Houston, SMU, Tulsa and UTEP are the main targets for MWC

[Charleston Pony]

Certainly appears SMU's strategy is to play with the highest profile group in the east as possible; I think that's a wise move compared to heading back west. Been there, done that. Eastward towards stronger media markets!

[mustangxc]

MWC becomes more attractive if San Diego State rejoins and they land BYU and Cincinnati. Should that happen, SMU and Houston would have to join.

East:
BYU
Cincinnati
SMU
Houston
Utah State
New Mexico
Colorado State
Air Force

West:
Boise State
Wyoming
Fresno State
San Jose State
San Diego State
Nevada
UNLV
Hawaii

[GiddyUp]

The 1000th conf chart we have seen

[lwjr]

MWC from a basketball standpoint would have the potential to be a very good mid level conference. New Mexico. UNLV, SDSU, those teams are ranked or close add SMU, UTEP and UH it's not bad.

[PoconoPony]

SMU knew they were entering next round of musical chairs when accepting invite to Big East. Boise didn't join until later, basically being dragged to the party. So not surprised they got cold feet, but SMU needs to stay the course, play hard and win. If SMU when joining, really thought Big East was going to stay in tact, then I don't know what to say.
I would rather be back fill candidate for ACC than in MWC... And if SMU and Houston have a chance at getting the ultimate invite from the PAC 12 at some point, I really think it matters not whether we are in Big East, ACC or MWC.
Actually, SMU and UH have many more options (leverage) if they stay the course, and stay together and head East.

I agree with you. I think our future strength is to stay the course in the Beast and keep eastern ties. I think that gives us the best chance of ending up in a high bred conference of ACC and Beast teams if the ACC gets raided. I just do not think the media and eastern press will ever accept the mountain schools as being credible and source of power. I think that after the dust settles and if things do not turn out well we can always go west and be accepted.

[SMU1990]

MWC is a better option as the erosion of the Big East is not over. We need to bail out ASAP.

[Stallion]

I really don't care that much what we do. I think if the Big East added Southern Miss and Tulsa we would have a reasonable western division with

UH (11 wins last year)
SMU (4 straight bowls and JJ's flying circus)
Memphis (rebuilding-great BB)
Tulsa (11 wins this year-about eight 8+ wins seasons in decade)
Southern Miss (didn't they win 11 games last year or was it 10)
Tulane (rebuilding)

I really doubt the MWC is that much more competitive w/o BYU. All these programs have or will be building new or improving football facilities-I think-I forgot if Memphis is or not. Generally East is much better than West. As far as that BCS spot, if its not a mirage, you still have to win out for a real shot-same for MWC. Slight advantage for attendance to Big East for UH and Tulsa. TV revenue will likely be a tad-but only a tad bigger in Big East due to Eastern profile. I'd much rather recruit to a Southern Division than the MWC

I damn sure wouldn't pay 5 to 10 million dollars to join the MWC. This going to be a closer call than some think

[ponyscott]

I really don't care that much what we do. I think if the Big East added Southern Miss and Tulsa we would have a reasonable western division with

UH (11 wins last year)
SMU (4 straight bowls and JJ's flying circus)
Memphis (rebuilding-great BB)
Tulsa (11 wins this year-about eight 8+ wins seasons in decade)
Southern Miss (didn't they win 11 games last year or was it 10)
Tulane (rebuilding)

I really doubt the MWC is that much more competitive w/o BYU. All these programs have or will be building new or improving football facilities-I think-I forgot if Memphis is or not. Generally East is much better than West. As far as that BCS spot, if its not a mirage, you still have to win out for a real shot-same for MWC. Slight advantage for attendance to Big East for UH and Tulsa. TV revenue will likely be a tad-but only a tad bigger in Big East due to Eastern profile. I'd much rather recruit to a Southern Division than the MWC

I damn sure wouldn't pay 5 to 10 million dollars to join the MWC. This going to be a closer call than some think

Good points...this next two weeks will be interesting to say the least. USM just had one bad year and has a good following. I know Tulane is building a football stadium but just don't know if they have the capital to do it all and have they EVER had a NO crowd following? The media exposure out East is so key to this all...the west games late at night just don't draw any attention. Stay the course and dominate the BE and see what the ACC and the Pac 12 want to do about getting the Texas market.

[malonish]

June can get that Hawaii bowl if we're in MWC. I'll bet he wants to shoot for 6-6 there and he'd be over the moon.

[Stallion]

Eastern Division
UCONN(recent BCS Bowl)
Cincinnati (BCS Bowl)
UCF (great upcoming program that recently won 11 games)
USF(underachiving but member of BCS Conference)
ECU (pretty darn salty over last decade)
whom I missing Navy or I guess maybe Marshall

I just don't see this as any weaker than MWC and we don't have to to Wyoming, San Jose, Ft Collins, Fresno, Logan Utah, Hawaii road trip. This is just about a Toss-up. Now again if UMASS and Charlotte are in we should be out

[mustangxc]

Eastern Division
UCONN
Cincinnati
UCF
USF
ECU
whom I missing Navy or I guess maybe Marshall

I just don't see this as any weaker than MWC and we don't have to to Wyoming, San Jose, Ft Collins, Fresno, Hawaii road trip. This is just about a Toss-up. Now again if UMASS and Charlotte are in we should be out

Temple and possibly Navy or Memphis.

[Stallion]

so about half the teams have recently won 11 game and/or gone to BCS Bowls-several have done well in a BCS Conference. Why is this so much worse than MWC? I guess the uncertainty in the East. SMU and UH have some power here . Plus you could have 12 teams splitting pot instead of 14 or 16

[SoCal_Pony]

MWC is a better option as the erosion of the Big East is not over. We need to bail out ASAP.

That is a panic move and IMO not very smart.

You say the 'erosion of the BE is not over', how do you know that?, but more importantly, how can anyone straight face say 'BE erosion not over, ACC erosion IS over'.

Why don't we wait until the dust settles on B10, SEC, B12 expansion before we hop in bed with someone new, these divorces are expensive.

Stallion nailed it, it's a Ponzi scheme.

[mustangxc]

Keep the league small and I still like the Big East! No need for a conference championship game.

UCONN
Temple
UCF
USF
Cincinnati
Memphis
SMU
Houston
Tulane
East Carolina

If we lose Cincinnati and/or UCONN add Tulsa and/or Southern Miss. If Navy stays committed, keep East Carolina as a football only member and add Tulsa or Southern Miss for a 12 team football league and 10 team basketball league.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

MWC is a black hole. Nobody cares about the MWC or WAC.

Heck, the MAC is more well-known than the non-Pac west conferences.

East.