Fixin’ College Football: Shuffling the Conferences (9/11)

Mountain West
Established 1999
9 Teams
7 States
Longest Distance Between Schools: 1135 Miles (San Diego State and TCU)

Air Force
BYU
Colorado State
New Mexico
San Diego State
TCU
UNLV
Utah
Wyoming

The Mountain West conference is right on the cusp of having the same level of talent as some BCS conferences and will undoubtedly become the seventh BCS conference within a few years, even though the MWC's proposal was unsuccessful this year. And with a few changes, not only will the MWC have to be admitted as a BCS conference but could easily become the third best conference in America in terms of depth and elite talent. The MWC has been on the steady rise in recent years, never more evident than last season. Utah shocked Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to cap off an undefeated season and raise serious national championship talk among the Utes, TCU finished 11-2 with its only losses coming to the hands of Oklahoma (and held the Sooners to a regular-season low of 35 points) and Utah, and BYU finished 10-3 including a 59-0 shellacking of UCLA. The MWC had 5 of its 9 teams finish over .500 and was one of only three conferences in the country to have at least three teams finish with double-digit wins (Big 12 and SEC being the others).

But don't let the elite teams in the MWC fool you; the rest of the conference is pretty solid itself. Air Force finished fourth in the conference at 8-5, Colorado State finished 7-6 including wins over Houston and Fresno State, UNLV defeated BCS-conference foes (15) Arizona State and Iowa State in consecutive weeks, New Mexico defeated Arizona, Wyoming won at Tennessee to stun the Volunteers, and even San Diego State gave Notre Dame a run for its money, finally losing by 8 after giving up two 4th quarter scores. The conference not only has depth and talent but the Holy War played between BYU and Utah originated in 1896 and is one of the most intense rivalries in the country, involving not only football pride but religious pride as well.

Though the MWC is as healthy as it ever has been, a few shake-ups within the conference would have huge benefits for fans, rivalries, and talent. First, Utah State should be added from the WAC because it makes sense geographically and strengthens two already historical in-state rivalries with Utah and BYU. Then (in a move similar to the one it made in 2005 when TCU was added), both the Idaho schools, Boise State and Idaho, should be added. Adding Boise State (though it has denied the MWC's invitation for now) and Idaho keeps the in-state rivalry for the Governor's Cup (and keeps Idaho somewhat relevant) and gives the MWC the edge it needs to make another push for becoming a BCS conference. Ever since its historic upset of Oklahoma in 2006, Boise State has become the epitome of how to run a non-BCS conference team. Joining the ranks of Gonzaga and Memphis in basketball, Boise State has been the best team not from a major conference in recent memory, finishing with one loss or fewer 5 times in the last 7 years. Adding Boise State from the WAC would further legitimize the Mountain West and end any arguments from naysayers. It would also give Boise State the opportunity to play in a conference up to its standar

ds.

After the addition of these three teams, the WAC should dismiss San Diego State, UNLV, and New Mexico from the MWC (see WAC for details). The three team swap with the WAC would drastically improve the Mountain West's chances of becoming a BCS conference and accommodate fans of the region. Fans of Utah State and Idaho (neither school close to most other schools from the WAC) would greatly appreciate the move, allowing them the chance to see more games close to home. -J.S.

Solution: Add Utah State from the WAC, Add Boise State and Idaho from the WAC, Dismiss New Mexico, San Diego State, and UNLV to the WAC