After Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson made some interesting comments to Dennis Dodd, and there's just one question that needs an answer: What on earth is he thinking?

For those that missed Dodd's article, Thompson and the conference are apparently reconsidering scheduling the Cougars.

"We talked — in context of the SEC and ACC conversations — what does it mean to schedule BYU? We really have to think about our scheduling," Thompson told Dodd.

This comment is just plain silly.


http://www.deseretnews.com/article/86560...tml?pg=all

He's trying to put pressure on BYU to join a conference (the MWC) with the threat of *maybe* some MWC programs having second thoughts scheduling BYU. Yes, it's silly and easy to see through ... but I think that's the motivation.

It is more since BYU is not considered part of the P5 club like Notre Dame, does BYU really offer anything more to help the MW get the auto-bid? Would it be better to schedule another P5 team or another G5 school like an AAC school so that the MW can show a record that even though MW champ and the AAC champ have similar records, the MW champ should get the bid because the MW conference has a winning record against the AAC conference to show that it is the stronger conference.

The BYU writers apparently didn't listen to the part that the MW teams will still schedule them but its time in the playoff era to evaluate what does BYU bring that another P5 (even a lower tier one) team would bring. Is it better to beat Washington St. or Colorado than BYU? What passes to the eyeball test more.

However, BYU wouldn't go back anyway and may have more of a scheduling formal scheduling agreement with the AAC in which they would want access like Notre Dame. They are finding themselves in a squeeze to schedule more than 2 or 3 P5 teams like they want or were promised to. They thought they could get at least 6 or more P5 teams and then fill the remaining schedule with MW teams....that is not happening now or in the future.

Bowls (Miami) (Access)
Audience reach (especially on the East Coast)
CBSSN versus ESPN
Games in Florida, Texas, Northeast/Southeast versus games where most Mormons live anyway
BYU not a P5 school according to SEC/ACC
BYU popping smoke on the MWC to begin with
Hair Thompson making "subtle" threats
Mike Aresco's accommodating "personality"

In lieu of a Big 12 / BYU marriage, it sounds like all the ingredients needed to convince BYU to join up with the American. At this point I wouldn't even care who #14 is. Any of the usual suspects mentioned would be just fine and IMHO, collectively with continued success on the field and court, this conference would be setting itself up nicely during the lookin period or at least have much more savvy going into contract renewal talks with ESPN.

What were they thinking? BYU might just join the AAC out of spite.

(05-21-2014 08:36 AM)ECUPirated Wrote:  Bowls (Miami) (Access)
Audience reach (especially on the East Coast)
CBSSN versus ESPN
Games in Florida, Texas, Northeast/Southeast versus games where most Mormons live anyway
BYU not a P5 school according to SEC/ACC
BYU popping smoke on the MWC to begin with
Hair Thompson making "subtle" threats
Mike Aresco's accommodating "personality"

In lieu of a Big 12 / BYU marriage, it sounds like all the ingredients needed to convince BYU to join up with the American. At this point I wouldn't even care who #14 is. Any of the usual suspects mentioned would be just fine and IMHO, collectively with continued success on the field and court, this conference would be setting itself up nicely during the lookin period or at least have much more savvy going into contract renewal talks with ESPN.

#14 Air Force football only

(05-21-2014 09:01 AM)Wilkie01 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 08:36 AM)ECUPirated Wrote:  Bowls (Miami) (Access)
Audience reach (especially on the East Coast)
CBSSN versus ESPN
Games in Florida, Texas, Northeast/Southeast versus games where most Mormons live anyway
BYU not a P5 school according to SEC/ACC
BYU popping smoke on the MWC to begin with
Hair Thompson making "subtle" threats
Mike Aresco's accommodating "personality"

In lieu of a Big 12 / BYU marriage, it sounds like all the ingredients needed to convince BYU to join up with the American. At this point I wouldn't even care who #14 is. Any of the usual suspects mentioned would be just fine and IMHO, collectively with continued success on the field and court, this conference would be setting itself up nicely during the lookin period or at least have much more savvy going into contract renewal talks with ESPN.

