Attackcoog
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RE: CUSA/WEST, SBC/Texas State, & AAC/West shutting MWC out of Texas recruiting
(11-15-2013 12:19 PM)Tallgrass Wrote: (11-15-2013 11:51 AM)Attackcoog Wrote: (11-15-2013 11:31 AM)chrisattsu Wrote: (11-14-2013 10:14 PM)Cardiff Wrote: (11-14-2013 05:44 PM)LSUtah Wrote: When the MWC decides it needs a school from TX, they could make that happen tomorrow.
Lamar and Abilene-Christian... COME ON DOWN
There was discussion awhile back that Texas State might be the option if the MWC wanted to get back into Texas.
The remaining non AQ pieces on the table are UTEP, Rice, UNT, UTSA, TXST, Houston, SMU.
UTEP makes the most sense, but everyone talks about them want to keep ties the eastern half of the state (namely Dallas, Houston, Austin/SA).
Rice's friends have all jumped to the AAC.
UNT fans talk about how everyone hated their days in the Big West and would prefer to stay in a conference with other Texas schools after being isolated in the SBC.
UTSA allegedly had an invite to MWC, but they chose CUSA to be with other Texas schools.
Earlier this year, SMU said they wanted to go east and had no interest in MWC. The only way I see either them or Houston moving west would be the collapse of the AAC.
That leaves Texas State. Being the lone school in the Sun Belt and a bit of a nomad (4th conference in 4 years), they may be easier to pry away than the other Texas schools.
Pros - we are located in prime recruiting and potential media markets. 30 miles from Austin and San Antonio, 2 hours from Houston, 3 from Dallas. Brand new facilities, large student body (35,000), dedicated athletic fee
Cons- Still new to FBS, awful basketball, currently limited media penetration, nowhere close to conference members
If the MW made the move into Texas, they should just go big. Take four Texas schools. Any 4 of Rice, UTSA, UTEP, Texas State, and N Texas. The best bet is probably Rice, Texas St, N Texas, and UTSA. That's where all the population is. UTEP is really more New Mexico than it is Texas.
The problem for a Texas school as I see it, is that playing at NM, CSU, and WY doesn't have the strong appeal that it once had. For example, look at the CUSA/West Bowls....they are close by and in good locations. The TV in CENTRAL TIME ZONE is there. If UNT, UTEP, Rice, and UTSA want to play NM, CSU, and NM, do it as they do it now...as a nonconference game. The other advantage of CUSA/West for the Texas schools is that their fans and alumni have the opportunity to see their school play at away games.
UTSA beat NM this year and Texas State beat Wyoming. SO I just don't think CSU, NM, and WY add the "cache" that the Texas schools are looking for....as CUSA/West is a strong platform for college athletics.
That was one of the reasons I was saying take 4. It would allow the 4 in Texas to maintain their appeal to Texas Bowls. The eastern division of the MW under my scenario would be something like--
Rice
Texas St
UTSA
N Tx
New Mexico
Colorado St
Air Force
Wyoming
That's a pair of state flagships, and Academy, and a pretty solid G-5 school in Colorado St. To play them, they trade games against UTEP, La Tech, and S Miss--no state flagships or academies there. There would also be crossovers with west division members Boise, Fresno, Utah St, SDSU, Nevada, UNLV, Hawaii, and San Jose. Other than Hawaii and UNLV, most of the crossover games are decent quality.
This would also be a huge step up in basketball with games against New Mexico, SDSU, UNLV, Colorado St---and Boise (which has emerged as a solid basketball program). There would be a bit more money for those schools and a pretty decent step up in prestige.
(This post was last modified: 11-15-2013 08:16 PM by Attackcoog.)
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