Here is what I found out today through the people I know....

SDSU was given a proposal, take-it-or-leave-it. Its a non-negotiable offer. As far as not having the votes to get back into the conference, they do, and they don't. It was a 6-2 vote in favor of the proposal sent out to San Diego St. All 6 in favor of SDSU told commissioner Thompson that they will vote no if their are any changes.

I asked if SDSU's proposal was the same as Boise St, it is not. But their is an incentive in there, which is believed to be the Big West exit fee.

They do want 12 schools for next year, but even with 12 there is no guarantee for a championship game for 2013. If it is not SDSU, there will be another added for next year.

Commission Thompson has talked with commissioner Slive from the SEC about 14 schools. They have reached a consensus that if they go beyond 12, 16 is the number. That's not to say they wouldn't stop at 14, that they all agree that 16 is an easier number scheduling wise.

Talks with BYU have heated up. One day things look good for the 2 re-joining, the next not so much. But the MWC has been aggressive with BYU. ESPN has been in the middle of these discussions as well. I am told they would only accept BYU on an all sports membership, not a deal like Notre Dame.

Here is the kicker. When Thompson said he was talking with 5-6 with San Diego St being one of them, anyone with half a brain knew BYU was one. So that left 3-4 schools he was talking to (according to him). They have a deal in place for the 12th school for next year if SDSU does not join and they can not persuade BYU to join for 2013.

The problem they are having right now is going beyond 12. The schools they are talking all agree the MWC is the more stable conference between them and the Big East (Thanks Boise), and the money is going to be a wash at this point. The Big East will end up with a little money right now. Its the exposure of being in the East (looking right at you Houston) and actually being in the same conference as schools they have been playing for a while. (Who would have thought that???)

With that being said, if BYU were to re-join, they have the schools committed to going to 16 right this second.

I asked about time frame on all this. All 4 guys I talked to told me the exact same thing. First, now they are trying to get the SDSU thing figured out one way or another. Within the next week, expect the MWC to put the pressure on SDSU to make a decision one way or another. After that it will be full press on BYU, especially now that the Big East is not even on BYU's radar anymore.

While all of this is going on, they are still trying to work on adding those other schools. By the middle of February the MWC should have their membership in line for 2013 and beyond.

One thing of note, once the SDSU things gets completed, expect things to move very fast, all within 2 weeks.

Feel bad for the "12th school" if SDSU does join. Here they are thinking they have a chance to move on to the MWC, but if SDSU stays in the MWC, they are stuck and might not get a chance to get in for a while.

Good stuff. Thanks!

Ok how safe am I to assume 3-6

1. SDSt
2. BYU
3. ?Houston
4. ?SMU
5. ?UTEP
6. ?Tulsa

(01-02-2013 06:29 PM)Ron7098 Wrote:  Here is what I found out today through the people I know....

SDSU was given a proposal, take-it-or-leave-it. Its a non-negotiable offer. As far as not having the votes to get back into the conference, they do, and they don't. It was a 6-2 vote in favor of the proposal sent out to San Diego St. All 6 in favor of SDSU told commissioner Thompson that they will vote no if their are any changes.

I asked if SDSU's proposal was the same as Boise St, it is not. But their is an incentive in there, which is believed to be the Big West exit fee.

They do want 12 schools for next year, but even with 12 there is no guarantee for a championship game for 2013. If it is not SDSU, there will be another added for next year.

Commission Thompson has talked with commissioner Slive from the SEC about 14 schools. They have reached a consensus that if they go beyond 12, 16 is the number. That's not to say they wouldn't stop at 14, that they all agree that 16 is an easier number scheduling wise.

Talks with BYU have heated up. One day things look good for the 2 re-joining, the next not so much. But the MWC has been aggressive with BYU. ESPN has been in the middle of these discussions as well. I am told they would only accept BYU on an all sports membership, not a deal like Notre Dame.

Here is the kicker. When Thompson said he was talking with 5-6 with San Diego St being one of them, anyone with half a brain knew BYU was one. So that left 3-4 schools he was talking to (according to him). They have a deal in place for the 12th school for next year if SDSU does not join and they can not persuade BYU to join for 2013.

