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I cannot believe UALR would return to the Atlantic...

2010-09-02T16:49:07.123-07:00

I cannot believe UALR would return to the Atlantic Sun (it was the TAAC then).

As to La. Tech, there is no leadership on that campus. There was no reason to send athletes to the far corners of this country for competition. I think Nathan makes a good point that the Sunbelt moment could have passed them by. Why did CUSA refuse to consider La Tech?

There could be hope if the western CUSA breaks off to form a conference.

The Roadrunners cannot join FBS football full-time...

2010-09-02T11:39:49.190-07:00

The Roadrunners cannot join FBS football full-time until 2013. They might be trying to make a play for the Sun Belt going independent in football for 2011. Denver MIGHT be the 10th team in the West Coast Conference, and UALR might be the team to replace a team leaving the Southland Conference, unless they force all their schools to play football. UALR might also look to join to Atlantic Sun, since they are losing Campbell. As far as Louisiana Tech, the WAC has probably taken them as far as they can go. They have tried to hold out for Conference USA, but it does not appear as if it will happen this time. The Sun Belt just makes so much more sense for many, many reasons. They would be wise to consider them.

I hear you. Along your same line of thought, you ...

2010-09-02T11:22:12.903-07:00

I hear you.

Along your same line of thought, you can actually say that they might run out of time to even join the Sunbelt.

As you stated, USA joins and brings them to 10 (12 with UALR and Denver without fotball). But there is UTSA and Texas St. coming into the mix. It seems pretty straight forward that BOTH schools would prefer to be in the sunbelt over the Hawaii/Idaho/SJSU/Utah St/NMSU mix that might add more western (CA schools) or northern schools (Montana).

If LA Tech doesn't make the move to the Sunbelt, and those 2 schools do, then the Sunbelt is at 12, CUSA at 12. LA Tech would have no option. Because at that point, if CUSA lost a school, forget just North Texas being more appealing (or Temple). You'd have big market UTSA ready to take a spot.

Lousiana Tech might just need to bit the bullet he...

2010-09-02T10:59:08.325-07:00

Lousiana Tech might just need to bit the bullet here. They need to get out of the WAC for many reasons. The Mountain West looks to be stable at ten, whenever that happens. Conference USA looks to be happy at 12. The Sun Belt will be at 10 when South Alabama joins and you can only wonder if they will try to get to 12 with another team, whoever it is. There should be some more movement here shortly and they will have a chance to improve their position. They would be very wise to not make any more trips to Hawaii any time soon.

That same undefeated record is what TCU, Boise St....

2010-09-01T06:25:23.523-07:00

That same undefeated record is what TCU, Boise St., Utah and others have had WHILE in conferences that WERE part of the BCS (finish in the top 8 and you're in). BYU will not have that luxury. That is most certainly going to be a potential factor.

Really? You just gave half of boise state's schedu...

2010-08-31T20:26:38.569-07:00

Really? You just gave half of boise state's schedule in route to 2 BCS bowls as an argument that BYU can't get there playing these teams. THey are in no worse of a situation. Bottom line... go undefeated... go to the BCS... They have scheduled Texas, Oregon State, As of tomorrow (you will see) Clemson, TX Tech, Notre Dame... given games with in state rivals USU and Utah... With a schedule in 2011 of Texas, Clemson, Notre Dame, Texas Tech, Utah, Utah State, Boise State, Hawaii, Army (or Navy) and 2 cupcakes (Idaho, SJSU etc) are you telling me we are less likely to get to a BCS game? You are crazy. 12-0 gets BYU to the NC game. 11-1 easy invite to the BCS... 10-2 gets consideration. wake up.

I am really excited about WCC basketball with the ...

2010-08-31T18:10:16.635-07:00

I am really excited about WCC basketball with the addition of BYU (no sarcasm). I cannot believe Seattle U. brings that much of a commitment to athletics compared to U of Denver. I don't think Denver is church enough for the WCC.

As to the WAC, without BYU, the conference looks sickly. I think Hawaii leaves the WAC and joins the Big West for everything but football, which would be an independent.

Without BYU, I do not see a reason for the MWC to take Utah State. I think the MWC is more likely to either sit tight (and let the Big 12-2 implode) or grab Houston and a CUSA school to be named later (most likely UTEP). The problem with Houston is the tremendous lack of student interest and general population apathy.

BYU will have to play a very tough schedule to get...

2010-08-31T17:56:30.029-07:00

BYU will have to play a very tough schedule to get noticed. They will get some teams to come to Provo. However, they will have to play road games against tougher competition. I do think that they know they have a challenge in front of them. However, they will do so in the spirit of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.

Oh boy The WAC is back on life support. They hav...

2010-08-31T17:29:51.785-07:00

Oh boy

The WAC is back on life support. They have six schools and they better hope that the Mountain West does not expand any further. If they go down to five, they are probably done. The Mountain West might say that they are fine with ten members as long as Boise State is one of them. The West Coast Conference is up to nine members after being one of the few conferences that still had just eight members. They would probably only expand to ten, so it would be down to Seattle and Denver for the tenth seat at the table. Denver might be at an advantage being an established member of Division 1. Seattle has yet to complete its transition. They also have Joe Scott running the Princeton offense there. They have never been to the NCAA Tournament. However, they have never been in a conference with this kind of profile. They would make this move in a minute if offered. We, as always, shall see what happens.

