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With 12 CUSA teams and 11 MWC (assuming BYU stays and FSU and Nevada join, as reported) teams, the math suggests a 24 team arrangement, called CUSA, which could now become true to its name. You can assume that no one is kicked out.

So, by adding one more team (i.e. Temple or La Tech), you have two 12 team conferences with an automatic BCS play in rights from a merged Championship game. Whether you have separate conference (or division) championships is to be determined. Better yet, how about 4 Divisions of six, then round robin to Championship Game and a BCS spot.

The value to current BCS is enhanced by making Cotton Bowl a BCS bowl, permitting another BCS team to make it as well, in addition to MWC/CUSA champion.

Makes sense

Fantasy Conference USA

- Assume no current and recently added members are excluded
- Assume 24 members (with addition of Temple)
- Assume 4 Div. of six schools (alternatively 3 divisions of eight), named after our Time Zones
- Assume 4 Div. Champions advance to two game play-off with winner getting automatic BCS bid.
- Assume BYU is persuaded to stay and not go independent in FB
- Assume new Cotton Bowl (Jerry's World) is added as the fifth BCS Bowl and one more BCS schools qualifies for 10 spots, along with CUSA/MWC champion guaranteed a place at the table. Alternatively, if a Sunbelt, MAC and/or WAC team is ranked in the Top Ten, it could go to that school, much like today's non-BCS qualification criteria.

East:
- East Carolina
- Marshall
- Memphis
- Temple
- UAB
- UCF

Central:
- Houston
- Rice
- SMU
- So. Miss
- TCU
- Tulane

Mountain:
- Air Force
- Colo State
- New Mexico
- Tulsa
- UTEP
- Wyoming

Pacific:
- Boise State
- BYU
- Fresno State
- Nevada
- San Diego State
- UNLV

If BYU does leave, then don't invite Temple and you're now at 22. Eliminate one school and now you could have 3 divisions (East, Central and Mountain) of 7 schools.

Seriously, a twenty-four team athletic conference is a total absurdity.

I do think you could form two 14 team groupings between the WAC, MWC and CUSA where at least one champion would possibly be deserving of a BCS bid every year

Question is whether BYU would want to be a part of it. They stand a better chance of earning a BCS bid as a member, but "the math" probably tells them they are better off playing football as an independent if they can find a home for their other sports

Ultimately I think the key to holding these conferences together is in revisiting the conference revenue sharing agreements. After all, this is all about giving those programs that can generate interest a bigger piece of the pie.

"Seriously, a twenty-four team athletic conference is a total absurdity."

Good point. Makes me feel like a pauper 'begging' for our place at the table next to the kitchen door much like TCU & BSU playing each other instead of the other bcs-BS members. What a total insult that was!