The problem they are having right now is going beyond 12. The schools they are talking all agree the MWC is the more stable conference between them and the Big East (Thanks Boise), and the money is going to be a wash at this point. The Big East will end up with a little money right now. Its the exposure of being in the East (looking right at you Houston) and actually being in the same conference as schools they have been playing for a while. (Who would have thought that???)

With that being said, if BYU were to re-join, they have the schools committed to going to 16 right this second.

I asked about time frame on all this. All 4 guys I talked to told me the exact same thing. First, now they are trying to get the SDSU thing figured out one way or another. Within the next week, expect the MWC to put the pressure on SDSU to make a decision one way or another. After that it will be full press on BYU, especially now that the Big East is not even on BYU's radar anymore.

While all of this is going on, they are still trying to work on adding those other schools. By the middle of February the MWC should have their membership in line for 2013 and beyond.

One thing of note, once the SDSU things gets completed, expect things to move very fast, all within 2 weeks.

Feel bad for the "12th school" if SDSU does join. Here they are thinking they have a chance to move on to the MWC, but if SDSU stays in the MWC, they are stuck and might not get a chance to get in for a while.

Thanks! Just the right board to post it.

(01-02-2013 08:34 PM)UABGrad Wrote:  Ok how safe am I to assume 3-6

1. SDSt
2. BYU
3. ?Houston
4. ?SMU
5. ?UTEP
6. ?Tulsa

And the school that could join immediately for next year if SDSU/BYU fall through is either NSMU or Idaho? Who else could it be?

Ron
Thanks for the periodic updates.

If you talk to your source again, ask them about the info coming out of SMU soures/posters about the MWC having a "sit-down" meeting with Houston, SMU, Tulsa, and UTEP.

The one thing that has always been odd about the MWC information, going back 6 weeks now, is its always had potentially one extra team in the mix. 17 teams for 16 slots.

Everything has gone according to the rumors so far though. Boise was the first domino to fall.

I'm thinking UTEP for next year if needed, but I'm in Alabama so what the heck do I know.

(01-02-2013 08:56 PM)UABGrad Wrote:  I'm thinking UTEP for next year if needed, but I'm in Alabama so what the heck do I know.

Why would they be able to leave CUSA immediately? Wouldn't that open up ECU and Tulane to do the same?

(01-02-2013 08:56 PM)UABGrad Wrote:  I'm thinking UTEP for next year if needed, but I'm in Alabama so what the heck do I know.

It doesn't matter where you are if you follow this closely enough. I can tell you all about UNA and wanting to be D-I and the GSC & LSC splits to form the GAC and I'm in CA, plus most don't give a sh*t about D-II.

12 or 16 sounds odd to me, say that BYU is still out and Houston and UTEP are in. I hear SMU still wants to stay east because their alums are on that side of the US. Also hear Tulsa would rather be w/ SMU, Tulane and if possible Rice. Plus they recruit Fla and are not big on CA.

So we wouldn't go to 14 w/ just SDSU, Houston, UTEP? I say we will. Yes would could add UTSA for 15 but UNT good enough for 16? NMSU and Idaho are hell no's UTEP in would mean no NMSU. They may stay at 12 if Houston is out figuring UTEP and UTSA aren't worth it. I also see that as a mistake, we should be in Texas and I think UTSA can be real good.

Also what if BYU is willing after the ESPN deal is up. Would we go to 16 now and leave them out or sit at 12 and leave out Houston until the BYU deal is up? I think that is another reason they may just have to go to 14 for a short while.

(01-02-2013 09:21 PM)The Eye Wrote:  

(01-02-2013 08:56 PM)UABGrad Wrote:  I'm thinking UTEP for next year if needed, but I'm in Alabama so what the heck do I know.

Why would they be able to leave CUSA immediately? Wouldn't that open up ECU and Tulane to do the same?

expansion board was already saying that Tulane and ECU will probably have to take over the BSU, SDSU schedules in 2013. So maybe.

