Strong rumors are now circulating from inside sources that Memphis (along with 2 other schools) is now negotiating seriously with the MWC, as a backup in case the Big East procrastinates. It seems that the MWC's commisioner is aggressively seizing what appears to be a window of opportunity to acheive BCS status.

It wouldn't be a bad move for the mwc to have an eastern expansion game plan to get to 12...i probably would go with the smu/utep pick for team #12 since memphis just seems an unlikely peer for the other mwc school's. Yet, memphis would bring more to the table and really memphis to san diego is less miles than san diego to Honolulu....so its been done before.




MWC:

West
SD state
UNLV
BYU
Utah
Boise State
Wyoming

East
Col State
AFA
New Mexico
TCU
Houston
team #12= Memphis...or smu/utep

if memphis + houston did bolt the cusa...not sure how cusa would react...i probably would add middle tn state and la tech as replacements to balance the divisions geographically. YEt, i would eventually get up to 14 or 16 teams with western Kentucky, south alabama, utsa and ga state joining up. As for the wac, they would lose 2 (boise and la tech) so maybe time to call the Montana school's and beg the them to move up to get back to 9.

I actually thought of this some time ago. It was a 12 team league that stretched from Memphis to Las Vegas and included all the top programs in between, it wasn't the Mountain West though.

West
UNLV
Nevada
BYU
Utah
New Mexico
UTEP

East
Memphis
Tulane
Rice
Houston
SMU
TCU

There may have been some changes, I can't remember it was a while ago. I would put Boise in there now. Either way that's a good move for Memphis. I would think the two other schools were Boise and Houston, althogh I would love to see Tulane get BCS status just to see LSU's fascist faces.

While that would be great for Memphis and the MWC. Thats some hefty traveling don't you think.

(09-10-2009 09:47 AM)bluesox Wrote:  if memphis + houston did bolt the cusa...not sure how cusa would react...i probably would add middle tn state and la tech as replacements to balance the divisions geographically. YEt, i would eventually get up to 14 or 16 teams with western Kentucky, south alabama, utsa and ga state joining up. As for the wac, they would lose 2 (boise and la tech) so maybe time to call the Montana school's and beg the them to move up to get back to 9.

Louisiana Tech and Temple were on C-USA's radar last time they needed schools.

I read the thread on the Memphis board and i'll be honest this doesn't make sense at all. Boise St, Houston/SMU and Memphis would make more sense than the scenerio brought forth. But Comon, you have a better shot at joining the Big XII if they lost Colorado than joining the MWC or Big East.

I saw it on the internet, it must be true. The deal is a winner for Memphis and the MWC...they are taking the Liberty Bowl as their #1 because where Memphis rolls, so does the Liberty...they're attached at the groin. And FedEx has agreed to fly all the MWC teams around on customized cargo plans with Fred Smith as the pilot...solves the travel plan issue. And AutoZone will throw in some wiper blades, bali beads, and an air freshener for the MWC Commish's car. Corky's will ship team meals for all MWC games, and BOSSMAN will supply all MWC uniforms. Move over Nike...you can't hide money, people.

Damn Big East...guess ya'll missed the boat. Better jump on William & Mary while they're hot. Well, at least Mary. Bill don't swing that way.

In other news, the same sources report ECU will join the SEC, Temples going to the Big10, and UCF is joining the PAC10.

Don't forget: Memphis to the Big East is a done deal.

If this did happen...what would the MWC gain?

1) A solid basketball program.

But then again you have the following:

Travel cost will increase!

The City of Memphis currently loses money on each UofMemphis game played at the Liberty Bowl, one of the reasons why they are now selling beer. Adding western teams would only diminish the traveling fans to that stadium.

National TV ratings for UofMemphis football games are extremely low so it is not like you have a lot of people watching.

Tulsa is another wildcard here. They have history with TCU, open a new market, and add some academic clout to counteract Boise State's admission.

More performances like last week and Memphis might need several backup plans.

If the MWC was going to expand to 12, I think it'd make much more sense to go:

North
Air Force
Boise State
BYU
Colorado State
Utah
Wyoming

South
Houston
Nevada
New Mexico
San Deigo State
TCU
UNLV

(09-10-2009 09:47 AM)bluesox Wrote:  if memphis + houston did bolt the cusa...not sure how cusa would react...i probably would add middle tn state and la tech as replacements to balance the divisions geographically. YEt, i would eventually get up to 14 or 16 teams with western Kentucky, south alabama, utsa and ga state joining up. As for the wac, they would lose 2 (boise and la tech) so maybe time to call the Montana school's and beg the them to move up to get back to 9.

Hawaii isn't in the Mountain West, so the distance from San Diego to Honolulu is just the WAC's problem. If the MWC does expand, I don't think Conference USA does anything unless if they get stuck at 11 schools or find themselves legally obligated to hold a conference title game in football.

(09-11-2009 08:35 AM)UofL07 Wrote:  If the MWC was going to expand to 12, I think it'd make much more sense to go:

North
Air Force
Boise State
BYU
Colorado State
Utah
Wyoming

South
Houston
Nevada
New Mexico
San Deigo State
TCU
UNLV

Why Nevada over UTEP or Fresno State?

North
Air Force
Boise State
BYU
Colorado State
Utah
Wyoming

South
Houston
Nevada
New Mexico
San Deigo State
TCU
UNLV
[/quote]

Why Nevada over UTEP or Fresno State?
[/quote]

Nevada has a pretty good football team historically and brings an established rivalry with UNLV. Fresno State though would be an equally good choice.

(09-11-2009 11:19 PM)rferry Wrote:  Why Nevada over UTEP or Fresno State?

Nevada has a pretty good football team and brings an established rivalry with UNLV. It also helps to keep the conference compact. With that said, however, Fresno State would be an excellent addition. To be honest, I don't know much about UTEP athletics.

(09-10-2009 11:08 AM)Chappy Wrote:  Don't forget: Memphis to the Big East is a done deal.

Since this is a done deal as was reported in the past then maybe Memphis should offer a back up plan of how to win with out CHEATING in case the done deal report falls through.

Cal got what he wanted, Rose got what he wanted, and Memphis got......well Memphis got whacked with the cheating schandle, loss of their wins, loss of their playoff money, and the loss of any chance of being asked to join the BE.

Unless if C-USA has an epic failure of some sort in the near future, there's really nothing to be gained by moving to a non-BCS Mountain West or any other non-BCS program. The best shots for Memphis to make the BCS are for the Big East to split and expand, or for the Big 12 to lose Colorado to the Pac 10.

I forgot about UTEP. They have been bringing in big time programs to play football at the Sun Bowl and are right in the middle of MWC territory.

(09-11-2009 06:23 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  More performances like last week and Memphis might need several backup plans.

That was a horrible showing by the Tigers.They have a bad time with Sun Belt teams anyway but that game was the worst yet.