NMSU is WAC champion again two for two in this new WAC.
They are clearly at a higher level than their conference mates.
So is that a benefit or a hindrance going forward?
I pull for them and as long as football stays FBS I think it might benefit them. That is a long stretch of NCAA tournament appearances.
I know conference members will eventually catch up.
Will NMSU get stronger from the tournament appearances or will recruiting suffer because of the WAC. I hope it works out for them. Six appearances since 2007 I'm thinking they could rip off five or six more in a row.

It's a hindrance in that they can't really ever expect to get an at-large bid should they lose in the conference tournament.

Pressure's on NMSU to schedule tough OOC if they want any sort of recognition other than being kings of the kiddie pool in the WAC.

Grand Canyon looks like they might be able to compete very soon, however they are still in the transitional period from D2 to D1.

This is an interesting question.

From a marketing perspective for their program I would think being in the Big West would be easier since that conference is full of solid California state schools plus Hawaii while not being too much more difficult to win than the WAC.

The WAC is a hodge podge of schools over the western 2/3rds of the country that couldn't get into anything else. Except for New Mexico State which has a good Division 1 tradition and respectable academics. It just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to stay on board there too long.