My Texas contact responded to my post today w/ this.... tell me what you think


Fresno St. Alum wrote:
If Houston and SMU stay, they'll add Tulsa(wants to be w/ SMU and Tulane) probably along w/ S.Miss. MWC would add UTEP and UTSA.

If Houston joins the MWC then UTEP would come w/ them. BE would add Rice, Tulsa, S.Miss or UTSA.
Tk wrote:
First I don't see UTSA as a nBE candidate. They've only grabbed schools that have been around so far. And I'm telling yall SMU is snobby, they freaked out when UTEP got a CUSA invite and were real snobs about anything to do w/ UNT. Until the SWC split, SMU refused to recognize Tech and UH as real SWC schools (at least their alums did) because they joined in the 50's and 70's instead of the 10-20's.

The more I think about it the more I'm certain that SMU wants to stay in the nBE and UH wants to leave. Rice and Tulsa would be welcomed in and UTEP/NMSU and UH would go to the MWC and best of all it puts all the SWC schools (ok so it was only Rice) in the best situation outside of the Big 5.

I've been thinking that MWC might eventually add UTSA/UTEP (if no UH) but figured it wouldn't be anytime soon. Wait until they see what the next TV contract pays and then float that idea to the networks. Those school aren't the slam dunk that UH is nor have the history of $MU but still large/largish markets with no direct fb school in the immediate area (yeah UT still owns SA but still).

MWC will stay at 12, and work on BYU while keeping tabs on UTEP (and NMSU to a lesser extent) and if they pass the UTEP/UTSA combo may make them some money when the time comes. San Antonio feels more like a Western city than most of the cities in the Texas Triangle (DFW>I-45>Houston>I-10>Austin/SanAntonio>I-35>DFW) and the pairing of UT system schools make it look like it was meant to be (sorry UTA/UTPA). Hell, Rice and UNT may want to come to depending on how CUSA 3.0 is working out.

If Houston went to MWC with no other Texas schools, their fans would freak.

I'm sticking with SMU, Houston and Tulsa attempting to move one way or the other together. Nobody wants to be "on an island".

So if "the 12th" team is UTEP, think about that in regards to the OP's last setence

"Feel bad for the "12th school" if SDSU does join. Here they are thinking they have a chance to move on to the MWC, but if SDSU stays in the MWC, they are stuck and might not get a chance to get in for a while."

So if you guys are right its either
SDSU, BYU, Tulsa, Houston, SMU or
UTEP, BYU, Tulsa, Houston, SMU

Is that what you guys are thinking?

(01-02-2013 09:29 PM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  My Texas contact responded to my post today w/ this.... tell me what you think


Fresno St. Alum wrote:
If Houston and SMU stay, they'll add Tulsa(wants to be w/ SMU and Tulane) probably along w/ S.Miss. MWC would add UTEP and UTSA.

If Houston joins the MWC then UTEP would come w/ them. BE would add Rice, Tulsa, S.Miss or UTSA.
Tk wrote:
First I don't see UTSA as a nBE candidate. They've only grabbed schools that have been around so far. And I'm telling yall SMU is snobby, they freaked out when UTEP got a CUSA invite and were real snobs about anything to do w/ UNT. Until the SWC split, SMU refused to recognize Tech and UH as real SWC schools (at least their alums did) because they joined in the 50's and 70's instead of the 10-20's.

The more I think about it the more I'm certain that SMU wants to stay in the nBE and UH wants to leave. Rice and Tulsa would be welcomed in and UTEP/NMSU and UH would go to the MWC and best of all it puts all the SWC schools (ok so it was only Rice) in the best situation outside of the Big 5.

I've been thinking that MWC might eventually add UTSA/UTEP (if no UH) but figured it wouldn't be anytime soon. Wait until they see what the next TV contract pays and then float that idea to the networks. Those school aren't the slam dunk that UH is nor have the history of $MU but still large/largish markets with no direct fb school in the immediate area (yeah UT still owns SA but still).

