Idaho and New Mexico State...what do you do?

As of this writing, it now appears that the football WAC is down to two members, and that does not a conference make.  What do do now?  Idaho could go back to the FCS and the Big Sky Conference, but the football program is making money and Idaho would have to drop other sports programs, most likely women's sports programs, to make a move back to the Big Sky work.

I have not taken the time to examine New Mexico State's finances, but I suspect that they are similar to Idaho.  Dropping to the FCS would cost New Mexico State's athletic department money and scholarships and they would drop women's sports programs to save money as there will be a loss in football scholarships.

It is in the best interest of athletics in these schools to maintain their sports program at the FBS level.  They need to find a way to maintain the profile, rather than allowing themselves to be hung out to dry through all of this.  But understand that this is what happens when programs are allowed to linger in mediocrity for several years, and therefore, it one could not say that this is completely undeserved.

With that caveat, here is a possible solution for them:

1.  Merge the WAC with the Big Sky Conference in all sports expect for football.  NMSU can partner with Northern Arizona where Idaho can partner with Idaho State.  The odd man out in a 15-member BSC basketball would be Weber State

BBall Travel Partners

UNC--DU
NSMU--UND
NAU--SUU
ISU--UID--WSU
UMT--MSU
EWU--SEA
PSU-SAC

1b.  New Mexico State and Idaho compete in the FBS as independents, with scheduling agreements with BYU, the PAC-12 and Sun Belt Conferences.  Condition: Idaho/NMSU/BYU/Big Sky/WAC retain right to place team in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

2.  Sponsor Men/Women's Swimming and Diving.

3.  Split the conference by FBS ready vs. non-FBS ready:

Ready for FBS now, based upon facilities.

Montana
Montana State
Northern Arizona
Sacramento State
Weber State

4.  By 2016: Invite North Dakota State and South Dakota State, for a new 9-member conference, that can take the Western Athletic Conference name, but under a new charter.  Charter members:

Idaho
Montana
Montana State
New Mexico State
North Dakota State
Northern Arizona
Sacramento State
South Dakota State
Weber State

4b: Invite Utah Valley on the condition that they start football by 2017.  Otherwise the invite goes to Central Washington.

4c: This is who remains in the Big Sky Conference and why:

Eastern Washington: Football Stadium not big enough, do not sponsor enough sports.
Denver: No football.
Idaho State: Football Stadium not big enough, do not sponsor enough sports.
North Dakota: Football Stadium too small.
Portland State: Not enough sports programs.
Southern Utah: Facilities not large enough
Seattle: No Football.
Utah Valley: New to football. (Or Central WA)

Note: It would be better if Portland State can move instead of Weber State, but the Vikings must sponsor more sports.

Football-only members:
Cal-Poly: Football stadium too small
UC Davis: Football stadium to small

5.  Any of the other schools remaining in the Big Sky can join the new WAC with a 75% vote.  Other new WAC invitees must have a 90% vote.