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Every one talks about Houston and Utep, to me I would not count out an invite to SMU and Tulsa and work the oklahoma and DFW area with minimal travel and give some central time zone teams. Also, the BCS may push for all AQ conferences to have a Championship game on the next cycle of changes which will move everyone around and CUSA will be picked to death and back filled by WAC reminants and Sunbelt.
If SMU leaves, I see UNT being the choice to replace them. Cusa IS about markets and they may see Denton as the DFW market.
BE
Dallas to Storrs – 1686
Morgantown 1203
Cuse 1510
Pitt 1219
Tampa 1099
Cincy 934
Rutgers 1521
Lville 834
Nova 1463
Average - 1274
New MWC
Dallas to Hawaii – 3800
SD 1362
Wyoming – 940
NM – 640
Boise 1624
Fresno 1558
Reno 1666
Colo St – 839
AFA – 726
UNLV - 1220
Avg – 1303.5, w/o Hawaii – 1026.11
The travel is basically the same. Neither the BE or the MWC makes much sense for TCU geographically
Honestly if Hawaii goes there is no reason for Tech not to go the Sun Belt, other than them not letting us in. This isn't great shakes, but its better than being in what is left of the wac. This would lower the traveling costs and we would have a chance to "win big" due to lesser competition. But keep in mind its going to make recruiting tougher. Unfortunately the Tech leaders apathy for sports has left us in no mans land conference wise.
Houston - Without TCU, no way they go.
UTEP - It's about 50/50. On the one hand, I think Conference USA has really worked out well for them. I think that they like being associated with Texas schools. But I think that their primary rival is and always will be New Mexico and if they have the opportunity to go back into a conference with UNM, I think they at least consider it. From there I think it's a question of what their accountants have to say.
SMU - I would say that there's no way SMU goes, but they may be motivated by the same thing that motivated BYU to leave the MWC and feel the need to do SOMETHING. So I consider it very unlikely, but not impossible. However, SMU leaving doesn't help you because UNT would probably leapfrog everybody as the replacement team in order to keep our toe in the DFW market.
USU - Would go if asked, but probably will not be asked. I think the MWC stays at 10 with an 8-game conference schedule. I think the purpose of asking Hawaii all along was that they knew that they were going to lose TCU and pre-emptively replaced them.
Montana - Wouldn't that be a hoot.
Montana...that's an interesting thought. I think they would jump up given that opportunity.
They would give both of their Grizzlie nutts for that shot.Quote:
Originally Posted by parisdog
I believe this will be a 3 year process and eventially the AQ conferences will all have to have a conference Championship game. That will require the Big east to add teams, probably from Cusa east, and the big 12-2 to add 2+ teams probably Cusa west which will give many openings in Cusa. I think that MWC believes that and will go to 12 now and Cusa will work to stay at 12.
Certainly not as far as wins & losses are concerned, although Men's BB did go dancing last season for the first time since leaving the WAC.Quote:
Originally Posted by parialex
Quote:
Originally Posted by frogdog
Agreed. Besides, isn't that how this (conference re-alignment) all started? Staying at 9 or 10 for even scheduling won't make sense.
MWC will go to 12. UTEP will be one that is invited. SMU will not be and would want to stay with Tulsa, Rice, and Tulane, anyway. Tech will go to CUSA in UTEP's place.
HOWEVER, this is just the beginning. I disagree that this is the last chance - as someone stated early in this thread. There will be even more changes this Summer.
Agreed........Quote:
Originally Posted by frogdog
Quote:
Originally Posted by parisdog
And thumb their nose at Benson as they drive past Denver... :laugh:
I'm no insider but I have been privy to a discussion amongst the higher ups in our Athletic administration that UNT is preparing for a big political push for a CUSA spot if one becomes available. I wish we had politicos in BR that cared enough about Tech to get involved on our behalf.
Well, if it was OUR administration that you have been privy to the discussion of, it means that they know what they need to do to offset it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Brasky
UNT offers market and a absolutely horrible football program. We can compete with that - even with their new stadium. D.R. and BVDV just need to spring into action and it sounds like they will, since they know what UNT is doing. Plus, we have a good friend in SMU and Rice to keep UNT where they are.