MWC will stay at 12, and work on BYU while keeping tabs on UTEP (and NMSU to a lesser extent) and if they pass the UTEP/UTSA combo may make them some money when the time comes. San Antonio feels more like a Western city than most of the cities in the Texas Triangle (DFW>I-45>Houston>I-10>Austin/SanAntonio>I-35>DFW) and the pairing of UT system schools make it look like it was meant to be (sorry UTA/UTPA). Hell, Rice and UNT may want to come to depending on how CUSA 3.0 is working out.

I enjoy your posts but find this ridiculous. Your "source" obviously doesn't know SMU. We are about to start a 6 year series with UNT (yes we give them grief but it is fun and will be a good local rivalry) and nobody complained about UTEP.

If you were as old as me you would know why we made fun of Tech and will continue to do so. Right now Houston and SMU are working in tandem. We are shopping the Houston/Dallas markets together and the MWC or BE is not our endgame

(01-02-2013 08:34 PM)UABGrad Wrote:  Ok how safe am I to assume 3-6

1. SDSt
2. BYU
3. ?Houston
4. ?SMU
5. ?UTEP
6. ?Tulsa

If you move SDSU to spot 500, but with the best chance to get in you are close lol.

(01-02-2013 08:50 PM)The Eye Wrote:  

(01-02-2013 08:34 PM)UABGrad Wrote:  Ok how safe am I to assume 3-6

1. SDSt
2. BYU
3. ?Houston
4. ?SMU
5. ?UTEP
6. ?Tulsa

And the school that could join immediately for next year if SDSU/BYU fall through is either NSMU or Idaho? Who else could it be?

No, neither school is on their list. Maybe down the line you could possibly see NMSU, but that's going to be a while.

(01-02-2013 10:06 PM)Pony94 Wrote:  

(01-02-2013 09:29 PM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  My Texas contact responded to my post today w/ this.... tell me what you think


Fresno St. Alum wrote:
If Houston and SMU stay, they'll add Tulsa(wants to be w/ SMU and Tulane) probably along w/ S.Miss. MWC would add UTEP and UTSA.

If Houston joins the MWC then UTEP would come w/ them. BE would add Rice, Tulsa, S.Miss or UTSA.
Tk wrote:
First I don't see UTSA as a nBE candidate. They've only grabbed schools that have been around so far. And I'm telling yall SMU is snobby, they freaked out when UTEP got a CUSA invite and were real snobs about anything to do w/ UNT. Until the SWC split, SMU refused to recognize Tech and UH as real SWC schools (at least their alums did) because they joined in the 50's and 70's instead of the 10-20's.

The more I think about it the more I'm certain that SMU wants to stay in the nBE and UH wants to leave. Rice and Tulsa would be welcomed in and UTEP/NMSU and UH would go to the MWC and best of all it puts all the SWC schools (ok so it was only Rice) in the best situation outside of the Big 5.

I've been thinking that MWC might eventually add UTSA/UTEP (if no UH) but figured it wouldn't be anytime soon. Wait until they see what the next TV contract pays and then float that idea to the networks. Those school aren't the slam dunk that UH is nor have the history of $MU but still large/largish markets with no direct fb school in the immediate area (yeah UT still owns SA but still).

MWC will stay at 12, and work on BYU while keeping tabs on UTEP (and NMSU to a lesser extent) and if they pass the UTEP/UTSA combo may make them some money when the time comes. San Antonio feels more like a Western city than most of the cities in the Texas Triangle (DFW>I-45>Houston>I-10>Austin/SanAntonio>I-35>DFW) and the pairing of UT system schools make it look like it was meant to be (sorry UTA/UTPA). Hell, Rice and UNT may want to come to depending on how CUSA 3.0 is working out.

I enjoy your posts but find this ridiculous. Your "source" obviously doesn't know SMU. We are about to start a 6 year series with UNT (yes we give them grief but it is fun and will be a good local rivalry) and nobody complained about UTEP.

If you were as old as me you would know why we made fun of Tech and will continue to do so. Right now Houston and SMU are working in tandem. We are shopping the Houston/Dallas markets together and the MWC or BE is not our endgame

I'm 35, not familiar w/ SMU and Tech spats. My source's name is right there. Tk. He's a UT/UTEP guy. So what are you saying, you'll stay east w/ Houston since they always have? That's what I think and Tulsa will join you. We'll sit at 12 w/ SDSU or go to 14 w/ UTSA and UTEP.

