I've seen a recent report, and this should interest BYU fans who read this blog, that a new plan has emerged for Big 12. Notre Dame may join the Big 12 for all sports except football. Notre Dame prefers to remain independent in Football.
BYU fans may like this. Who would balance out the Big 12 in football? BYU, of course. The Cougars would compete in the Big 12 in football, have BCS access, and have their other sports in the WCC. The Sunday play issue would not come into play. For Notre Dame and Cougar fans, they may both get what they want.
How does this affect what is left of the WAC? It comes down to Denver. It is no secret that Denver prefers the all-private WCC as a conference home. The WCC, however, may not wish to expand beyond 10 schools. ESPN reported yesterday that Denver is trying to convince the remaining WAC members to remain together in Basketball and snatch up Utah Valley and CS Bakersfield. That would bring the WAC to 7 members and they could keep their automatic NCAA bid.
This would be good news for the Wolverine fans who won the Great West Conference Championship this last season, but had to settle for the CBI tournament. Their baseball team is tearing it up this year, but no automatic bid to the NCAA baseball tournament, however, I do not see the NCAA passing up on the Wolverines in baseball this season.
However, for this to work, the WAC would probably need to convince at least one more school to come on board in case the Big East fails and Boise State decides to return to the Mountain West Conference. Due to the problems the WAC has had with stability, the only thing that the WAC has to offer right now is the automatic bid. The WAC, therefore, is probably not going to be able to talk anyone out of the Summit League or the Southland Conference, even if there is a better geographical fit in the WAC.
An 8th member may provide stability to the WAC. Texas Pan-American is with Utah Valley in the Great West, and may be interested in moving just to ensure a good season will result in a NCAA tournament bid. There is also an eastern orientation in what is now the Great West Conference. UTPA may find it easier to travel to Seattle than to travel to Howard (Washington DC) or New Jersey Tech.
Otherwise, the WAC may want to approach a Division II school looking to upgrade. UC San Diego or Cal State San Bernardino may be looking for a Division I home. They may prefer the Big West to the WAC, but the Big West, like with CS Bakersfield, may not be interested. Maybe Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Fairbanks are interested in Division I. How about Western Washington or Simon Fraser? Perhaps the WAC should expand well beyond 8 schools to ensure stability and keep others from bolting.
The question then remains, what about Idaho and New Mexico State and their football programs? My hunch is that Idaho will join the Big Sky for football or compete as an FCS independent. New Mexico State may become a football-only member of the Sun Belt Conference or a football-only member of the Southland Conference.
The next step for the WAC is to ensure that they will have a stable basketball conference and recognize that football is perhaps a lost cause at best at least for the present.
ESPN article
Big 12 expansion article
3 comments:
That report is garbage. ND isn't moving its non-FB sports. If it does ever switch conference it will only be when FB finally joins a conference, and it won't be to the Big12.
Like the blog. Interesting take on the Notre Dame thing. Hadn't heard it. But as a BYU season ticket holder the suns seems to be setting on anything but perpetual independence.
Have to agree with the dreaded bronco here. No way ND goes to the XII.
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