(01-29-2009 01:42 AM)esayem Wrote:  Everyone always says Fresno St. and Boise St., but here are a few that could be looked at if the MWC is really concerned about academics:

Montana would be a great fit in the Mountain West if they expanded their stadium. I believe their football program would continue along the successful path they're on now. They have history with many MWC schools. I guess there was even a yearly rivalry played against Wyoming. What's cool about that game is that it took place at a neutral site in Billings.

Tulsa would be a nice addition. A solid fit that extends the footprint a bit, and the Tulsa market isn't stepping on any toes. They have history with TCU dating back to the 20's. Currently, their football program is solid and basketball is also very important there.

UTEP would be the final choice. Huge rivalry with New Mexico. I don't know about their academics, but I know they would be the perfect season ending rival for New Mexico. Great basketball tradition in addition to a solid bowl game.

So check out the divisions, schools are lined up against their season ending rival:

Air Force vs. Colorado St.
BYU vs. Utah
Montana vs. Wyoming

New Mexico vs. UTEP
San Diego St. vs. UNLV
TCU vs. Tulsa

While UTEP and Tulsa remain intriguing options for #12, Fresno and Boise are head-and-shoulders ahead of them. I think Montana is a great option, yet they aren't able to upgrade because Montana State demands that they upgrade with them. And it doesn't look like Montana State has the money or support for FBS. [i'd like to see a montana state fan explain thier rediculous position]. Though if the situation called for it, the MWC could always nudge Montana State in the right direction, maybe in the direction of 5 million smackaroonies.

Houston and UTEP are at about the same level right now. UTEP has a more active student body, and a larger market share than Houston, and they also draw better. They also have more history with the MWC schools. Houston has an absolutly monsterous student body (which weighs in around 55k) but can't seem to draw flies (NFL Killzone FTL) (I think Houston-Rice had about 15k last year) even when they are winning. Houston also has the larger market, but are outclassed by pro sports and the UT schools.

Tulsa is just too small to be on the same plane as Houston and UTEP. They also have to deal with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, as well as the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Another intriguing school is the University of Southern Methodist. The mid-sized private doesn't tow much in terms of market, but they have made a great hire in June Jones and are spending like a Big Ten program (around 8 mil a year on football, which is good for top 30 in the nation). Of the potential canidates, SMU has some of the most solid academics. If June Jones can get these guys turned around, watch out.

I am with you on SMU, except I think TCU is doing as much as possible to seperate themselves from SMU.

I don't understand that whole Montana St. thing either, how can they demand to upgrade with them?

Fresno St.'s biggest obstacle is SDSU. Both are Cal State schools and I think Fresno would have been added by now if there weren't any problems.

Tulsa is around the same distance from Ft. Worth as Houston. Plus, they would have the best academics in the league.

(01-03-2009 01:59 PM)Hoquista Wrote:  I don't think it would be necessary to go all the way to 12.
If they can get the auto-BCS bid without Boise, then does it really make sense to add all three of them?

They won't get an auto bid with or without boise.. It Isnt gonna happen.

Montana,Montana st.,North Dakota st.,and South Dakota st. need to get Idaho and a few more schools and just build their own conference. If the Montana schools move to FBS.

The University of Houston has 36,000 students. The System has almost 60,000 students (UH, UH-Downtown, UH-Clear Lake, UH-Victoria).

UH averages over 20,000 per year, and has been going up every years since we stopped losing so badly.

With the recent round of events - the MWC going to Washington to force BCS inclusion and then the State of Utah suing or threatening to sue for MWC BCS inclusion - I think that the MWC is starting to really piss the the BCS people off. Thoughts of their inclusion might start to tank rather than improve if they keep trying to butt heads with the the BCS people. If the MWC conference wants inclusion they must keep up the success they have had in recent years to meet the current requirements to get BCS automatic qualifier status. Rather than threaten legal action look for the legal loopholes or the easiest path to follow.

That path is continued success on the field, establishing a relationship with the Fiesta Bowl as a regional conference that would put fans in the seats, and bringing Boise St into the conference to to fill the Top 10 and Top 25 requirement for BCS inclusion. With strong teams like TCU, BYU, Utah, and Boise St in the mix with 2 of the schools playing in BCS bowls in 3 out of the last 4 years, this would make a strong case for inclusion. Air Force and Colorado St have also had their success in this league and are still potential contenders for top slots every year.

For now it appears that the MWC conference is trying to force its way into the BCS party without expansion. I think it will have to expand with Boise St in the equation for the next BCS evaluation period and both Boise St and the MWC will have to keep up the BCS requirements until them. Trying to force their way in with legal action is not going to help the MWC position with the BCS. Use the BCS requirements with Boise, on field success, and a relationship with the Fiesta Bowl to get there and the the conference will find BCS inclusion a success.

Fresno and another SW team can be added at a later date if conferences are forced to go to 12 team members with a championship game as part of a future play off system if it ever comes to that.