WAC Expansion, Why Not Weber State?

Weber State Athletic Profile

-Market: Ogden/Clearfield/Layton population 550,000
-Student Body: 25,000 Undergraduates
-Academic Ranking: #56 Regional, West Region, US News and World Report
-Mascot: Wildcats
-Colors: Purple, White and Black
-Sports Sponsored:
     Men's: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Tennis, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field
     Women's:  Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Tennis, Soccer, Softball, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, Volleyball
-Facilities:
     Football Stadium: Stewart Stadium Capacity 17,300
     Basketball Court: Dee Events Center Capacity 12,000
-Financial: Sports programs are profitable.

Concerns:
1.  Utah already has 3 FBS programs  (Brigham Young, Utah, Utah State) and a population just under 3,000,000.  Is there room for another FBS program?  Utah's population growth have been over 20% for the past two decades and likely to continue to be one of the fastest growing in the union.  The three counties in the Ogden metro (Weber, Davis and Morgan) are receiving a big portion of that growth.
2.  Too close to Utah State.  It is said that Utah State would block the admission of Weber State to the WAC.  This topic will be addressed further in a future blog, but the proximity between Weber State and Utah State may be more of an advantage to both schools than a disadvantage.  Plus, it would generate a new rivalry.  The WAC already has a foothold in this market and has since the conference was organized back in the 60s.
3.  Facilities.  The football stadium would need a facelift and an expansion if WSU were to move up.  Some of this has already started.  Field turf is being installed and there will be restroom and concession upgrades included.
4.  Attendance at football games has been weak.  

Bonuses
1.  Street and Smith ranks WSU as the #51 all time basketball program.  This puts them ahead of everyone left in the WAC.  (Sorry Utah State fans.  You are at #82.  Likely NCAA tournament success is the difference.  But head to head, Utah State has an advantage.)
2.  BYU would definitely schedule WSU in football including games in Ogden if Weber moves up.  Utah likely would do so as well.  This would bring large crowds to the game.
3.  Weber State receives generous support from the Ogden Business Community.

Conclusion
Attendance would likely not be an issue should Weber State move to the FBS, with some smart scheduling.  The only real question is whether or not Utah State can live with themselves having Weber State in the same conference.  Weber can add Swimming for women and be FBS and Title IX compliant.  If WAC survival were not at stake, it would be easy to pass on Weber State.  But these are not ordinary times.  This can work if WSU and it's boosters are willing to invest to expand Stewart Stadium to 30,000+ and modernize it.  And if WSU can schedule regular games against BYU and Utah.  BYU, being independent, will need teams to play in November and WSU and the WAC should be willing to accommodate.