The potential trickle-down effect with the Mountain West/WAC

[Big McLargehuge]

Earlier today it was made known that BYU seems intent on becoming an FBS Independent, leaving the Mountain West for the WAC in other sports (confusing) and becoming an Independent in the FBS (potentially a decent move but risky). Now the Mountain West has extended invites to Fresno State and Nevada to join the conference.

This would mean that the WAC would only have Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State, and Utah State in football soon...obviously something would have to give there...and its not going to just be a one school thing. At that point though you could argue that the Big Sky is just as good as the WAC...


Anyway, lots of potential of things to be moving around thanks to these moves today...I'm very much on the fence about the whole move-up issue since the WAC basically seems like a lateral move at this point. The WAC seems to be on life support as a football conference right now, especially if Fresno State and Nevada accept the invitation (hard to imagine why they wouldn't).

[clenz]

The first thing I thought of was pairing this with the Utah move to the PAC 10 makes the Boise State move to the MWC a lot less "impressive", and doesn't really help BSU or the MWC....

The second thing was it is clear that BYU is going through "small dick syndrome" after seeing their biggest rival move to a BCS conference in the PAC10. I'd have a hard time believing the MWC would want to keep BYU for all of the other sports as well.

[SJHornet]

UNLV and San Diego State are expected to announce they are re-joining the WAC this weekend.

but they also might not

[Big McLargehuge]

The first thing I thought of was pairing this with the Utah move to the PAC 10 makes the Boise State move to the MWC a lot less "impressive", and doesn't really help BSU or the MWC....

The second thing was it is clear that BYU is going through "small dick syndrome" after seeing their biggest rival move to a BCS conference in the PAC10. I'd have a hard time believing the MWC would want to keep BYU for all of the other sports as well.

Definitely agreed on both points. The Mountain West was as good as the Big East is as things stand...but losing Utah and BYU and adding Boise State puts them back a couple steps.

BYU losing Utah to the big ol' Pac-10/12 almost instantly made them second fiddle in the state...so I guess this is how they want to save face. They're never going to get a major conference invite with the whole Mormon connection (and how it affects scheduling) so I guess they see trying to be Notre Dame West, without the BCS tie-ins, is as good as they're going to do.


The WAC, though, could carry-on as a lousy 8 team conference for a while if it was just Boise State leaving...but a six team conference with Hawaii instantly being the best team? Not really a feasible option. There will definitely be some movement going on from the FCS moving up to fill those vacancies.

[AZGrizFan]

This would mean that the WAC would only have Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State, and Utah State in football soon...

Montana would instantly become the favorite to win that conference.

[Herky]

It's being reported from a dependable "source" that Fresno State is going to decline the offer.

[GrizMonster]

Looks like Fresno is going to accept:

http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/08/18/204 ... z0x09eTwaX" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CatMom]

This is a hot topic over on BCF....we're watching it all

[Herky]

Looks like Fresno is going to accept:

http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/08/18/204 ... z0x09eTwaX" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well hell, that's the last time I trust that source

[GrizMonster]

Looks like Fresno is going to accept:

http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/08/18/204 ... z0x09eTwaX" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well hell, that's the last time I trust that source

I think conference realignment news has to be taken with about as much seriousness as Favre's "retirements"

[Herky]

Well hell, that's the last time I trust that source

I think conference realignment news has to be taken with about as much seriousness as Favre's "retirements"

True that

[Big McLargehuge]

Well hell, that's the last time I trust that source

I think conference realignment news has to be taken with about as much seriousness as Favre's "retirements"

Indeed. I don't really trust anything unless its official. We know they were offered spots in the conference but until anything is said from the schools themselves I'm holding off on comment.


Still if it goes down...the WAC is going to either have to raid the Big Sky, take some lesser programs from other conferences, or cease being a football conference. I would not want to be a Hawaii fan right now.

[Herky]

Apparently there is a $5 million buy-out if either Fresno State or Nevada want to leave. ESPN is reporting that is a big problem as both schools' budgets have been slashed.

