The TV contract is getting better because CBScollege has picked it up making it available nationwide. It's not ESPN mind you but it's better. Besides, as far as The MWC being better than the WAC, I'm talking about the quality of the sports being played. The MWC consistantly gets more than one team in the Big Dance and at least UNLV has won games the last couple of years. Right now there is a play-in game for the bottom seed in the MWC tourney. Adding UNR could make two divisions. A northern division including Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado State, Air Force, and either BYU or Utah, and a southern Division including San Diego St, TCU (remember them?), New Mexico, UNLV and again either Utah or BYU.
It's a rivalry, even though I think the cannon will probably be staying up north for a while
I frequent the Boise football boards and they have been talking about a move to the MWC for quite some time. Granted, they have had a premier mid-major football program since 2000. But if you look at all sports (hoops in particular) I think Nevada would have just as much to offer if not more. From what I read over there, the MWC would want Boise as their first choice to join the conference. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Boise would be a huge add but on the Baskeball side I think Nevada would represent better. I would take both in a heartbeat but Boise is a little outside of the "Mountain West" area. Then again, so it TCU
As far as the mwc being better than the wac? I whole heartedly disagree. Your first point... "The MWC consistantly gets more than one team in the Big Dance and at least UNLV has won games the last couple of years. " Correct me if i am wrong but the wac has gotten two teams in the dance 13 of the last 15 years, I would say that is pretty consistant. And while the MWC has had success in CFB there success certainly does not overshadow the WAC. I believe the WAC has had two BCS berths to the MWC one, and while i am not disputing that the top half of the WAC is far supperior to the bottom half i would never go as far as to say that the WAC is inferior to the MWC.
I think the MWC is more balanced, with a lot of good teams, but when the WAC gets good teams, they are NATIONALLY good teams. Last year Nevada was in the top 25 and Ithink they even broke the top ten at one point. This year for WAC basketball was a bad year not because there were no good teams, but because the top 4 teams were all so competitive, it was a toss up in every game as to who would win. Football wise, Boise State vs. Oklahoma will be remembered nationally as one of the best college football moments of all time, and Hawaii was ranked nationally this year, going undefeated in the regular season(forget the bowls...). It was amazing in the early 90's when UNLV won the national champonship, but recently i would say the two conferences are about even.
If I had the power to change the world I would change the divisions completely. This new conference would be made up of these teams:
Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico St., Utah St.
BYU, AF, UNLV, Colorado State, Utah, New Mexico, San Diego St.
West: Nevada, UNLV, Fresno State, San Diego St., New Mexico, New Mexico St.
East: BYU, Utah St., Utah, Boise State, Colorado St., Air Force
This format gives us the best chances for current and future rivalries. The west has the Nevada, California, New Mexico connections.
In the East we have the Utah and Colorado rivals. Boise being near Utah and somewhat close to Colorado would develop rivals.
No offense intended to other schools it's not necessarily because they are bad but just too far away for travel. Everyone who enjoys going to Hawaii to play a game raise your hands.
From top to bottom this new league would be tough to win year in and year out in football or basketball although the west, admitadely would be easier than the east in football for the first couple of years but with Fresno, New Mexico, and Nevada would hold their own. As for a name? I don't know how about the intermountain conference. IMC. Just a thought.
