...if the next 'round' of realignment is true to form, the top few programs from each conference could be nabbed (BIG XII most likely), which to me would set up the opportunity to form a 'mega conference' between the AAC and MWC...

Just throwing it out there - thoughts are welcome...

If anything, one league would consume the top programs of the other.

That’s easy. None whatsoever

Not happening. The MWC was stronger than CUSA before the last realignment. The AAC has become the old CUSA with Temple, Navy, and Wichita. The AAC could potentially lose 2 more of its top schools leaving the MWC as the new "P6" conference going forward.

(04-30-2022 11:23 AM)panite Wrote:  Not happening. The MWC was stronger than CUSA before the last realignment. The AAC has become the old CUSA with Temple, Navy, and Wichita. The AAC could potentially lose 2 more of its top schools leaving the MWC as the new "P6" conference going forward.

Unless the MWC loses members especially Boise State.

(04-30-2022 11:27 AM)CatsClaw1 Wrote:  

(04-30-2022 11:23 AM)panite Wrote:  Not happening. The MWC was stronger than CUSA before the last realignment. The AAC has become the old CUSA with Temple, Navy, and Wichita. The AAC could potentially lose 2 more of its top schools leaving the MWC as the new "P6" conference going forward.

Unless the MWC loses members especially Boise State.

Still would not happen. MWC would then just replace Boise with SMU or another “best available” team.

(04-30-2022 11:54 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(04-30-2022 11:27 AM)CatsClaw1 Wrote:  

(04-30-2022 11:23 AM)panite Wrote:  Not happening. The MWC was stronger than CUSA before the last realignment. The AAC has become the old CUSA with Temple, Navy, and Wichita. The AAC could potentially lose 2 more of its top schools leaving the MWC as the new "P6" conference going forward.

Unless the MWC loses members especially Boise State.

Still would not happen. MWC would then just replace Boise with SMU or another “best available” team.

It depends on who the AAC loses because right now MWC schools are not happy with Craig Thompson. The fact that Colorado State and Air Force almost joined the AAC AFTER Cincinnati, UCF and Houston accepted Big 12 invites tells you how unstable the MWC as long as Thompson is the Commissioner. Heck, the new AAC members will still be making as much as the current MWC members.

(04-30-2022 12:27 PM)CatsClaw1 Wrote:  

(04-30-2022 11:54 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(04-30-2022 11:27 AM)CatsClaw1 Wrote:  

(04-30-2022 11:23 AM)panite Wrote:  Not happening. The MWC was stronger than CUSA before the last realignment. The AAC has become the old CUSA with Temple, Navy, and Wichita. The AAC could potentially lose 2 more of its top schools leaving the MWC as the new "P6" conference going forward.

Unless the MWC loses members especially Boise State.

Still would not happen. MWC would then just replace Boise with SMU or another “best available” team.

It depends on who the AAC loses because right now MWC schools are not happy with Craig Thompson. The fact that Colorado State and Air Force almost joined the AAC AFTER Cincinnati, UCF and Houston accepted Big 12 invites tells you how unstable the MWC as long as Thompson is the Commissioner. Heck, the new AAC members will still be making as much as the current MWC members.

-- Even if someone doesn't like the commissioner, the solution to that is to replace the commissioner, not jump to an inferior conference 2,000 miles away.

-- That's an exaggeration about CSU and AFA. Claiming they "almost joined" the AAC is like saying that if I stop for a minute to look as I walk past a car dealership, I "almost bought" a new car.

-- The AAC, to be kind, did not make itself more attractive with its six new additions. Unless those new members vastly exceed everyone's expectations, the new AAC is not going to attract anyone who has good options.

-- The money is peanuts for both conferences. It's only about 10 percent of a good G5 athletic budget. More importantly, the AAC is paying its new members much less than MWC members make in the MWC. The available money will never be enough to financially justify coast-to-coast travel.

0.00% likelihood.

There's no money in it. Won't happen.

The one thing that is going to continually save the MWC is geography. Being one of only 2 Western Conferences has its perks and that's one of them. Worst case if 2 teams leave for the Big12 eventually (let's say CSU and Boise State) the MWC could backfill with:

FBS: SMU, Texas State, UTSA, UNT, UTEP, Tulsa
FCS: Montana, Montana State, NDSU and SDSU

No merger. But once it’s clear the B12 is done expanding I wouldn’t be surprised if the MW went after SMU and UTSA. It would be a mutually beneficial arrangement similar to TCU in the MW back in 00’s.

(05-01-2022 10:47 AM)AztecEmpire Wrote:  No merger. But once it’s clear the B12 is done expanding I wouldn’t be surprised if the MW went after SMU and UTSA. It would be a mutually beneficial arrangement similar to TCU in the MW back in 00’s.

Definitely more likely then the Montana Schools as much as I would love for my Griz and the Cats to be in the MWC. Texas State would be a good 3rd Texas school option if 1 were to pass, TXST is only an hour or so away from San Antonio. UTSA should definitely be one of the choices as Lackland Air Base could help create a rivalry with AF

Just too many teams to merge outright, no?

I actually think a merger between the future AAC and MWC could yield both 1. a very respectable league and 2. some interesting dynamics.

But I don't foresee it happening.

I don't see a merger happening.
I could see the MWC picking off a couple schools from the AAC,depending on who they lose and who they back fill with.

If they lose 2 more to the Big12, I'm not sure aac will have enough product to attract the best of the rest

(05-01-2022 10:47 AM)AztecEmpire Wrote:  No merger. But once it’s clear the B12 is done expanding I wouldn’t be surprised if the MW went after SMU and UTSA. It would be a mutually beneficial arrangement similar to TCU in the MW back in 00’s.

It was an arrangement in which TCU always had one eye on the exit door. SMU and UTSA don't have enough positives to overcome their negatives. Their ability to help recruiting at schools much farther west is very limited, and they just don't draw enough eyeballs in a market crowded with better teams than these.

I suspect the Mountain West would probably want some combination of Sacramento State, UC Davis, and/or Cal Poly if it has one or more vacancies to fill. Both New Mexico State and UTEP will be there for the taking as well should there be no one capable of moving from FCS.

A coast-to-coast conference below the P5 level is not viable. It may not even be viable AT the P5 level.

There will be no merger. I think the more likely scenario would be if USC and another PAC program leave for the BIG10. In this situation San Diego St. and Boise would probably get called up to fill those openings. At that point Colorado St. and Air Force might jump to the AAC, if the conference doesn't lose any members to the Big12, and ESPN sweetens the media deal a little.

Slim to none