We may be headed to the MWC now?

[MustangStealth]

I don't think the BCS conferences will ever approve a merger/BCS bid arrangement. Maybe I'm wrong but I just don't think it'll happen.

I could see them going for it, because they would get to dictate the terms. They could put out the following and if the mid-majors turn it down then we go on with the status quo.
-Auto bid is dependent on the "champion" of the merger playoffs having fewer than 2 losses
-Auto bid is dependent on the team meeting an attendance minimum
-All involved conferences/schools sign agreements to never pursue anti-trust claims against the BCS

This way they can shut up many of the outsiders, while still having tough requirements to get into the games. They also wouldn't have to worry about a situation like last year where 2 bids went to non-AQ teams (unless by some miracle a MAC or Sunbelt team puts together a top 10 season). Finally, by adding another BCS game, they still end up +1 bid for themselves.

[RednBlue11]

Its early, very early but the MWC will barely be viable once they have been picked apart...i see this as a potential opportunity and also a necessity for them to keep going.

[Water Pony]

I don't think the BCS conferences will ever approve a merger/BCS bid arrangement. Maybe I'm wrong but I just don't think it'll happen.

I could see them going for it, because they would get to dictate the terms. They could put out the following and if the mid-majors turn it down then we go on with the status quo.
-Auto bid is dependent on the "champion" of the merger playoffs having fewer than 2 losses
-Auto bid is dependent on the team meeting an attendance minimum
-All involved conferences/schools sign agreements to never pursue anti-trust claims against the BCS

This way they can shut up many of the outsiders, while still having tough requirements to get into the games. They also wouldn't have to worry about a situation like last year where 2 bids went to non-AQ teams (unless by some miracle a MAC or Sunbelt team puts together a top 10 season). Finally, by adding another BCS game, they still end up +1 bid for themselves.

Your scenario is possible, but only if BCS sees something for themselves (as if they needed more money and control). ESPN can make the case to BCS Baron$, MWC and CUSA can't.

[abezontar]

I don't think the BCS conferences will ever approve a merger/BCS bid arrangement. Maybe I'm wrong but I just don't think it'll happen.

I could see them going for it, because they would get to dictate the terms. They could put out the following and if the mid-majors turn it down then we go on with the status quo.
-Auto bid is dependent on the "champion" of the merger playoffs having fewer than 2 losses
-Auto bid is dependent on the team meeting an attendance minimum
-All involved conferences/schools sign agreements to never pursue anti-trust claims against the BCS

This way they can shut up many of the outsiders, while still having tough requirements to get into the games. They also wouldn't have to worry about a situation like last year where 2 bids went to non-AQ teams (unless by some miracle a MAC or Sunbelt team puts together a top 10 season). Finally, by adding another BCS game, they still end up +1 bid for themselves.

Your scenario is possible, but only if BCS sees something for themselves (as if they needed more money and control). ESPN can make the case to BCS Baron$, MWC and CUSA can't.

Isn't ESPN/ABC already dictating the terms to the BCS teams? I thought ESPN/ABC was the bus driver in creating the BCS to begin with. Am I wrong?

[MustangStealth]

Isn't ESPN/ABC already dictating the terms to the BCS teams? I thought ESPN/ABC was the bus driver in creating the BCS to begin with. Am I wrong?

The BCS is controlled by the member conferences and Notre Dame. ESPN/ABC has held the rights to the games at times, but they are not behind the organization.

[smuuth]

What looked like a great move for Boise State with regional rivalries with Utah and BYu is now gone unless in non-conference. CUSA is looking better every day except for a few weeklings. Hopefully SMU will strive to take advantage of this opportunity and not be one of the "weak sisters".

[Dooby]

What looked like a great move for Boise State with regional rivalries with Utah and BYu is now gone unless in non-conference. CUSA is looking better every day except for a few weeklings. Hopefully SMU will strive to take advantage of this opportunity and not be one of the "weak sisters".

No. This is fine for Boise. The MWC with Boise today is still better than the WAC with Boise. MWC is basically BSU and TCU the middle of the road MWC teams and the best of the rest of the WAC teams. As long as Boise doesn't have to travel to Hawaii or Louisiana, they are good. Not what it could have been or what they thought they were getting, but still better than the WAC they were in.

[Water Pony]

From Orlando:

NCAA BCS Developments: Mountain West, C-USA Taking Conference Talks to Next Level

Football, Sports — By Ryan Bass on September 1, 2010 at 6:16 pm

Officials from the Mountain West Conference plan to take conversations with officials of Conference USA to the “next level” regarding issues affecting the league, including access to the Bowl Championship Series and marketing rights, according to an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

UCF is one of the schools with higher executives involved in the talks according to MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson, along with C-USA schools Tulane and SMU. Boise State, Air Force and TCU will have executives in representation for the MWC in the talks, which are scheduled to take place in Dallas-Fort Worth in late September or early October.

The purpose of the meeting would be to further extend the conversation concerning BCS access and a postseason championship game between the champions of both leagues that happened when commissioners of both leagues met about two weeks ago.

What does this mean for UCF?

Obviously it means they would get what they have been wanting: a legitimate shot to make a BCS Bowl. If both leagues agreed to play a postseason game between champions that would allow UCF to play much better competition, like Boise State and TCU, and it would give them a chance to get some national exposure. It would also further help recruiting.