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

[sbsmith]

If the MWC is able to land all 4 of these schools, it will be far superior to what's left of the Big East. It could be a mute point anyway if the 7 basketball schools vote to mercifully kill BE football. But think of it, travel would be significantly less than the nBE 10. SMU could be playing 7 games within their division, 2 games with the other division, and 3 non conference games. The furthest road trip within the division would be Laramie which would be much better than Storrs. Let's face it, the nBE is not going to be the next power conference. The MWC has a chance to be that conference.

Power conferences make money which is something that will never happen for the MWC no matter how much junk they add to their league.

[SMUstang]

No power conference is going to pick up SMU. We get blown out by Texas Tech for crying out loud.

[Water Pony]

If the MWC is able to land all 4 of these schools, it will be far superior to what's left of the Big East. It could be a mute point anyway if the 7 basketball schools vote to mercifully kill BE football. But think of it, travel would be significantly less than the nBE 10. SMU could be playing 7 games within their division, 2 games with the other division, and 3 non conference games. The furthest road trip within the division would be Laramie which would be much better than Storrs. Let's face it, the nBE is not going to be the next power conference. The MWC has a chance to be that conference.

And for basketball and the Olympic sports, travel matters. We really won't be losing much by not playing Tulane, Memphis, UCF, ECU, Temple and UConn.

The SWC, WAC, and nBe are dead or almost dead.

There will be no sixth Power Conference. You could make the case that there will only be four, if the ACC is raided again. And, the MWC is weaker since Utah, BYU and TCU are all gone with or without adding SDSU again. Lastly, Playing in the MT and PT zones would be the darkside of the moon. We need to embrace the East and become power. Only then would we be a candidate for the remaining 4 or 5 power conferences, since neither MWC or NBE will make it.

[SMUstang]

Most of the teams in the nBE are in the Eastern time zone. Most of the teams we would be playing in the MWC are in the Mountain time zone. I believe that there is only one hour difference either way. With 16 teams in the MWC we would have only 1 game per year in the Pacific time zone.

[JasonB]

If the MWC is able to land all 4 of these schools, it will be far superior to what's left of the Big East. It could be a mute point anyway if the 7 basketball schools vote to mercifully kill BE football. But think of it, travel would be significantly less than the nBE 10. SMU could be playing 7 games within their division, 2 games with the other division, and 3 non conference games. The furthest road trip within the division would be Laramie which would be much better than Storrs. Let's face it, the nBE is not going to be the next power conference. The MWC has a chance to be that conference.

And for basketball and the Olympic sports, travel matters. We really won't be losing much by not playing Tulane, Memphis, UCF, ECU, Temple and UConn.

The SWC, WAC, and nBe are dead or almost dead.

There will be no sixth Power Conference. You could make the case that there will only be four, if the ACC is raided again. And, the MWC is weaker since Utah, BYU and TCU are all gone with or without adding SDSU again. Lastly, Playing in the MT and PT zones would be the darkside of the moon. We need to embrace the East and become power. Only then would we be a candidate for the remaining 4 or 5 power conferences, since neither MWC or NBE will make it.

The only way it would get to 6 is if the SEC, PAC 10 and Big 12 don't grow, the ACC sucks a couple more schools out of the big east, and then the leftovers int he big east and the top schools in the MWC form a 6th conference.

The bottom teams in the MWC don't generate enough revenue to give it any chance at all of being a power conference ever. The best teams in the MWC would have to leave for the Big East in order to form a 6th conference, and that just isn't going to happen right now. So, the magic number is either 4 or 5, with two minor conferences. 4 if they go to 16/18, 5 if they stay put.

If the conferences stay put, we are stuck in one of the two minor conferences. Our best chance is either 4/18 or 5/14-16. Otherwise we are stuck in one of the two, both of which are upgrades over what CUSA was, but they are definitely the two minor conferences.

[Frog Barrister]

I'd be more interested in watching SMU in the MWC than SMU in the nBE. Competition wise I don't think either conference offers a clear cut advantage over the other in football or basketball.

[fifty]

We missed our chance when TCU got invited to the Big12. TCU took a proactive approach to building an attractive athletics program and it worked. We are elite reacters.