#14 Air Force football only

I don't think Air Force makes sense unless Army is included too. I'm still undecided on who make the best #14.

UConn, Temple, Navy, Cincy, ECU, UCF, USF
Memphis, Tulane, Houston, SMU, Tulsa, BYU

actually Air Force would balance the divisions by east/west- and would give each division 1 fb only school. Considering the western schools out there that would be available- Air Force isn't bad.

And yes- Thompson is an idiot. Think BYU fans pretty much despise him.

Can Air Force really afford to spurn the MWC?

The AAC w/ BYU would get raided the moment the ACC or Big 12 needed a new member. That would leave any MWC defector high and dry.

I think it makes the most sense for BYU to be a FB only member of the AAC and then add UTSA/UTEP/Rice/Southern Miss to the Western wing of the conference.

My personal preference would be UTSA or Rice. With UTSA, that would be 3 teams in the 3 biggest media markets in Texas. Powerful stuff from a TV contract perspective.

UConn, Temple, Cincy, ECU, UCF, USF, Navy (FB only)
Memphis, Tulane, Houston, SMU, Tulsa, UTSA/Rice, BYU (FB only)

12 all-sports, 2 FB-only

(05-21-2014 09:26 AM)ElectricCoogaloo Wrote:  Can Air Force really afford to spurn the MWC?

The AAC w/ BYU would get raided the moment the ACC or Big 12 needed a new member. That would leave any MWC defector high and dry.

I think it makes the most sense for BYU to be a FB only member of the AAC and then add UTSA/UTEP to the Western wing of the conference.

My personal preference would be UTSA. That would be 3 teams in the 3 biggest media markets in Texas. Powerful stuff from a TV contract perspective.

UConn, Temple, Cincy, ECU, UCF, USF, Navy (FB only)
Memphis, Tulane, Houston, SMU, Tulsa, UTSA, BYU (FB only)

12 all-sports, 2 FB-only

I threw up in my mouth a little

The AAC with or without BYU is going to get raide the moment the ACC or Big 12 needs a new member.

The thing for BYU is that the AAC is a much stronger basketball conference than the WCC. Their champion was a 8 seed in the tourney this year and BYU only other school that got in.

BYU and UNLV all sports would be ti...ts.

Move Memphis or Tulane east.

I think San Diego State is pretty much a lock if BYU joins. They openly want the AAC.

(05-21-2014 09:29 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 09:26 AM)ElectricCoogaloo Wrote:  Can Air Force really afford to spurn the MWC?

The AAC w/ BYU would get raided the moment the ACC or Big 12 needed a new member. That would leave any MWC defector high and dry.

I think it makes the most sense for BYU to be a FB only member of the AAC and then add UTSA/UTEP to the Western wing of the conference.

My personal preference would be UTSA. That would be 3 teams in the 3 biggest media markets in Texas. Powerful stuff from a TV contract perspective.

UConn, Temple, Cincy, ECU, UCF, USF, Navy (FB only)
Memphis, Tulane, Houston, SMU, Tulsa, UTSA, BYU (FB only)

12 all-sports, 2 FB-only

I threw up in my mouth a little

Kind of how I felt when ECU got invited to the Big East.

UTSA, though a fledgling football program, plays in a captive and fast growing market. I'm pretty much done with UTEP, so forget I said that. I'd give Rice a sniff just for old time's sake.

I think we need to forget raiding the MWC unless we're swinging for the fences (i.e. 3+ programs taken). Any move we make will undoubtedly result in a raid on our conference in less than 10 years. MWC schools know that, and they know they won't be the ones getting invited to the P5 when it happens, either.

(05-21-2014 09:29 AM)stever20 Wrote:  The AAC with or without BYU is going to get raide the moment the ACC or Big 12 needs a new member.

The thing for BYU is that the AAC is a much stronger basketball conference than the WCC. Their champion was a 8 seed in the tourney this year and BYU only other school that got in.

