tute79 wrote:
Even if the AFA / FSU (or others) to BE Football doesn't happen, the WAC should be able to cobble together 8 schools to form a conference, by adding a couple from the Great West.
UTPA would rather be in the SLC, NJIT might pass on the WAC, CSUB may find it easier to play Big West schools as an independent.
UVU would definitely accept an invitation, I think Chaicago State will, since nobody else wants them.
It'll be the Great West that disbands, not the WAC. F
I think the invites for UTPA and UVU and CSUB will be first. Yes UTPA wants to go to the Southland but they're at 11 and New Orleans probably has a leg up on them for spot 12.
As FSA said, NJ Tech is going to get in elsewhere so they're out. If CSUB comes on board it's probably with the expectation that UTPA is as far East as it gets which means Chicago State is probably out.
After they get to 8 they can sit tight and hope no one else leaves. They should work on that D-2 invite for Grand Canyon to get to 9. Then the best case for the WAC is that AFA is invited to the Big East along with Fresno or UNLV. Let's say it's Fresno. Those two and SDSU would then join the WAC giving it 12 members. But many would have reasons to leave/not come.
West
Boise
Idaho - Will need a football home at some point
Seattle - If BYU leaves WCC they probably get the 10th spot
CSUB - May not join if the WAC goes to far East
Fresno/UNLV - Big East may not add another Western member, plus why not go Big West
SDSU - Why leave stable Big West
East
Denver - Could try to jump ship soon before this even has a chance
Air Force - May not join Big East but just replace with FSU/UNLV
UTPA - Will want Southland invite
NMSU - Will need a football home at some point
Utah Valley
Grand Canyon - Would need to upgrade first
Personally, I would like the WAC to fold and have the MWC take the name. Lots of ifs here so I'll go ahead and leave it at that. But yes Tute, the Great West is certainly finished.