Now we need to hope that we can sneak in somewhere (ACC?) before we're left out in the cold for good. nBE or MWC, neither cut it long term. Also, I honestly don't see how the ACC could possibly crumble like some say. It is loaded with rich football and basketball tradition.

[ender3]

Also, I honestly don't see how the ACC could possibly crumble like some say. It is loaded with rich football and basketball tradition.

So was the SWC (stronger in football, not as strong in basketball). It can happen.

[gostangs]

Big 12 had to grab someone who could play immediately and TCU was sitting right there. Not saying they didnt put them selves in the cat bird seat - but even with all of that they got VERY lucky with the timing. It wont happen again for us.

If the PAC can add Colorado - who sucks at everything including academics, and the Big 10 can add Rutgers (see above) and SEC add Mouseouri - then i dont think it is all that far fetched to see us parlay our location into a slot. Not likely but not out of the question.

Also if you dont think the ACC can be picked apart you arent paying attention. Its going to 4X16 just like they said it would 4 yrs ago. ACC leftovers will be a decent 5th - and probably represents our best shot.

[jkflamebo]

I'd be more interested in watching SMU in the MWC than SMU in the nBE. Competition wise I don't think either conference offers a clear cut advantage over the other in football or basketball.

This guy speaks the truth

[Water Pony]

I'd be more interested in watching SMU in the MWC than SMU in the nBE. Competition wise I don't think either conference offers a clear cut advantage over the other in football or basketball.

While you might watch us in MWC, the rest of the country won't, especially the media and 3/4 of the country's TVs. Long term we need to look East.

[SMUfrat]

I think the risk is too high to stay in the Big East. If the members in it now were happy and truly going to stay, then this would be a different story.

No matter how expansion plays out in the East, UConn and Cincy will leave. This gives us EXACTLY what CUSA was for the most part! I hear y'all in the 'no lateral moves'. MWC is safer. I dont see it as a permenant thing even if we went.

What I would like to see happen for SMU: is to continue our alliance with UH. It is a great, positive sum, alliance. A private school alone is not going to be favored. A private school paired with a large public, both in great markets is a winning combination.

Our chances of entering a power conference (including ACC as a power conference)...

1. PAC - they need media markets and they have a network to sell. Some on this board think this is unrealistic... maybe? But it is the best chance we have.

2. ACC - adding SMU / UH would be an act of desperation. If they need us, they would be left with a ton of private schools. SMU should not be in a league with majority private schools... $$$ and fans is why not, despite the 'magnolia league' feel.

3. Big12 - I hope not honestly. I do not want to suffer the torture of UT telling us what to do. That said, this is highly unlikely due to media markets and the conferences current footprint.

4. SEC - Pair for TAMU? unlikely

5. BIG10 - Not AAU or anywhere near them.

This is all about media and money. Going to the MWC could angle us toward the PAC... which is our best option... This is the forward looking plan. all in for the PAC... the MWC is a pitstop that can help in our goal. Those of you who cant see that need to think of the end game. ACC is unlikely due to the amount of options they have which are much closer than we are...

[mustangxc]

I'd be more interested in watching SMU in the MWC than SMU in the nBE. Competition wise I don't think either conference offers a clear cut advantage over the other in football or basketball.

This guy speaks the truth

That statement doesn't even make sense. If the conferences are about equal what does it matter where we play. I agree with Stallion, no need to pay an additional exit fee to achieve the same status.

[jkflamebo]

I'd be more interested in watching SMU in the MWC than SMU in the nBE. Competition wise I don't think either conference offers a clear cut advantage over the other in football or basketball.

This guy speaks the truth

That statement doesn't even make sense. If the conferences are about equal what does it matter where we play. I agree with Stallion, no need to pay an additional exit fee to achieve the same status.

The remaining big east is an utter joke. I'd rather play in Vegas than at temple

[mustangxc]

The remaining big east is an utter joke. I'd rather play in Vegas than at temple

UNLV has been terrible for the longest time with their last bowl appearance coming in 2000 under John Robinson. At least Temple has put up some good seasons the last few years.