True, with or without BYU the AAC will get raided... But with BYU in the AAC it only creates many more outstanding $$$ possibilities including above strength and power of this conference.

(05-21-2014 09:38 AM)ElectricCoogaloo Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 09:29 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 09:26 AM)ElectricCoogaloo Wrote:  Can Air Force really afford to spurn the MWC?

The AAC w/ BYU would get raided the moment the ACC or Big 12 needed a new member. That would leave any MWC defector high and dry.

I think it makes the most sense for BYU to be a FB only member of the AAC and then add UTSA/UTEP to the Western wing of the conference.

My personal preference would be UTSA. That would be 3 teams in the 3 biggest media markets in Texas. Powerful stuff from a TV contract perspective.

UConn, Temple, Cincy, ECU, UCF, USF, Navy (FB only)
Memphis, Tulane, Houston, SMU, Tulsa, UTSA, BYU (FB only)

12 all-sports, 2 FB-only

I threw up in my mouth a little

Kind of how I felt when ECU got invited to the Big East.

UTSA, though a fledgling football program, plays in a captive and fast growing market. I'm pretty much done with UTEP, so forget I said that. I'd give Rice a sniff just for old time's sake.

I think we need to forget raiding the MWC unless we're swinging for the fences (i.e. 3+ programs taken). Any move we make will undoubtedly result in a raid on our conference in less than 10 years. MWC schools know that, and they know they won't be the ones getting invited to the P5 when it happens, either.

Lol, except we have a long history together. I have no history and give no s&^% about UTEP/UTSA.

(05-21-2014 09:48 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  Lol, except we have a long history together. I have no history and give no s&^% about UTEP/UTSA.

You have exactly 4 more years of "history" (full conference affiliation) with Houston as you do with UTEP....

(05-21-2014 09:50 AM)ElectricCoogaloo Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 09:48 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  Lol, except we have a long history together. I have no history and give no s&^% about UTEP/UTSA.

You have exactly 4 more years of "history" (full conference affiliation) with Houston as you do with UTEP....

We first started playing Houston in 1997. First started playing UTEP in 2007. By my count, thats 10 years.

(05-21-2014 09:50 AM)ElectricCoogaloo Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 09:48 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  Lol, except we have a long history together. I have no history and give no s&^% about UTEP/UTSA.

You have exactly 4 more years of "history" (full conference affiliation) with Houston as you do with UTEP....

let me guess... You are a Houston fan who wants Houston to leave the AAC and go to the MWC.

(05-21-2014 09:38 AM)ElectricCoogaloo Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 09:29 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 09:26 AM)ElectricCoogaloo Wrote:  Can Air Force really afford to spurn the MWC?

The AAC w/ BYU would get raided the moment the ACC or Big 12 needed a new member. That would leave any MWC defector high and dry.

I think it makes the most sense for BYU to be a FB only member of the AAC and then add UTSA/UTEP to the Western wing of the conference.

My personal preference would be UTSA. That would be 3 teams in the 3 biggest media markets in Texas. Powerful stuff from a TV contract perspective.

UConn, Temple, Cincy, ECU, UCF, USF, Navy (FB only)
Memphis, Tulane, Houston, SMU, Tulsa, UTSA, BYU (FB only)

12 all-sports, 2 FB-only

I threw up in my mouth a little

Kind of how I felt when ECU got invited to the Big East.

UTSA, though a fledgling football program, plays in a captive and fast growing market. I'm pretty much done with UTEP, so forget I said that. I'd give Rice a sniff just for old time's sake.

I think we need to forget raiding the MWC unless we're swinging for the fences (i.e. 3+ programs taken). Any move we make will undoubtedly result in a raid on our conference in less than 10 years. MWC schools know that, and they know they won't be the ones getting invited to the P5 when it happens, either.

Sorry fellow Coog, but why would we want to go back to CUSA?!? (sarcasm)

The only program worth adding is BYU, IMO... If BYU refuses to join the AAC, I say we remain as we are, at 12 program conference.