Fresno/Nevada turn down MWC?

[Stallion]

because w/o BYU or Utah in Football the WAC isn't close to BCS quality like the MWC was very close to becoming. Therefore it makes much much more sense to play more regional rivals, less transportation costs, etc. The value of a WAC TV Contract will be much less than the value of a MWC TV Contract because of loss of BYU and Utah. ike 60% less from a National perspective

[WSGJ]

Why would Houston and UTEP join that conference? That seems like a lateral move with higher travel costs.

[ponyinNC]

BSU is a top 5 program. I'd think TCU needs to stick with BSU...wherever they end up.

[Hoop Fan]

Why would Houston and UTEP join that conference? That seems like a lateral move with higher travel costs.

basically to join TCU and get away from the Polyanna Privates. If Utep still got trips to Houston and Ft Worth, and they reunited with a few billy goats, dont see what would stop them. Houston might just see TCU as enough to go. I'm not saying TCU would love this scenario, only that it would be a temp measure while they lobby more for Big12.

[Hoop Fan]

BSU is a top 5 program. I'd think TCU needs to stick with BSU...wherever they end up.

top 5 team, maybe, top 5 program, no.

[ponyinNC]

you are correct, I meant top 5 team. but I just feel like those two schools are tied at the hip...in similar positions. sticking together makes sense. even in a landscape that has no loyalty anymore.

[leopold]

But they aren't. With so little money coming in from the conference then other factors such as travel costs, possible ticket sales from other schools, and regional support become much bigger.

It's great to be in a conference with the other BCS contender if are one yourself but not if you are surrounded by a bunch of weaklings who are nowhere near your school. If TCU has to choose between weaklings Rice, Tulane, and Tulsa and weaklings Utah State, Idaho, and Hawaii (even with a BCS contender in that mix), then, I'm sorry, it may not be your ideal option, but you have to come home.

[Dooby]

What does UTEP bring to the table? A first round loss in the BB tourney to an 11 seed. Football wise, the team that has averaged 1 more win/year than SMU the last 10 and hasn't been to a bowl in 4; Price will be fired if they don't go to a bowl this year.

Whooptie-doo, it is El Paso.

[Dooby]

Oh, and without BYU or Utah, the Mountain Network will be cash negative in 2011. RFD will get higher ratings.

[Charleston Pony]

strikes me as a no-brainer for WAC-MWC merger

SDSU/Fresno
Idaho/Boise
UNLV/Nevada
CSU/AFU
NMSU/UNM
Wyo/USU
Hawaii/SJSU

I think La Tech is lost in all of this and needs to rejoin the Sun Belt

TCU comes home to CUSA

CUSA either takes on a 14th or loses Memphis to Big East

[mustangxc]

strikes me as a no-brainer for WAC-MWC merger

SDSU/Fresno
Idaho/Boise
UNLV/Nevada
CSU/AFU
NMSU/UNM
Wyo/USU
Hawaii/SJSU

I think La Tech is lost in all of this and needs to rejoin the Sun Belt

TCU comes home to CUSA

CUSA either takes on a 14th or loses Memphis to Big East

It makes too much sense!!! I hope it happens as it would be the best case for all parties involved.
The only alteration would be to add a Big West team to the WAC to balance out the schedule and have 16 basketball teams.

[ponyinNC]

news in that nevada and fresno st seriously considering mwc, even with % million buyout

[Dooby]

news in that nevada and fresno st seriously considering mwc, even with % million buyout

Yeah, I am reading that as crossed signals and wishful thinking. I can't imagine the financials working out with TV deal.

[ponyinNC]

also, wouldn't that put the WAC below the # of fb teams necessary? Guess they'd raid sun belt??

[mustangxc]

I still think that a WAC/MWC merger of 14 teams would be the best for all the schools. Louisiana Tech and TCU do not fit. TCU and Louisiana Tech would be better off in CUSA and Louisiana Tech would even fit better in the Sun Belt with all the Louisiana schools. Even if the MWC adds Fresno State and Nevada is that a better conference than CUSA? I think they would be fairly equal and at least CUSA would place TCU with more of their traditional SWC rivals.

To me of the realistic possibilities, the best arrangement for CUSA would be:

SMU Tulane
TCU Southern Miss
Houston UAB
Tulsa East Carolina
UTEP UCF
Rice Memphis

if not, add La Tech and keep Marshall
or lose Memphis or UCF or East Carolina or UTEP and add Louisiana Tech