(12-03-2023 03:29 PM)Once a Knight... Wrote: Also wouldn't top MWC members be willing to join OSU/WSU and leave the fat from the bottom of the MWC? That seems mutually beneficial versus having a full merge or what have you.
Sent from my LM-G820 using CSNbbs mobile app
First and foremost, I will say that I feel that a full merger will happen more than any other scenario and expect that to be announced after the 2025 season when THE MWC/PAC renegotiates their TV deal.
However the only reason I hope this happens is because it gives Montana and MSU a chance to get invited up to FBS. If the PAC2 was going to Convince ANY teams from the MWC to move they'd have to have $$, Markets and Brands could probably accomplish that:
-Add Boise, SDSU, Fresno, CSU, UNLV, SJSU (Bay Area Market) and Hawaii (New TZ, Football only so could pay a half share or less and get Gonzaga to offset and garuntees 8 Conference games).
-Remaining 5 MWC teams backfill with NMSU, UTEP and then add best FCS options possible:
Nevada, Wyoming, Air Force, Utah State, New Mexico, NMSU, UTEP, Montana, MSU, Idaho
-At this point I'd like to go with this to get to 12 teams:
NDSU + SDSU: Gives you known FCS powerhouses/giant slayers and add some more recognition to the Conference, also adds a new TZ for game times and more exposure.
Geographically, it wouldn't be a terrible Conference, vast majority of teams are in the Mountain TZ with 2 Pacific and 2 Central teams. If needed down the road could explore adding North and South Dakota as well to get to 14.