(08-22-2022 08:47 PM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(08-22-2022 07:44 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(08-22-2022 06:49 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Does UTEP gain credibility with the Mountain West with a sellout to open the season followed by a good year in FB and BB??

Would future MW adds include the Miners because of this new momentum?

NO merger talk--- I am only referring to MW adding UTEP only.

Miner fans--- any thoughts?

It would have to be a situation where the MWC lost a team or 3. If only San Diego State is lost, and there is plenty of speculation about that, and UTEP has a solid year with 30k plus avg attendance and the mbb team does well, there is a reasonable chance of UTEP getting an invite. The MWC would much rather have a Texas school in a really big market and a hotbed for recruiting but most of those were snapped up by the AAC.

I think NMSU is about to have a football revival and if two openings occur in the MWC it could be the Aggies and Miners heading west. Good rivalry and a twofer for other sports.

(08-22-2022 09:20 PM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(08-22-2022 08:47 PM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(08-22-2022 07:44 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(08-22-2022 06:49 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Does UTEP gain credibility with the Mountain West with a sellout to open the season followed by a good year in FB and BB??

Would future MW adds include the Miners because of this new momentum?

NO merger talk--- I am only referring to MW adding UTEP only.

Miner fans--- any thoughts?

It would have to be a situation where the MWC lost a team or 3. If only San Diego State is lost, and there is plenty of speculation about that, and UTEP has a solid year with 30k plus avg attendance and the mbb team does well, there is a reasonable chance of UTEP getting an invite. The MWC would much rather have a Texas school in a really big market and a hotbed for recruiting but most of those were snapped up by the AAC.

I think NMSU is about to have a football revival and if two openings occur in the MWC it could be the Aggies and Miners heading west. Good rivalry and a twofer for other sports.

UTEP is attractive af if you start looking at FBS schools ready for next level expansion. If sports was better you would be a good candidate for the Pac 12.

PAC 12 UTEP? That is a wild idea.

(08-23-2022 05:53 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  PAC 12 UTEP? That is a wild idea.

They qualify academically as a R1 University. They have a population center. A large student base. They simply lack the sporting success of recent note.

The PAC 12 has a rule of no non AAU or R1 Universities. They made an exception for Utah though.

(08-23-2022 09:30 PM)#1 pick Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 05:53 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  PAC 12 UTEP? That is a wild idea.

They qualify academically as a R1 University. They have a population center. A large student base. They simply lack the sporting success of recent note.

The PAC 12 has a rule of no non AAU or R1 Universities. They made an exception for Utah though.

I don't agree with you often, but I don't think this is as far-fetched as many people think. For all of the reasons listed above plus they have the facilities to do it.

The one thing that they would have to do is significantly increase their budget from $33,700,000 and change. Could they get the support and donations to double that budget? I don't know. I think they could if either the B12 or PAC12 said to them, "Psst. You have an invite waiting if you can increase your budget to $X."

I hope things shake out for UTEP one day. I've always like the Miners and they are past due to catch a break from the "football gods".

Maybe I'm too shortsighted. However, I don't think that there is any real likelihood MWC (or any significant part of it) and CUSA (and any significant part of it) merge. At most, I can see the possibility of NMSU and UTEP leaving CUSA and joining MWC. But that only occurs if the PAC is further raided resulting in a couple of MWC teams (i.e. SDSU, Boise, Utah ST,, Colo State) going to the PAC.

I say we just stay at nine and see where (and when) the dominoes fall.

(08-25-2022 06:54 AM)BlueRaiderBoy Wrote:  Maybe I'm too shortsighted. However, I don't think that there is any real likelihood MWC (or any significant part of it) and CUSA (and any significant part of it) merge. At most, I can see the possibility of NMSU and UTEP leaving CUSA and joining MWC. But that only occurs if the PAC is further raided resulting in a couple of MWC teams (i.e. SDSU, Boise, Utah ST,, Colo State) going to the PAC.

I say we just stay at nine and see where (and when) the dominoes fall.

If, and it is a big IF, UTEP and NMSU somehow went to the MWC, CUSA would replace them within minutes. Not a big deal. If it happened a few years down the road and both schools were doing really well athletically, there would be a bit more impact.

I would say that at the moment, if WKU and MTSU left the conference it would have more of an impact although all of our schools can be replaced.

I'm actually looking for to the new 9. It's going to be an interesting league, especially if we somewhat of a decent media contract.

(08-25-2022 09:55 AM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 06:54 AM)BlueRaiderBoy Wrote:  Maybe I'm too shortsighted. However, I don't think that there is any real likelihood MWC (or any significant part of it) and CUSA (and any significant part of it) merge. At most, I can see the possibility of NMSU and UTEP leaving CUSA and joining MWC. But that only occurs if the PAC is further raided resulting in a couple of MWC teams (i.e. SDSU, Boise, Utah ST,, Colo State) going to the PAC.

I say we just stay at nine and see where (and when) the dominoes fall.