In short, if Fresno accepts the invitation, they have to pay the WAC $5 million. Same goes for Nevada. And, that contract is good for five more years.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5474774" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[∞∞∞]

There's a post on the 'zone by LastMinuteMan that suggests that the powers that be at the BCS schools could be givin' some deals and guarantee games to BYU under the table for them to go independent. And why not? The MWC was in a much stronger position for future BCS bids after invitin' BSU. Now they're way weaker and it's cheaper to deal with BYU than sharin' the BCS money with a strengthened MWC. I know it's simply a conspiracy theory, but I wouldn't put anythin' past the big boys in charge and LastMinuteMan could be correct here.

[SDHornet]

Just when you think conference re-alignment and move up talk is done.....BAM!!!

[SDHornet]

Apparently there is a $5 million buy-out if either Fresno State or Nevada want to leave. ESPN is reporting that is a big problem as both schools' budgets have been slashed.

In short, if Fresno accepts the invitation, they have to pay the WAC $5 million. Same goes for Nevada. And, that contract is good for five more years.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5474774" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wow that's a lot of cash. Unless some private money comes through, I think it's safe to say neither school can afford that buyout.

[Keenan]

The move by BYU to go independent is questionable at best. BYU is not on the same level as Notre Dame. It's only a matter of time before Notre Dame is forced to join a conference and BYU thinks they can swim alone? I understand their purpose in wanting to promote Mormonism, but this will be a very bad move for their football program at a time just when it was getting back into the national picture. Will love to see the trickle down effect though.

[DJH]

First of all, LOL at BYU. This is going to blow up in their face.

Also, the MWC without BYU and without Utah in football, is basically the WAC. Which means the boise st move was almost a waste now. Football wise, the MWC without those schools is basically crap.

[GrizMonster]

Reports are Nevada is gonna accept.

http://www.mynews4.com/story.php?id=25835&n=51" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The MWC has dropped the gauntlet on the WAC

[FWJack]

This is a hot topic over on BCF....we're watching it all

CM, Do you follow Houston (see their logo on your sig.)? The link on espn mentioned that the MWC might be interested in inviting Houston and UTEP. I follow TCU, and I find this very intriguing. I don't know if the MWC can ever really replace a Utah or BYU, but Houston would be a very good starting point.

[clenz]

So the new MWC will be the WAC part 2?

[CatMom]

This is a hot topic over on BCF....we're watching it all

CM, Do you follow Houston (see their logo on your sig.)? The link on espn mentioned that the MWC might be interested in inviting Houston and UTEP. I follow TCU, and I find this very intriguing. I don't know if the MWC can ever really replace a Utah or BYU, but Houston would be a very good starting point.

FWJack, no don't follow Houston. The sig is our games, in order, for the 2010 season. I'll follow them for the 1 game I will be in attendance at this year.

[Big McLargehuge]

So the new MWC will be the WAC part 2?

Sure seems that way.

Fresno and Nevada leaving now...6 teams left...hoo boy this is gonna get interesting. I think I'll avoid eGriz for a while to try to preserve some sanity.

[Just a bit outside]

Here's a wild idea for a future WAC:

1. Hawaii
2. Idaho
3. La Tech
4. New Mexico State
5. San Jose State
6. Utah State
7. Montana
8. Cal Poly
9. UTSA
10. BYU*
11. Denver*
12. Seattle*

*Non-football member

[SDHornet]

1. Hawaii
2. Idaho
3. La Tech - probably looking to bail from the WAC as well, with this lineup the Sun Belt probably doesn't look as bad
4. New Mexico State
5. San Jose State
6. Utah State
7. Montana - needs to add some sports and any facilities to support added sports
8. Cal Poly - needs a better place for basketball and the admin needs to sac up and deal with an expanded travel budget
9. UTSA - no idea
10. BYU* - sure
11. Denver* - no idea
12. Seattle* - wants into the WCC, I could see them settle for the WAC though

If more teams bail in addition to Fresno and Nevada leaving (assuming they do) I could see the WAC inviting almost anyone to keep its football membership at 8. Otherwise they are done as a football conference. If that happens, does any of these schools move to FCS or is it worth it to have football in FCS as independent (or worst case dropped) just so the basketball team can be in the WAC?