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I wonder what KTP has to say about this. And they are thinking about adding Temple. Looks like a mess.

http://brett-mcmurphy.blogs.cbssports.c ... 2/34822810

Perhaps this will mean no exit fee for your SMU Mustangs.

New format will have semi final and final for conference title.

With the champ getting a BCS bid?

This spells doom for the non BCS programs who don't make it into this "new conference".

The new league - which is yet to be named - is expected to consist of:

Current CUSA members:
Southern Miss
Marshall
East Carolina
UAB
Tulsa
Rice
UTEP
Tulane

current and to be added MWC members:
Wyoming
Air Force
Colorado State
UNLV
New Mexico
Fresno State
Nevada
Hawaii (football-only member)

At 16 FB schools, they appear max'ed out, but the article references 18-24. They could add more WAC teams, such as LA Tech and/or Temple (MAC), as mentioned. However, just as likely would be AFA reconsidering BE and be welcomed, as would BYU to the Big East

In summary, the merger makes sense.

Why wouldn't you pick and choose the best of the lot? Seems like this is an interim step a la the 16 team WAC.

How are they going to be able to play conference semi-final games?

I thought AFA was already re-looking at joining the BE now that Navy is in? They had similar logistical issues as Navy in terms of schedules, etc. but I thought that was already in motion.

RyanSMU98 wrote:I thought AFA was already re-looking at joining the BE now that Navy is in? They had similar logistical issues as Navy in terms of schedules, etc. but I thought that was already in motion.

Agreed. I heard this was happening as well.

So what is going to happen to the schools that don't get in? Programs cease to exist or just live quietly on the fringes relevance?

More evidence that we should all send Mr. Orsini a big thank you note for getting us out of dodge in time. The rift is just going to grow wider and wider.

Stlhockeyguy02 wrote:More evidence that we should all send Mr. Orsini a big thank you note for getting us out of dodge in time. The rift is just going to grow wider and wider.

We just barely got out by the skin of our teeth... I think if the JJ hire had been delayed by even one more year, we'd be in USM or Tulsa's shoes. I'd be curious to know how much foresight there was. Did Steve-O realize what was going down and that he had to move ASAP to basically save SMU athletics?