Not so fast, my friend BYU appears to be going in...

2010-08-31T16:11:15.478-07:00

Not so fast, my friend

BYU appears to be going independent for football and joining the West Coast Conference for all other sports. I am sure there is more to come with this story.

Karl Benson has some serious egg on his face. Loo...

2010-08-26T10:05:22.502-07:00

Karl Benson has some serious egg on his face. Look for another WAC school to join to get the Mountain West to 12. That would leave the WAC with 5 teams and in serious trouble. I wonder if they would try to get to 16 since the WAC cannot really do anything at this point.

I doubt TCU returns to the CUSA. As Nate mentioned...

2010-08-25T15:52:02.988-07:00

I doubt TCU returns to the CUSA. As Nate mentioned, they view themselves as a BCS caliber school. Returning to the CUSA does not help matters.

I suspect TCU is waiting for the Big 12-2 to implode in about three years. Returning to the CUSA is making a move to make a move. I think TCU's administration is better than that.

I should have said that they are looking to get al...

2010-08-23T10:48:12.913-07:00

I should have said that they are looking to get all of their sports in the same conference. That may be what they are trying to do. TCU may be looking to get a better geographic fit with the potential of the Mountain West bringing in more West Coast schools. They would still have a great shot to get into a BCS game because their toughest competition would be Houston, SMU, and East Carolina. It might hurt their potential to get higher the polls, but they are basically a BCS school playing in a non-BCS conference at this point.

Yes Nathan, hence the mention in the last sentence...

2010-08-23T08:53:46.239-07:00

Yes Nathan, hence the mention in the last sentence. Would be a blow for the A10, that's for sure.

Temple may be looking for a place to play football...

2010-08-23T08:39:52.254-07:00

Temple may be looking for a place to play football AND basketball.

I suspect $4 or $5 gasoline would improve everyone...

2010-08-20T11:55:11.621-07:00

I suspect $4 or $5 gasoline would improve everyone's thinking. UTSA and Texas St. are talking to the WAC.

In all this discussion, no one seems to be thinking about expenses. UTSA wants to send its volleyball team to San Jose for a Tuesday night game. Hawaii will send its women's basketball team to San Marcos for a Saturday afternoon contest. Dumb.

Wow Well, if BYU stays, the Mountain West would ...

2010-08-19T17:47:39.821-07:00

Wow

Well, if BYU stays, the Mountain West would have 11 members. If that happens and they were to invite them again, they would likely accept. That would leave the WAC at 5 members and almost no choice but to fold. If BYU leaves and the Mountain West is at 10, then they would probably stay at that number unless they could get them and Idaho if they wanted them. I am sure that this is not done either.

If the contents of this letter is true, then the c...

2010-08-19T17:22:46.388-07:00

If the contents of this letter is true, then the commissioner of Mountain West should be fired immediately because he is trying to recreate the 16-team WAC. That league was born from misguided additions and a complete and utter lack of due diligence. The three phone calls represent a return to that behavior.

If I were BYU and TCU, then would be looking for the exits now.

A different question. If the Y does exit the MWC, then can CBS renegotiate its television deal? This version of the MWC appears materially different than the MWC that signed the deal.

Thanks for clearing up that issue, Matt.

2010-08-19T11:08:42.043-07:00

Thanks for clearing up that issue, Matt.

And Nathan, technically on the hoops side, the WAc...

2010-08-19T10:51:52.082-07:00

And Nathan, technically on the hoops side, the WAc is fine for the next 3 years. It's in 2014 that they'd need a 7th member to keep the autobid.

Well, they could try to get those FCS schools, but...

2010-08-19T10:42:55.215-07:00

Well, they could try to get those FCS schools, but Montana is really the only school that has a high enough attendance figure to be sure of making it. The other schools need to hope that more people come to the games.

yeah natedog, they're fine at 6 schools. It's if H...

2010-08-19T10:25:10.219-07:00

yeah natedog, they're fine at 6 schools. It's if Hawaii leaves that it will get tricky...and Hawaii could go indy in 2012. So the WAC would really benefit from some FCS upgrades like Montana, Portland st., Cal Poly, Sac State, UC Davis, Texas St etc as well as UTSA. Don't think North Texas would join as they rejected an invite in 2004...and this WAC is less attractive.

I am not sure of all the rules regarding that, Mat...

2010-08-19T10:21:23.354-07:00

I am not sure of all the rules regarding that, Matt. We could try to get some clarifiation from the NCAA.

Nathan, I think the WAC is fine at 6 when it comes...

2010-08-19T09:18:23.892-07:00

Nathan, I think the WAC is fine at 6 when it comes to the NCAA classification. 6 seems to be the acceptable number as precedented by the Big East post Miami, VPI, BC defections.

Actually, the exit fee is something that should be...

2010-08-19T09:12:29.798-07:00

Actually, the exit fee is something that should be cleared up today...actually might have already.

Apparently, Nevada never signed on. It seems Fresno might have. So what does that mean if neither (or only 1) didn't sign? Would they be forced to pay? Likely not the full amount as there would be a settlement if Fresno St. did sign.