The conference realignment talk was taking a serious break until yesterday when the Mountain West and Conference USA decided to form a love affair.
Officials are not calling it a merger but an association. Whatever! It sounds like a good ‘ole merger to me.
There are 16 teams that have declared their love for each other. Hawaii only wants part of the love in joining for football only.
The Big East was the first conference to feature 16 teams. Now with some teams leaving it, this new association should be the biggest league in the college ranks. The Mountain West/Conference USA folks could begin as early as 2013-14.
The old saying, “You cannot tell the players without a score card ,” could hold true for this new conference and the other conferences’ comings and goings.
One thing is sure: college realignment is alive and well. The Mountain West/Conference USA folks didn’t want to be left out of the party.
BTW, Happy Valentine’s Day. I can assure you I didn’t use the above love themes on purpose.
Showing posts with label Mountain West Conference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mountain West Conference. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Strange Geography
The Big East Conference announced this week that it is expanding. I’m fine with the league wanting to try to survive in this weird conference realignment business.
For my international readers, the Big East is largely an East Coast conference centered in highly populated areas. The league is best known for its basketball members such as UCONN, Syracuse and Georgetown.
What the conference isn’t known until now is its far reaching national scope. Believe it or not, San Diego State is one of the new members. San Diego State is about as far west in the United States as you can travel. It’s on the West Coast. My geography tells me the West Coast is long way from the East Coast. Folks, you must jump three time zones to get from Point A to Point B.
I find it hard to understand how San Diego State thinks this will benefit its school. Think about the travel costs. Think about the travel time. Think about the additional class time the student athletes will miss.
San Diego State isn’t going to the Big East of old. It’s not a glamour league anymore. It’s been stripped and it’s like I said earlier in survival mode. But the Mountain West (where San Diego State’s membership resides) is shaky too and I guess the West Coast folks believe regardless of the distance, the Big East provides more stability.
I just hope San Diego State has a monster map because it will need one.
For my international readers, the Big East is largely an East Coast conference centered in highly populated areas. The league is best known for its basketball members such as UCONN, Syracuse and Georgetown.
What the conference isn’t known until now is its far reaching national scope. Believe it or not, San Diego State is one of the new members. San Diego State is about as far west in the United States as you can travel. It’s on the West Coast. My geography tells me the West Coast is long way from the East Coast. Folks, you must jump three time zones to get from Point A to Point B.
I find it hard to understand how San Diego State thinks this will benefit its school. Think about the travel costs. Think about the travel time. Think about the additional class time the student athletes will miss.
San Diego State isn’t going to the Big East of old. It’s not a glamour league anymore. It’s been stripped and it’s like I said earlier in survival mode. But the Mountain West (where San Diego State’s membership resides) is shaky too and I guess the West Coast folks believe regardless of the distance, the Big East provides more stability.
I just hope San Diego State has a monster map because it will need one.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Wisconsin-TCU: An Interesting Match-Up
All the bowl pairings are set and let the discussion begin. Discussion is the only thing we have these days as the first bowl game is Dec. 18.
Yes, I was disappointed that someone didn’t defeat Oregon or Auburn so that another team such as TCU could have appeared in the national championship game. But the saying, “It is what it is” applies.
But of all the actual bowl pairings, I like the Wisconsin-TCU game the best. It should be a competitive contest.
Frankly, I haven’t watched much of the Horned Frogs. The Mountain West Conference doesn’t receive great exposure, so that is part of it. But being a non-BCS school brings a natural curiosity to this game. TCU will bring the offense, but will it be able to stop the Badger offense.
Wisconsin has been a scoring machine this season. The Badgers put up basketball numbers. And yet the Wisconsin plays old fashioned Big Ten football with emphasis on the run. It throws the ball too, but if the Horned Frogs don’t stop the run (or control it at least), forget about the victory.
I was in Madison (home of Wisconsin) last week. There is a real buzz about the Badgers Rose Bowl trip. People are making travel plans. Now Wisconsin actually has an opponent.