Remember, that wasn't my post, I try not to be ridiculous.

(01-02-2013 08:55 PM)The Eye Wrote:  Ron
Thanks for the periodic updates.

If you talk to your source again, ask them about the info coming out of SMU soures/posters about the MWC having a "sit-down" meeting with Houston, SMU, Tulsa, and UTEP.

The one thing that has always been odd about the MWC information, going back 6 weeks now, is its always had potentially one extra team in the mix. 17 teams for 16 slots.

Everything has gone according to the rumors so far though. Boise was the first domino to fall.

I'll ask more about that. I don't have any info regarding that at all.

As far as the 17 teams, i have always found that odd too, but I think there is two reasons for this (my opinion)...

1. BYU - Its always better to have a back-up plan whether they join or not. If they join, either one school is out of their plans or another will be added to make the membership an even number for football.

2. Its always better to talk to more schools than spots are available. In other words, its better to have 5 schools trying to get 1-4 spots than have 1 schools and needing tons of spots. Gives the conference more leverage.

(01-02-2013 06:29 PM)Ron7098 Wrote:  They do want 12 schools for next year, but even with 12 there is no guarantee for a championship game for 2013. If it is not SDSU, there will be another added for next year.

Commission Thompson has talked with commissioner Slive from the SEC about 14 schools. They have reached a consensus that if they go beyond 12, 16 is the number. That's not to say they wouldn't stop at 14, that they all agree that 16 is an easier number scheduling wise.

They have a deal in place for the 12th school for next year if SDSU does not join and they can not persuade BYU to join for 2013.

The problem they are having right now is going beyond 12. The schools they are talking all agree the MWC is the more stable conference between them and the Big East (Thanks Boise), and the money is going to be a wash at this point. The Big East will end up with a little money right now. Its the exposure of being in the East (looking right at you Houston) and actually being in the same conference as schools they have been playing for a while. (Who would have thought that???)

With that being said, if BYU were to re-join, they have the schools committed to going to 16 right this second.

Feel bad for the "12th school" if SDSU does join. Here they are thinking they have a chance to move on to the MWC, but if SDSU stays in the MWC, they are stuck and might not get a chance to get in for a while.

So the MWC has a deal with UTEP if SDSU doesn't join.

And the only way Houston and SMU are coming is if BYU joins and the MWC expands to 16.

(01-02-2013 10:46 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  

(01-02-2013 06:29 PM)Ron7098 Wrote:  They do want 12 schools for next year, but even with 12 there is no guarantee for a championship game for 2013. If it is not SDSU, there will be another added for next year.

Commission Thompson has talked with commissioner Slive from the SEC about 14 schools. They have reached a consensus that if they go beyond 12, 16 is the number. That's not to say they wouldn't stop at 14, that they all agree that 16 is an easier number scheduling wise.

They have a deal in place for the 12th school for next year if SDSU does not join and they can not persuade BYU to join for 2013.

The problem they are having right now is going beyond 12. The schools they are talking all agree the MWC is the more stable conference between them and the Big East (Thanks Boise), and the money is going to be a wash at this point. The Big East will end up with a little money right now. Its the exposure of being in the East (looking right at you Houston) and actually being in the same conference as schools they have been playing for a while. (Who would have thought that???)

With that being said, if BYU were to re-join, they have the schools committed to going to 16 right this second.

Feel bad for the "12th school" if SDSU does join. Here they are thinking they have a chance to move on to the MWC, but if SDSU stays in the MWC, they are stuck and might not get a chance to get in for a while.

So the MWC has a deal with UTEP if SDSU doesn't join.

And the only way Houston and SMU are coming is if BYU joins and the MWC expands to 16.

I don't see BYU coming. I could be wrong, they could put an offer out there that BYU can't refuse. Just don't see it.

But they have a plan in place if BYU joins and a plan if they don't.

Don't take the "12th school" too literally, if the MWC goes 16, they are coming, but it would take a few others to join them.