UTEP trade (?) nixed

Little has been said around here on a little discussion, where little was said — late last year: Conference USA was apparently wondering if it could join forces with the Mountain West.

Basically, C-USA wanted UTEP to join the present Mountain West teams in what would be the western division. That would have been good for UTEP, which is so far away from the rest of C-USA that travel costs have to be a concern.

Another caveat could have been that C-USA has a slightly better TV deal than does the Mountain West.

But the Mountain West didn't bite, and who can blame Commissioner Craig Thompson.
He was quoted by Russ Oates of SB-Nation (blog): "Their interest was more of a combined big old league of 20-some-plus institutions, where we're interested in effectively changing the postseason."
He meant that the Mountain West is seeking a spot in the BCS.

I'm still saying UTEP's best, most-comfortable and safest spot regarding it's future is in the Mountain West.

Somehow, UTEP must cozy up to the MWC because it could be left "way out here" if bigger conferences take away C-USA schools SMU and Houston in the next round of conference realignment.

 

Comments

[shyminer]

Joe you need to look into, whether it was the MWC that actually contacted UTEP about joining the conference.

[pj]

the bcs is ruining college sports to where the regional rivalries will be gone.Come on who is interested in TCU and Rutgers,or Syracuse.Big money is ruining college sports.Houston,ucf,Kansas,Tcu in the big least sucks.They should keep the conferences regional.I like the Utep vs the c-usa Texas teams,tulsa,or tulane,but could care less about the games against east carolina,or marshall.Utep,the texas teams,tulsa and some other teams need to restart the southwest conference again.

[Willard Shmekel]

PJ - That's exactly what I was thinking. The current conference alignment totally sucks in terms of killing off natural rivalries. I know it's just a dream, but a reborn Southwest Conference would be great:
Houston
UTEP
SMU
Tulsa
Tulane
New Mexico (if the Mountain West breaks up)
Air Force (same as above)
Colorado State (same as above)

Other possibilities:
NMSU (I know, a real weakling)
North Texas (a move up from the Sunbelt Conference)

[Dayton Flyer]

Invites by the MWC are offered based on football success. Hence Boise, Nevada, Fresno and Hawaii getting invites. Five winning seasons since 1970 isn't invite worthy.

[Ugg Boots Outlet]

It's good to hear Chico's still around and coming out with a new cd soon. I've been a fan of the brother for a while now and was glad you mentioned his first hit, "Talk to Me".

[Adrian]

Joe

I couldn't agree more. UTEP's move to CUSA was the worst thing they could have done.

If they had stayed in the WAC, they might have had a chance at the MWC.

Our only chance of ever getting recognized is begging the MWC to let us in.

[Dave]

The MWC will never get invited to the BCS! Case closed!!!!... All the better teams have let or will soon.

[Adrian]

The MWC may never get a BCS bid but one thing is for sure, It is a better football conference than CUSA.

In the last few years, they have had several BCS teams which translates into millions for every team in the conference.

CUSA has had zero.

[Best Jerseys]

Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise

[red bottom heel]

I follow you VIA GFC and I love your blog!

[טויוטה פריוס]

Their interest was more in a big, old league institutions, I interested in effectively changing Postseason.

[SMSF Administration]

I am a first year student here at UTEP. I've heard all kinds of negative things about the campus and life here in El Paso but as far as I can see everything that was said was wrong and far fetched.

[arginine]

It shouldn't be that technical for other users.