And I think a very good opponent. This promises to be a punch-in-the-gut game. You would think Wisconsin will provide the most punches. Will TCU respond and deliver a few of its own?
Stay tuned for the outcome on January 1.
Yes, I was disappointed that someone didn’t defeat Oregon or Auburn so that another team such as TCU could have appeared in the national championship game. But the saying, “It is what it is” applies.
But of all the actual bowl pairings, I like the Wisconsin-TCU game the best. It should be a competitive contest.
Frankly, I haven’t watched much of the Horned Frogs. The Mountain West Conference doesn’t receive great exposure, so that is part of it. But being a non-BCS school brings a natural curiosity to this game. TCU will bring the offense, but will it be able to stop the Badger offense.
Wisconsin has been a scoring machine this season. The Badgers put up basketball numbers. And yet the Wisconsin plays old fashioned Big Ten football with emphasis on the run. It throws the ball too, but if the Horned Frogs don’t stop the run (or control it at least), forget about the victory.
I was in Madison (home of Wisconsin) last week. There is a real buzz about the Badgers Rose Bowl trip. People are making travel plans. Now Wisconsin actually has an opponent.
And I think a very good opponent. This promises to be a punch-in-the-gut game. You would think Wisconsin will provide the most punches. Will TCU respond and deliver a few of its own?
Stay tuned for the outcome on January 1.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Boise State Good for College Football
Boise State's 33-30 victory over Virginia Tech last night was a statement win.
The people in Boise and the entire state of Idaho would probably disagree with that declaration, but in this election year, it's all about obtaining votes.
More and more people in the country are realizing what the folks in Idaho already know, the Broncos play exciting and winning football. They are a legit team.
In the past, Boise State was more known for its blue turf. Nice conversation piece on ESPN. Then this Mountain West Conference team began to win including a major bowl game.
But the cry went out. Could Boise State battle the big boys of college football toe-to-toe on a regular basis? Or was this just a fluke?
America saw the positive result in this debate against the Hokies. Folks, the Broncos appear the real deal.
Outside Idaho, the biggest winner becomes college football. Mid-major program wants to be included in the big party. Mid-major has major success and forces the college powers to make room at the party. College football has a fresh, exciting face to go along side the usual heavyweights.
If this keeps up, we will be seeing more games featuring the blue turf. I wonder what that looks like in 3-D.
The people in Boise and the entire state of Idaho would probably disagree with that declaration, but in this election year, it's all about obtaining votes.
More and more people in the country are realizing what the folks in Idaho already know, the Broncos play exciting and winning football. They are a legit team.
In the past, Boise State was more known for its blue turf. Nice conversation piece on ESPN. Then this Mountain West Conference team began to win including a major bowl game.
But the cry went out. Could Boise State battle the big boys of college football toe-to-toe on a regular basis? Or was this just a fluke?
America saw the positive result in this debate against the Hokies. Folks, the Broncos appear the real deal.
Outside Idaho, the biggest winner becomes college football. Mid-major program wants to be included in the big party. Mid-major has major success and forces the college powers to make room at the party. College football has a fresh, exciting face to go along side the usual heavyweights.
If this keeps up, we will be seeing more games featuring the blue turf. I wonder what that looks like in 3-D.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Thoughts on Conference Expansion
Just like the outdoor grilling season, talk of conference expansion is heating up.
In recent years, we have had some sizzle but little steak on this never-ending expansion talk. Not since the ACC and Big East provided some movement a few years ago has there been realignment.
But this time the talk seems centered on the PAC-10 and Big 10. I know, the Big 10 expansion talk is really old news. It sounds like it might happen however in the near future. This from a conference that calls itself the Big 10 with 11 teams. Change must be hard. And they are talking major change with expansion in this black spikes league?
So maybe Rutgers or Missouri might be interested? Notre Dame might reconsider its stance on football conference membership. The Irish are hardly a national power these days and might appreciate some security in the Big 10.
