At least it was according to the Newark Star-Ledger in its Sunday story on expansion.
Here’s the link to the story: http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/22137/a-new-look-at-conference-expansion
What do you think? To me this would be a major, major hit to UW’s ability to survive as a Division I athletics program.
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Any MWC team that currently criticizes the BCS, then leaves the MWC to join the BCS for more money will forever be known as the school of hypocrites.
Maybe so BK, but money talks and when that much money is at stake I doubt any MWC school president or athletic director will care if they are labled as hypocrites if they get a chance to be part of the BCS.
Wyoming is a mere afterthought at best on the national stage. The scenario envisioned here is largely the framework of what will happen in the next 3-5 years, but I believe Air Force will end up in a stronger position and better location than envisioned here. The WAC and MWC appear to be headed towards a merger with the second rate schools in perception making up the conference: Wyoming, Idaho, New Mexico State, New Mexico, San Jose State, Utah State, and Hawaii. NMSU could end up in C-USA along with Louisiana Tech; New Mexico may be headed also in that direction if the preferred alternative does not eventuate. With 16 schools in both the Pac Ten and Big XII, there will be just a smattering of schools left in the Intermountain West not part of the BCS. Some may have to return to FCS (Idaho); some may drop football (SJSU); while others may be in a form of limbo for a number of years (Wyoming, Hawaii, Utah State). The future does not bode well for Wyoming, a school that probably should start thinking about a possibility of a future in the Big Sky Conference by the year 2020 or before. The four schools in the Dakotas may eventually step up to FBS level which could save FBS football in the mountain states and adjacent regions for schools not in the coming BCS superconferences.
All valid points George. I can tell you Wyoming has no thoughts of dropping from FBS, but if expansion goes as you say or in other numerous directions, Wyoming and a lot of others could be left out in the cold.
Tough thing is it is difficult to plan ahead for something like this, especially something that could demote your athletics status like this.
Thanks for the comment and insight George, I appreciate it.
RG
A realistic result might be Wyoming playing a schedule that includes Northern Colorado, the schools from Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho and New Mexico along with Utah State and the Air Force Acadamy. Frankly these schools look more like UW in terms of enrollment, market size, and athletic budget than the MWC schools do. I would hate to lose CSU and BYU as rivals, but how important is UW to them compared with the BCS and their in-state rivals: Utah and CU?
I think the UW rivalry is important to CSU, but if a lot of money was thrown its way it could forget about it pretty fast. As far a BYU is concerned, the only think it would be unhappy about not playing Wyoming would be — in most years — wins in just about every sport.
Your scenario is one of the many realistic and possible ones out there.
Thanks for the comment and interest!!
RG
I am hearing Texas and Texas A&M are likely to jump from the Big XII to the SEC once the changes start later this year. If the Big XII loses those two in addition to Nebraska, Missouri, and Colorado, the MWC may all get but get swallowed up by the Big XII as other quality schools do not exist for alternatives. I could see TCU, New Mexico, Air Force, and maybe even BYU becoming members of the Big XII. The changes to the college football and sports landscape in the next few years appear to be simply amazing and unfortunately Wyoming is going to be left on the outside looking in unless their fellow MWC conference members lobby successfully for them to accompany them to the Big XII. If Kansas State, Iowa State, and Baylor can be in the Big XII, Wyoming could be also. But the legislature would have to dedicate over $100M to get the athletic department on a par with Big XII schools, and that will be a tough sell for many given all the other areas that need attention just in Laramie and Albany County, let alone across the entire state.
Nate -Like Robert you need to read into this expansion things a little bit more effective and presume all these unfounded rumors are true (Most are speculative and not much substance). It’s very unlikely that TEXAS and TEXAS A&M goes to the SEC right now. THE SEC Really doesn’t have any reason to expand, even if the BIG 10 does? The PAC10 is actually luke warm about expansion right now and looking at every evenue to avoid it, if they can. I really have my doubts the BIG12 disolves, even if two teams leave and that may not happen. TOO much doomsday scenarios being peddled out there in the media and at this point, most don’t have much legs to stand on. People need to learn how to read between the lines when information comes out and not assume it’s all golden truth.