The MWC would go after UTEP and Rice first. Those two Texas schools are already vetted and the interest is mutual. The financials don't work right now (Playoff payouts and TV revenues don't bump up commensurately with expansion). If they did it would have happened already. But it is very clear they are replacement candidates #1 and #2 should there be a defection.

North Texas has some decent academics, and could interest the MWC, but they would be a bit further down the list. I have heard of no interest either from either side. They like the SBC West.

The only Big Sky school that could remotely interest the MWC is UC Davis (technically a football affiliate only). The Montana schools have T9 issues they are dealing with. The rest of the Big Sky is woefully short of the resources.