Mountain West dangerously close to dissolving

[Buxcies]

Well, it looks like the Mountain West will survive with UNLV and Air Force publicly committing. My guess is the Pac-X adds Texas State and mayyyyyybe UCONN for football only. The Mountain West adds UTEP/NMSU, and/or potentially dipping into FCS.

The Sun Belt is at 14 teams so it makes sense to add one school to replace Texas State. They have their pick from Conference USA. Conference USA is currently at 10 with Missouri State and Delaware coming in next year so they don't necessarily need to add any replacements. Even with 3 defections they'd still be at 9 so they either stand still or bring up another FCS team.

[BCPanther]

Well, it looks like the Mountain West will survive with UNLV and Air Force publicly committing. My guess is the Pac-X adds Texas State and mayyyyyybe UCONN for football only. The Mountain West adds UTEP/NMSU, and/or potentially dipping into FCS.

The Sun Belt is at 14 teams so it makes sense to add one school to replace Texas State. They have their pick from Conference USA. Conference USA is currently at 10 with Missouri State and Delaware coming in next year so they don't necessarily need to add any replacements. Even with 3 defections they'd still be at 9 so they either stand still or bring up another FCS team.

Have to figure that the Sun Belt takes either Liberty or WKU.

CUSA has kind of reached the end of potential FCS callups unless they go shopping in the EKU, Austin Peay, SFA, Tarleton, Chattanooga $3 bin at the back of the store.

[IllinoisState]

Hawaii just confirmed their commitment to the MWC. Let's see if NMSU and UTEP join.

[BCPanther]

Hawaii just confirmed their commitment to the MWC. Let's see if NMSU and UTEP join.

I'd be surprised if they don't. Geography is much better and CUSA doesn't really want them anyway.

[IllinoisState]

Hawaii just confirmed their commitment to the MWC. Let's see if NMSU and UTEP join.

I'd be surprised if they don't. Geography is much better and CUSA doesn't really want them anyway.

Yeah, but UNM will probably have a fit. They have done their best to keep them both, but especially NMSU, away.

[VUGrad1314]

If it's take them or lose your league UNM has no choice. They will come around. It's the only move that makes sense. FCS Schools don't help against a hard minimum and the P4 is already starting to hem and haw about additional FCS Callups. I do think Texas State goes PAC and UTEP and NMSU go MWC. Sun Belt Replaces Texas State with Missouri State CUSA looks at adding some combo of Tarleton State Eastern Kentucky Abeline Christian (I think they would have the money for this move and possibly even the desire to play with other Texas schools No one wants to be the one responsible for the end of the WAC but if multiple schools move as a group no one's at fault.) Austin Peay North Alabama or Central Arkansas (these last three are the least likely for geographical and financial reasons since Middle Tennessee would likely block Austin Peay and Jacksonville State would likely block North Alabama). I'm not sure if they have the money for FCS anyway. Only reason I think EKU finally has a shot at getting in is because I think there is real smoke on WKU to the MAC. The MAC Commissioner was at the game and they need a 14th. I think WKU is tired of the instability in Conference USA and wants a more stable home which the MAC provides with probably better football or at least as good.

So:

Texas State to PAC
UTEP and NMSU to MWC
Missouri State to SBC
WKU to MAC
Tarleton State Abeline Christian and EKU to CUSA*

*CUSA could pre-emptively add more for defensive reasons but this is unlikely. Since CUSA is losing 4 they could look to add a 4th out of the pool I mentioned earlier but since I can't definitvely say which one makes sense I left it blank. Utah Schools in the WAC could go to Big Sky if BSC will take them Utah Valley might even start a team to get an invite especially with all the in state competition that would be coming in and already exists. Though if there is a 3 school exodus from the ASUN-WAC union, they may remain so as not to be responsible for leaving the other left behinds in a lurch.

Remaining CUSA Schools get another windfall of entrance and exit fees as they continue to bide their time for potential openings in the AAC down the line.

[tribecalledquest]

Hawaii just confirmed their commitment to the MWC. Let's see if NMSU and UTEP join.

I'd be surprised if they don't. Geography is much better and CUSA doesn't really want them anyway.

Yeah, but UNM will probably have a fit. They have done their best to keep them both, but especially NMSU, away.

Great point. I don’t see how NMST gets in as long as New Mexico is in the league.

[VUGrad1314]

They... May not have a choice since they need 8 full FBS members quickly. If they don't get Texas State UTEP and NMSU are realistically their only options.

[IllinoisState]

I wonder if NIU and Toledo being mentioned is meant to worry Texas State and make them finally choose and that's why no formal offer has been made.

[TylerDurden]

Gonzaga to the 2Pac

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... ources-say