I mean potential, most likely in a realignment scenario, probably as a last resort, and still assuming all the pieces could fall into place just right. Not meaning to cause a ruckus or start fights or simply go off into total fantasy world, ala the whole Colorado Mesa idea that just couldn't die lol.

But I was thinking about the Dixie State BSC thread and about the WAC will be gone if its just a D2 stepping stone and nothing more. And the FBS talk that seems to be pretty consistent from various conference constituents. For FBS to happen, it couldnt be all FCS move ups. Some existing programs would have to join.

So I tried to think of even ONE current D1 member that could even conceivably end up in the WAC and I really couldn't think of even one. But then I thought to myself, well...what if this happened or that happened then and all of a sudden I did think of some scenarios where some schools might want or have to take a look at the WAC. Its mostly a "how could it conceivably happen". FWIW...

UTEP-- If a realignment left them without their Texas travel partners and the MWC didn't want to or couldn't take them. If CUSA " aligned them out" their options are not abundant.

Any Big Sky school that may feel it's the right time when/if the WAC is able to return to FBS. 5 years down the road, who knows? Not the whole conference mind you,, but just say one school. Possible? Not so far fetched.

Hawaii- if the MW grew or evolved and UH football no longer fit, then what? If the WAC was FBS or coming close to having it, do they have a better option? See my BYU notes for an example.

BYU- before you scoff too hard, their independent football status could come to a screeching halt if one by one all of the other indys join up elsewhere or conferences change their scheduling and leave them with no chance for a schedule. If the Big 12 won't take them and they don't want to have all east coast opponents, their options would be limited. An FBS WAC would probably be way down in their list of desired homes, but like I said, what if the ability to schedule as an Indy is just gone?

San Diego-if they really wanted FBS and the WAC was their best option. Not likely, but what if FBS started getting too full and the NCAA announced new rules going forward to be able to join? Given a now or almost never type of scenario, schools might do what would not have been done if left alone. Their sheer isolation in the Pioneer League is probably the only reason I even thought of them though.

4 Dakota schools- if WAC could achieve FBS, it could be with those 4 moving up all at once and providing a strong foundation. IF they wanted FBS and move as a pack like they have in the past, where else would they go? Very few options for them as a group.

Tulsa-if the AAC decided they were too small, too small time or just realigned them out. This would be the only possible way. Tulsa would not want the WAC as things stand, even with FBS,, but they are used to the travel and were in it before (I know, different members then) But they ARE in that fringe area geographically where conferences are getting sparse. If they were further east, I'd not include them at all.

Beyond football, Denver could conceivably return if the Summit leans too far east, or just reverses course in the Summit.

And last and certainly least, there are always some Southland schools like Abilene Christian or others who feel like moving up.

Of course, there are tons of FCS scenarios as well. I didn't really get into them here.

And what if the WAC was poised to return to FBS and just flat out told told some schools like BYU and Hawaii that may want in just for football that its all sports or none, knowing that they are in a pinch. Is it possible that one day schools may actually need the WAC more than WAC needs them?

Thanks for bearing with me with this long post.