If, and it is a big IF, UTEP and NMSU somehow went to the MWC, CUSA would replace them within minutes. Not a big deal. If it happened a few years down the road and both schools were doing really well athletically, there would be a bit more impact.

I would say that at the moment, if WKU and MTSU left the conference it would have more of an impact although all of our schools can be replaced.

I'm actually looking for to the new 9. It's going to be an interesting league, especially if we somewhat of a decent media contract.

I hope you either both leave or both stay. Having you both in makes travel easier for Olympic sports (don't even have to change hotels) and I'm sure it is better on you having a close neighbor in the conference. It would tighten the footprint if y'all both left and we added SFA and Kennesaw, but I'm not praying the MWC calls you.

(08-25-2022 11:37 AM)AssKickingChicken Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 09:55 AM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 06:54 AM)BlueRaiderBoy Wrote:  Maybe I'm too shortsighted. However, I don't think that there is any real likelihood MWC (or any significant part of it) and CUSA (and any significant part of it) merge. At most, I can see the possibility of NMSU and UTEP leaving CUSA and joining MWC. But that only occurs if the PAC is further raided resulting in a couple of MWC teams (i.e. SDSU, Boise, Utah ST,, Colo State) going to the PAC.

I say we just stay at nine and see where (and when) the dominoes fall.

If, and it is a big IF, UTEP and NMSU somehow went to the MWC, CUSA would replace them within minutes. Not a big deal. If it happened a few years down the road and both schools were doing really well athletically, there would be a bit more impact.

I would say that at the moment, if WKU and MTSU left the conference it would have more of an impact although all of our schools can be replaced.

I'm actually looking for to the new 9. It's going to be an interesting league, especially if we somewhat of a decent media contract.

I hope you either both leave or both stay. Having you both in makes travel easier for Olympic sports (don't even have to change hotels) and I'm sure it is better on you having a close neighbor in the conference. It would tighten the footprint if y'all both left and we added SFA and Kennesaw, but I'm not praying the MWC calls you.

I've wanted a conference with a western border on the Mississippi river for a long time, no disrespect to UTEP(or NMSU) but in CUSA 3.0(as well as the brief period MT and NMSU were in the SBC together) the distance between MT and North Texas was roughly equal to the distance between North Texas and UTEP/NMSU.

But having both is indeed better than having just one of them.

(08-25-2022 06:54 AM)BlueRaiderBoy Wrote:  Maybe I'm too shortsighted. However, I don't think that there is any real likelihood MWC (or any significant part of it) and CUSA (and any significant part of it) merge. At most, I can see the possibility of NMSU and UTEP leaving CUSA and joining MWC. But that only occurs if the PAC is further raided resulting in a couple of MWC teams (i.e. SDSU, Boise, Utah ST,, Colo State) going to the PAC.

I say we just stay at nine and see where (and when) the dominoes fall.

(08-25-2022 12:30 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 11:37 AM)AssKickingChicken Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 09:55 AM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(08-25-2022 06:54 AM)BlueRaiderBoy Wrote:  Maybe I'm too shortsighted. However, I don't think that there is any real likelihood MWC (or any significant part of it) and CUSA (and any significant part of it) merge. At most, I can see the possibility of NMSU and UTEP leaving CUSA and joining MWC. But that only occurs if the PAC is further raided resulting in a couple of MWC teams (i.e. SDSU, Boise, Utah ST,, Colo State) going to the PAC.

I say we just stay at nine and see where (and when) the dominoes fall.

If, and it is a big IF, UTEP and NMSU somehow went to the MWC, CUSA would replace them within minutes. Not a big deal. If it happened a few years down the road and both schools were doing really well athletically, there would be a bit more impact.

I would say that at the moment, if WKU and MTSU left the conference it would have more of an impact although all of our schools can be replaced.

I'm actually looking for to the new 9. It's going to be an interesting league, especially if we somewhat of a decent media contract.

I hope you either both leave or both stay. Having you both in makes travel easier for Olympic sports (don't even have to change hotels) and I'm sure it is better on you having a close neighbor in the conference. It would tighten the footprint if y'all both left and we added SFA and Kennesaw, but I'm not praying the MWC calls you.

I've wanted a conference with a western border on the Mississippi river for a long time, no disrespect to UTEP(or NMSU) but in CUSA 3.0(as well as the brief period MT and NMSU were in the SBC together) the distance between MT and North Texas was roughly equal to the distance between North Texas and UTEP/NMSU.

But having both is indeed better than having just one of them.

AGREE with BOTH these comments!!

As long as Middle and WKU stay in CUSA, I see no reason for JSU to want anything different. Would take a UAB or Memphis wanting to join for me to want an add or merge right now. Dont see either happening anytime soon.

Maybe I've been unaware of trends and economies of scale. P5 folks are talking of going to 2 or 3 mega conferences. They have the money and media deals to do so-- which G5 does not.

