(01-01-2022 08:04 PM)All4One Wrote: I wouldn't be shocked to see both UTEP and New Mexico State invited into the Mountain West in the next round of realignment after they've raised their profiles in CUSA. This is a big reason why I think you will see CUSA stay at 9 for a few years with the possibility of shifting back to a southeast-based conference should the MWC expand probably in 5-10 years.
I don't understand why - if you expect the CUSA to lose two teams - why that would make them more likely to stay at 9 for a few years.
To me, it seems the exact opposite. If you expect them to lose two teams, I would expect them to add two teams so that when they lose those teams, they'll still have enough to meet the NCAA minimum.
I guess my point is that if you think you're gonna lose two teams, why wait until you lose 'em to add more teams?
Maybe it's because I was a boy scout long enough for their motto - - "(always) be prepared" - - to sink in.
The way I figure it, the logical move is to add the highest quality programs that are available, and to add them before the next crisis comes, because that way, when the next crisis comes, it won't be such a crisis.
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Highest Quality 2021 FB Programs, according to Massey Composite Rankings:
1.
N. Dakota St. 11-1
2. James Madison 11-1 - - to Sun Belt.
3. Sam Houston St. 11-0 - - to CUSA.
4.
S. Dakota St. 10-3
5. Montana 10-2 - - Future MWC team?
6. E. Washington 10-3
7. Villanova 10-2
8. Montana St. 10-2 - - Future MWC team?
9. Missouri St. 8-4
10. CS Sacramento 9-3
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The Mountain West knows they're likely to lose a team or two to the Big 12, but they're in no hurry to add any schools. If and when they do, the MWC message board indicates that they're just as likely to add Montana and Montana State or UNT and UTSA as they are to add UTEP.
They tend to prefer the Montana schools over the Dakota schools because they are in the MWC footprint and would be fairly close to schools like Wyoming and Utah State. In addition, they have suggested that New Mexico would veto a proposal to invite NMSU to join the MWC.