Eight is Great: MWC will not expand

[BRStang]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6058281

Good decision not to add a bunch of crappy.

Edit: Sorry '94 - didn't see your footnote in the other hijacked thread.

[Undercover Frog]

Good move by the MWC, showing a commitment to not water down their product by selling out to the tv companies. But it also means SMU and Houston said no, which I think was a mistake.

Whatever. The MWC will likely be able to expand when/if the Big12 explodes.

[Water Pony]

Good move by the MWC, showing a commitment to not water down their product by selling out to the tv companies. But it also means SMU and Houston said no, which I think was a mistake.

Whatever. The MWC will likely be able to expand when/if the Big12 explodes.

I'm confused UF. You are pontificating on what MWC should do after you gave them the brown helmut. A bit cheeky, don't you think?

[Frog Barrister]

Utah State & SJSU wouldve been awful additions. SMU & Houston wouldve been home run additions.

But I'm kind of glad that neither SMU nor Houston are joining the MWC.

[Undercover Frog]

I'm confused UF. You are pontificating on what MWC should do after you gave them the brown helmut. A bit cheeky, don't you think?

Brown helmut? I'm not sure I understand what you're saying.

I just think it would have been a good move for both parties if SMU joined the MWC along with Houston. In the short term it would have provided better competition and visibility, and in the long term it might have provided more compelling rivalries, probably with Tech and Baylor.

My desire to see SMU improve is driven primarily by my desire to see TCU with a decent rival, and I mean that in a good way. A strong rivalry would benefit both schools.

[ponyte]

I don't see the MWC surviving. TCU will be gone and Utah and BYU have already left for the 2011 season. That is the majority of the TV audience teams pulling out. NM and WY pull almost nothing TV wise. Colorado State is about to compete with the PAC X (+II). SDSU adds some audience but not enough. Hawaii adds very little in the way of audience. UNLV doesn't hold a candle now to Nevada. Air Force has a niche audience which helps. But ARA can never elevated to elite levels of TCU or BSU cause of its unique mission.

The void will be filled by BSU. That was a good addition but not enough to compensate for BYU &, Utah and TCU.

8 teams dilutes the conference champion especially in a weakened conference.

Too small and lacking TV audience power. I just don't see this conference moving forward and possibly imploding.

[EastStang]

The MWC is basically the WAC. The competition isn't great and with the exception of the AFA, none of those teams draw in Dallas even Boise. Travel is brutal. Fans can't attend games. Now in CUSA, we have Houston, Rice, Tulane, Tulsa, USM, Memphis all pretty much within a days drive. UCF is in Orlando which has a huge airport and lots of convenient flights from DFW. Also, CUSA has east coast time zone games which draw more viewers on TV than the MWC games in low population mountain states. So, if we can take care of business in CUSA we'll do just fine.

[Stallion]

Exactly-its hard to even read the CUSA Fan Forum with all the talk about adding a string of WhatsamatterU's to go to a 16 team conference. That ain't happening either.

[mustangxc]

Stay in CUSA, keep the current 12 and invest in facilities to improve recruiting.

[EastStang]

While not completely on point, CUSA has a lot of benefits in all sports for us. First, travel costs are not too bad since we have so many schools close by. Bus/Van travel is helpful. Second, CUSA in the sports of golf, tennis, baseball and soccer is becoming a conference worthy of attention. While I know that football and men's basketball drive the bus, CUSA is making solid steps to become solid conference in those sports and stability helps in those endeavors. Its tough to brand, when the brand keeps changing every year. Which teams are in the MWC for 2011 in football. How about for 2012? CUSA is beginning to develop its brand, but there is some instability with UCF continually shaking its stuff to the BE along with Memphis. If the BE finishes its expansion and does not take a CUSA team, I think you will see stability for some time to come. Also CUSA west, I see as very stable right now. UTEP, SMU, UH, Rice, Tulane, Tulsa have each other. Memphis, USM, Marshall and UAB will not be going anywhere. ECU wants to leave as does UCF but have no better place to go right now. If one of them leaves there will be a dozen teams begging to join. La. Tech, all of the SunBelt, and several MAC teams come to mind. So, we are in a good place. We just need to start to dominate it.

[jpe747]

Win non-conference games (like TCU).

[Water Pony]

I'm confused UF. You are pontificating on what MWC should do after you gave them the brown helmut. A bit cheeky, don't you think?

Brown helmut? I'm not sure I understand what you're saying.

I just think it would have been a good move for both parties if SMU joined the MWC along with Houston. In the short term it would have provided better competition and visibility, and in the long term it might have provided more compelling rivalries, probably with Tech and Baylor.

My desire to see SMU improve is driven primarily by my desire to see TCU with a decent rival, and I mean that in a good way. A strong rivalry would benefit both schools.

What I am saying is that you ditched (brown helmuted) your MWC Conference brethern and then suggest that SMU and Houston collectively replace you (I hope we are worthy). A bit arrogant. Your concern for our welfare appears missplaced, since TCU primary focus is moving Uptown, not helping MWC or us. Lastly, it is patronizing. I feel bad for your BB and non-revenue sports and their fans and parents, who won't be able to see away games. But, at least FB, gets the glory in a BE FB league that is not currently worthy of automated BCS status. Congrats on a great 2010 season (well deserved, btw). I hope it won't become the 'high water mark' in your FB history.

[GoRedGoBlue]

I count 10

[stuckndallas]

I count 10

Nine.

[LVPony]

Whatever. The MWC will likely be able to expand when/if the Big12 explodes.

There's no "if"...

No question the Big XII-II is ready to fall apart as soon as the North schools can figure where to jump. I understand Oklahoma is looking at forming their own network. It will be fun to watch.