Ahh, the beauty of hindsight.

While I'm sure the fine folks at the MWC are not fully regretting next year's addition of TCU, I'm sure they may be wondering what life may be like had they now pursued a different course. Not that they knew Mike Price would restore UTEP to untold heights, but still.

Anyway, I'm curious as to what effect, if any, Utah's expected BCS berth will do to any future plans for the MWC to expand. Does this kill off the near-fan-consenus dream MWC that features Fresno St. and others in the ranks? (Come to think of it, does TCU's inclusion mean UTEP might be that much more attractive in the future?!) I imagine it would certainly give pause to anymore changes in the conference line-up, plus they'll want to see how their new TV contract works out with the experimental CSTV. But would having even one more high profile squad like a Fresno St. bolster the conf. image with pollsters to help produce more "Utah"s in the future?



Just batting this around, folks.

How long is Mike Price is going to be at UTEP and what happens if/when he leaves? Current AD Bob Stull parlayed a relatively similar season (1988) into the Missouri job...Garry Nord made UTEP a WAC tri-champ (2000), lost at home to Cal Poly-SLO three years later, and was fired...If Price stays at UTEP, perhaps he can build a semi-consistent program like he did at Washington State, but what is incentive to stay and how long until he retires?

That depends on how many hookers he buys on school accounts.

No impact. The MWC has almost certainly discussed expansion options with CSTV.

Too bad Boise State, Fresno St, and Nevada aren't joing the MWC with TCU. Especially this year. You could have had a Boise State/Utah MWC Championship game. It would have been better than the Big 12 and SEC championship games for sure.

If this 5th BCS bowl comes to be, the MWC is expected to get an automatic bid, the 7th. There would be one additional at-large bid, (3) total.

There has been some mention of this in the news recently as well:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041115/news_1s15bcs.html

And while it's unlikely that the MWC would further expand at this point, Boise St. looks like it would only help their cause. Not a bad 10th team when you factor in it's close proximity to so many MWC schools.

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Of the MWC locations, Only SLC and Provo are within 600 miles of Boise. BSU would make a good competitive addition, though.

Boise, ID to:

Laramie, WY: 565 mi.

Fort Collins, CO: 610 mi.

Las Vegas, NV: 514 mi.

Air miles? Probably.

My shortcut driving distance to Vegas - 633 miles. Believe you me, I'd LOVE to shave 100 miles off that trip, and I'm sure the jackrabbits in the Nevada desert would concur.

Having done Laramie more than once AND often passing through Fort Collins on the way to Denver, 691 and 758 seem about right. Nevada's jackrabbits are more exciting than I-80 through Central Wyoming, BTW.

In the meantime, for s***s and grins, Boise is on the way to helping Nevada (420 miles) with their attendance problem. An official allotment of 5,000 was already sold, and Nevada officials are now telling callers that there are only GA tickets and some singles left.

Yes, air miles.

Keep in mind, all teams fly to games now.

College football sponsors make a lot of money off traveling fans. Most of them DON'T fly. Bigger fan bases will usually get fans who travel farther, purportedly.

MWC should do this: add Boise St, Fresno St, and Nevada. This kills off the WAC. One less thorn in its side. In turn probally gets them a BCS bid. It is equal to the Big East for sure. Gives them a championship game. Which I am sure would give the conference some $, if played in the right venue which I do not think Las Vegas is. Hello Denver.

Mountain West
East
Air Force
Boise State
Colorado State
New Mexico
TCU
Wyoming

West
BYU
Fresno State
Nevada
San Diego State
UNLV
Utah

------------------------------------
Too bad they added TCU, if they got Hawaii instead this would be a much better MWC setup and the schools would be probally be alot more happy.

Mountain West
East
Air Force
BYU
Colorado State
New Mexico
Utah
Wyoming

West
Boise State
Fresno State
Hawaii
Nevada
San Diego St
UNLV

We're all basically in favor of seeing the MWC add BSU. However, Bisonfan is off base in using air miles. Others have correctly surmised that road miles are what foment rivalries.

In other words, how long does it take to drive to the game, BF?

The teams fly there, that's all I can say.

With all of the MWC teams being in large markets there'd be plenty of BSU alumni already living there.

The average fan is not going to drive more than a couple of hours to see a game.

I think BF has been in D2 sports too long.