Worst Case Scenario?

[Pweesey]

we should know a lot in the next couple of days. No idea how this thing is going to play out. I hadn't really given much thought to losing more than Houston, but it could happen.

Let's say BYU goes independent. The MWC is at 10 teams, and has a decision to make: stay at 10 or get to 12. If they expand, no way they take Utah State if BYU is out of the picture. They'll go after 2 from CUSA. Houston is one for sure, and I'd bet UTEP will be the other. They're a natural partner for UNM and the Texas schools, and there is no indication TCU will go to bat for us.

That would leave CUSA West a mess. We lose 2 easy travel opponents. The conference would be down to 10 teams. At that point do we stay at 10 and play a round robin, or do we add 2 just for the sake of having a championship game? What effect would that have on our TV deal?

The weird thing is that I'm not sure Houston should jump to a BYU-less MWC, though they will. They'd have 2 division opponents in Texas, but the rest of the travel is tough, especially for non-football sports. And while a better conference, the hopes for MWC being an automatic qualifier would be dead. If there's no hope for AQ, I don't mind CUSA at all. The MWC's contract with mtn is pretty lousy, at least as it stands now. Without any Utah school I can't see anyone throwing a bunch of money their way.

Thoughts?

[westexSMU]

Without BYU it may make sense for UTEP to join the MWC so they can get back with their natural western rivals, but I can't understand how with the travel expenses it makes much sense for Houston or SMU. Its great to get to play Boise St. but why would TCU stay ? With TCU being the exception, the MWC without BYU and Utah is just like the WAC was last year.