So... because of that-- my opinion has been that G5 would stay G-FIVE. On the other hand could possibly the MEGA conference model happen?? The SBC has hinted at going to 16 and (I think) even mentioned 18 once. The AAC could be at sixteen. The MAC and MW "only" have twelve.

Even twenty team leagues have been mentioned. It sounds far-fetched. But if big changes are made in D1 transformation and P?-number schools decide to take the "G" leagues with them to the new CFP organization model for all of FBS-- then anything could happen.

The money would have to be enough to at least be at the current level per team.

There are 61 "G" teams now in conferences.

If two dropped down (because of additional requir.'s) and three got moved up that would leave about 56.

You could make two 18 team leagues and one twenty team conference.

THREE G leagues. G3?

Impossible? I used to think so-- now... who knows?

Maybe G4 is more likely.

Here's a CRAZY list for 'ya:

The new----- MOUNTAIN WEST

EAST DIVISION

LIBERTY
FIU
JSU
MT
WKU
LA TECH
SHSU

WEST DIVISION

UTEP
NMSU
NEVADA
UTAH ST
WYOMING
SJSU
HAWAII (FB ONLY)

Play in division as much as possible to save on travel.

C-USA merges as thread title suggests. G4.

(never happen)

(08-25-2022 10:55 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Maybe I've been unaware of trends and economies of scale. P5 folks are talking of going to 2 or 3 mega conferences. They have the money and media deals to do so-- which G5 does not.

So... because of that-- my opinion has been that G5 would stay G-FIVE. On the other hand could possibly the MEGA conference model happen?? The SBC has hinted at going to 16 and (I think) even mentioned 18 once. The AAC could be at sixteen. The MAC and MW "only" have twelve.

Even twenty team leagues have been mentioned. It sounds far-fetched. But if big changes are made in D1 transformation and P?-number schools decide to take the "G" leagues with them to the new CFP organization model for all of FBS-- then anything could happen.

The money would have to be enough to at least be at the current level per team.

There are 61 "G" teams now in conferences.

If two dropped down (because of additional requir.'s) and three got moved up that would leave about 56.

You could make two 18 team leagues and one twenty team conference.

THREE G leagues. G3?

Impossible? I used to think so-- now... who knows?

Maybe G4 is more likely.

If there is a power conference breakaway there will be current P5 members left behind, I think all that remains to be seen is what the ~80-90 left standing will do. How much will people even care? Especially former P5 members?

(07-22-2022 01:42 AM)TroyTBoy Wrote:  The MWC is in danger of losing up to 6 schools if the Pac 12 gets poached again for 4 more teams.

If the MWC loses that many teams, it's a real possibility they may merge with CUSA. Commissioner Thompson brought it up today.

It said another Conference, not Conference USA.

(08-27-2022 08:26 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(07-22-2022 01:42 AM)TroyTBoy Wrote:  The MWC is in danger of losing up to 6 schools if the Pac 12 gets poached again for 4 more teams.

If the MWC loses that many teams, it's a real possibility they may merge with CUSA. Commissioner Thompson brought it up today.

It said another Conference, not Conference USA.

Obviously it's the SEC

(08-27-2022 08:30 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(08-27-2022 08:26 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(07-22-2022 01:42 AM)TroyTBoy Wrote:  The MWC is in danger of losing up to 6 schools if the Pac 12 gets poached again for 4 more teams.

If the MWC loses that many teams, it's a real possibility they may merge with CUSA. Commissioner Thompson brought it up today.

It said another Conference, not Conference USA.

Obviously it's the SEC

Right....no...lol. But he could be talking about the AAC. Personally, I don't think the MWC is in any trouble of losing that many teams. If the PAC 12 lost 8 more schools the remaining two schools would join the MWC.........or the MWC schools and the two remaining PAC 12 schools form a new PAC 12 with Thompson leading it.

(08-26-2022 06:57 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Here's a CRAZY list for 'ya:

The new----- MOUNTAIN WEST

EAST DIVISION

LIBERTY
FIU
JSU
MT
WKU
LA TECH
SHSU

WEST DIVISION

UTEP
NMSU
NEVADA
UTAH ST
WYOMING
SJSU
HAWAII (FB ONLY)

Play in division as much as possible to save on travel.

C-USA merges as thread title suggests. G4.

(never happen)

Accepting, as you said, that this would never happen... While this wouldn't be an awful scenario, I think a merger would overcomplicate things.

The "MWC EAST" could remain "Conference USA".

The "MWC WEST" would simply be the MWC.

Two separate conferences.

While both would be on the small side at 7 teams (6 for MWC in non-football sports), if this were to come to pass, there would be expansion opportunities available which would likely be more attractive than a merger.

CUSA could add 2-5 more teams (over time) and become a very strong southeastern-based regional conference. I won't list the expansion candidates again, but it's the usual suspects we all know and love. Expansion would come in two phases to limit the number of teams in transition in any given year.

Best of luck to the MWC teams, but their future wouldn't really concern me, so no speculation how they'd fix their number problem.