(09-17-2019 05:24 AM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(09-16-2019 02:36 PM)jacksfan29 Wrote:  

(09-12-2019 08:20 PM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(09-12-2019 05:37 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  I don't see how the Summit or Horizon make any more sense for NMSU than the WAC.

I don't think the Horizon makes a lick of sense. It's a Great Lakes based conference. But the Summit makes more sense simply because it's established, not at risk of losing its autobid, and not dependent on D-2 call-ups who all want to get out of the WAC themselves to remain a conference.

The Horizon makes zero sense for NMSU. They need an all sports league. The Summit only makes sense if it adds FB at the FBS level, not likely unless NoDak's crazy theories come true.

I see the Summit as an option for NMSU if the WAC unravels further. i.e. Chicago State drops out of D1 and maybe UTRGV decide to jump ship to the Southland in the not too distant future. It wouldn't give the WAC an FBS home but it would stabilize the rest of the NMSU programs.

If the WAC is going to survive, the WAC Commissioner needs to locate more D2 move ups within the west region to give the WAC a western identity once again; eliminating any reason for the majority of the WAC schools to leave the conference. I think Grand Canyon, Cal Baptist, and Dixie State were all good additions. All three will soon enough be better basketball programs than most of the Big West, Big Sky, and Summit. GCU is already there but CBU and DSU will be on the rise. As former D2 programs go, all three have solid fan bases and good basketball attendance entering the WAC.

Ideally, NMSU needs to be back in the Sun Belt as a full member; or longshots of getting into C-USA or the MWC. Who knows? With California trying to pass a "pay for play" law for its college programs, maybe the whole NCAA system will blow up and conferences will reorganize again.

Based on your statement and the comments made by your AD which started this thread, I wonder if change is coming.

NMSU has been the bellcow for the league, but it is also the outlier. The Land and Space Grant institution for your state that also has FBS football. Nobody else in the league fits that. None of the other schools being mentioned for expansion fit that.

WAC has pushed for expansion at the D1 level but is finding better fishing in D2 move ups. Has the WAC come to the conclusion that expansion and longer term stability hinges on D2s (maybe even D2s with football) moving up and now NMSU wants out more than ever?

Like a sports franchise with a good player, sometimes you lose a franchise player because they don't want to stick around for the rebuild