byu to big 12

[Samurai Stang]

Once New Mexico gets their ship righted they'll be a pretty solid non-AQ program also.

And in the present New Mexico is hardly a Division I team. Rice and Tulane will be competitive before New Mexico.

[ericdickerson4life]

Yeah, I'm not sold on New Mexico becoming a solid non-AQ.

The real problem is you could form a pretty good conference with the best non-AQ schools out there, but...Most are tied into other schools. Like us, Rice and Tulane. We can't shake them. Their like our AIDS.

[StallionsModelT]

If New MExico gets Leach they will be a solid program in 3 years. Rice and Tulane will NEVER be solid programs.

[ericdickerson4life]

If they get Leach. If Leach stays there longer than 2 years. If they got a commitment from a top 5 QB. If, if, if, if...

There are always ifs with any school.

Oh and Tulane, in 1998 (granted ages ago) went undefeated. That was the last time any of the schools you mention were nationally relevant (Tommy Bowden as HC and Rich Rod as OC). Once they left the wheels fall off. A program is bigger than a single coach. That's why it's called a program. New Mexico wouldn't last if Leach left (assuming he took the job in the first place).

[lwjr]

Since Boise St. becomes poster child for MWC, does anyone see them possible moving into a BCS conference? I personally can't see it.

[EastStang]

I checked the attendance records for these teams. Many we only played once and some were our first year in the WAC which makes it hard to estimate.
Wyoming (1) 22000, UNM (1) 24,000. UTEP(5) 19000, Tulsa(8) 14000, Rice (7) 12300, Tulane(5) 17600, UNLV(1) 16073, CSU(1) 21133, Fresno State (3) 12600, Nev(3) 11600, Boise (1) 10109. Mem. (1) 18224, Hawaii (1) 12082, ECU (2) 12600, UCF (1) 10271, USM(1) 13020, UAB(2) 15000, Marshall(2) 15750.

UTEP clearly draws well. Rice not so well but as well as Fresno and Hawaii and better than Nevada and Boise. UAB, Marshall, Tulsa, Tulane and Memphis smoke everyone but CSU, UNM, and Wyoming (UNM and Wyom) were first year in WAC and UNM was homecoming that year. USM/ECU is better than Hawaii, Nevada and equal to Fresno. UCF is down there in Boise territory. So, the MWC for attendance is probably a downgrade and would add huge travel costs not only for our fans, but also all of our other sports teams that compete in that conference. Unless the MWC gives us a sure right to the BCS, its not worth it in my view.

[lwjr]

I checked the attendance records for these teams. Many we only played once and some were our first year in the WAC which makes it hard to estimate.
Wyoming (1) 22000, UNM (1) 24,000. UTEP(5) 19000, Tulsa(8) 14000, Rice (7) 12300, Tulane(5) 17600, UNLV(1) 16073, CSU(1) 21133, Fresno State (3) 12600, Nev(3) 11600, Boise (1) 10109. Mem. (1) 18224, Hawaii (1) 12082, ECU (2) 12600, UCF (1) 10271, USM(1) 13020, UAB(2) 15000, Marshall(2) 15750.

UTEP clearly draws well. Rice not so well but as well as Fresno and Hawaii and better than Nevada and Boise. UAB, Marshall, Tulsa, Tulane and Memphis smoke everyone but CSU, UNM, and Wyoming (UNM and Wyom) were first year in WAC and UNM was homecoming that year. USM/ECU is better than Hawaii, Nevada and equal to Fresno. UCF is down there in Boise territory. So, the MWC for attendance is probably a downgrade and would add huge travel costs not only for our fans, but also all of our other sports teams that compete in that conference. Unless the MWC gives us a sure right to the BCS, its not worth it in my view.

Boise currently sells out there stadium for every home game, 33,600. They are trying to raise money to expand seating to 53,000

"Removing the track from Bronco Stadium will make room for additional seating for the Broncos’ highly ranked football program. Boise State has outlined a phased-in expansion that could eventually increase capacity at Bronco Stadium from its current 33,500 to 53,000. No timeline has been given for stadium expansion"


http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/07/0 ... stone.html

[StallionsModelT]

Boise brings anywhere from 5-8K wherever they go nowadays. Also, SMU was PUTRID in that era. I would expect us to get to 25K for every game in that conference.

[smupony94]

SMU brings 200-2000

[deepellumfrog]

Boise has good fans, but UTEP is a sleeping giant. 800 K people, no pro sports. A little winning should sell that.

[smupony94]

No UTEP

[Comet]

Boise has good fans, but UTEP is a sleeping giant. 800 K people, no pro sports. A little winning should sell that.

As someone who lived in El Paso for some 10 years, everything about UTEP's football program and the people living there is apathetic.

[Stallion]

there are 3 Division 1A prospects within 500 miles of El Paso-not a sleeping Giant

[Dutch]

Boise has good fans, but UTEP is a sleeping giant. 800 K people, no pro sports. A little winning should sell that.

Winning and free burritos

[lwjr]

there are 3 Division 1A prospects within 500 miles of El Paso-not a sleeping Giant

Sleeping Midget?