The PAC-10 might go calling on some Mountain West schools. I heard Utah is one target. But this is one conference that needs a splash. Right now, it has Phil Knight, Nike and the University of Oregon. And they might also consider moving the conference. Starting times make it difficult for anyone east of the Rock Mountains to keep trace of this league.
Being old school, I don't have much problem with the way the leagues (across America) are presently aligned. But it's the sign of times. People think bigger is better. I say, be careful what you wish for?
What are you opinions on college expansion?
In recent years, we have had some sizzle but little steak on this never-ending expansion talk. Not since the ACC and Big East provided some movement a few years ago has there been realignment.
But this time the talk seems centered on the PAC-10 and Big 10. I know, the Big 10 expansion talk is really old news. It sounds like it might happen however in the near future. This from a conference that calls itself the Big 10 with 11 teams. Change must be hard. And they are talking major change with expansion in this black spikes league?
So maybe Rutgers or Missouri might be interested? Notre Dame might reconsider its stance on football conference membership. The Irish are hardly a national power these days and might appreciate some security in the Big 10.
The PAC-10 might go calling on some Mountain West schools. I heard Utah is one target. But this is one conference that needs a splash. Right now, it has Phil Knight, Nike and the University of Oregon. And they might also consider moving the conference. Starting times make it difficult for anyone east of the Rock Mountains to keep trace of this league.
Being old school, I don't have much problem with the way the leagues (across America) are presently aligned. But it's the sign of times. People think bigger is better. I say, be careful what you wish for?
What are you opinions on college expansion?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Alford Still Hot Topic in Iowa
New Mexico Coach Steve Alford's recent exchange with a BYU player has caused a stir many miles away from the Mountain West Conference. It seems Alford is never far from the hearts of Iowa Hawkeye fans.
Most Iowa fans have a hard heart when it comes to Alford. Most developed a displeasure for Alford while he served as Hawkeye coach. Fans were generally glad when New Mexico hired the coach. Many had the attitude such as "Don't let the door hit you when you leave."
So it is not surprising that nearly four years removed from his Iowa days, Iowa fans are flocking to the Internet boards to talk about the Alford incident and again make known their anti-Alford feelings. They say in a real marriage, bad feelings often linger after a divorce. This divorce is still messy.
Maybe Iowa fans are jealous of Alford's current success at New Mexico. The Lobos are 27-3 and ranked eighth in the Associated Press poll. On the other hand, Iowa has really struggled with Todd Lickliter as coach.
What will help Hawkeye fans move on with their basketball lives? Will a great New Mexico run in the NCAA tournament do it? I sense that a quick exit in the tournament will cause Hawkeyes fans to say "I told you so,"and keep stroking the Alford pot.
Hopefully, Hawkeye fans will move on and sooner rather than later.
What do you think about Alford and the Hawkeye fans?
Most Iowa fans have a hard heart when it comes to Alford. Most developed a displeasure for Alford while he served as Hawkeye coach. Fans were generally glad when New Mexico hired the coach. Many had the attitude such as "Don't let the door hit you when you leave."
So it is not surprising that nearly four years removed from his Iowa days, Iowa fans are flocking to the Internet boards to talk about the Alford incident and again make known their anti-Alford feelings. They say in a real marriage, bad feelings often linger after a divorce. This divorce is still messy.
Maybe Iowa fans are jealous of Alford's current success at New Mexico. The Lobos are 27-3 and ranked eighth in the Associated Press poll. On the other hand, Iowa has really struggled with Todd Lickliter as coach.
What will help Hawkeye fans move on with their basketball lives? Will a great New Mexico run in the NCAA tournament do it? I sense that a quick exit in the tournament will cause Hawkeyes fans to say "I told you so,"and keep stroking the Alford pot.
Hopefully, Hawkeye fans will move on and sooner rather than later.
What do you think about Alford and the Hawkeye fans?
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