prefers to play in the West. That is the only way they can be guaranteed an annual game with Air Force and San Diego. That will help both Navy and Air Force schedule more non conference games. And 14 teams insures only 1 cross division away game per year rather than 2.

Moving Navy to the West would be their preference. In any case, the above East Division looks weak except for Memphis and possibly an emerging Tulane. Also, Army's name is likely to come up in order to include all the service academies.

Lastly, MWC may initiate a different alternative by campaigning for them to grab Gonzaga, SMU, Memphis and Tulane and Tulsa.

All combinations sound underwhelming; most notably the names Aresco would go after in the Sun Belt and CUSA.

Water Pony wrote:

SMUstang wrote:

mustangxc wrote:No need to go to 14. You can add a west wing with 4 western schools.

West
Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Air Force, SMU, Tulsa

East
Memphis, Tulane, USF, East Carolina, Temple, Navy

True but Navy has always played in the West and prefers to play in the West. That is the only way they can be guaranteed an annual game with Air Force and San Diego. That will help both Navy and Air Force schedule more non conference games. And 14 teams insures only 1 cross division away game per year rather than 2.

Moving Navy to the West would be their preference. In any case, the above East Division looks weak except for Memphis and possibly an emerging Tulane. Also, Army's name is likely to come up in order to include all the service academies.

Lastly, MWC may initiate a different alternative by campaigning for them to grab Gonzaga, SMU, Memphis and Tulane and Tulsa.

All combinations sound underwhelming; most notably the names Aresco would go after in the Sun Belt and CUSA.

True but the American has the advantage of a partnership with ESPN and better TV coverage, and a higher payout/school. Why would any AAC school accept a lower payout/school?

You guys forgetting Wichita State? Assuming they would be western division bball, WSU replacing football only Navy in the west for bball makes sense so either Tulsa or SMU would logically to the eastern division (which I personally would prefer)

mustangxc wrote:No need to go to 14. You can add a west wing with 4 western schools.

West
Boise St, San Diego St, Fresno St/Colorado St, Air Force, Navy/Wichita St, Tulsa

East
Memphis, Tulane, USF, East Carolina, Temple, SMU

With 12 members. I still prefer 14.

mustangxc wrote:No need to go to 14. You can add a west wing with 4 western schools.

West
Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Air Force, SMU, Tulsa

East
Memphis, Tulane, USF, East Carolina, Temple, Navy

Go to 14 now to prepare for the loss of Boise & Memphis when the Big XII comes calling. Have to be forward thinking AND realistic about today's world

Charleston Pony wrote:

mustangxc wrote:No need to go to 14. You can add a west wing with 4 western schools.

West
Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Air Force, SMU, Tulsa

East
Memphis, Tulane, USF, East Carolina, Temple, Navy

Go to 14 now to prepare for the loss of Boise & Memphis when the Big XII comes calling. Have to be forward thinking AND realistic about today's world

I don't see the Big12 adding Boise state. It's not a market they want and the travel costs wouldn't make sense. They be better off with us and Memphis. I think they're just waiting for us to justify our existence.