[TallyW]

The Mountain West is in deep discussions with UTEP, and there’s mutual interest between both sides, sources tell Pete Thamel. A deal has yet to be finalized, but an answer on UTEP joining the league is expected soon.


ESPN
3m ago

https://www.espn.com/espn/now/_/nowId/2 ... _mode=ccpa

[JK37]

I did a quick look at the financials from the latest data available in the Equity in Athletics submissions for LU and each of the members of what will be the new PAC. It looks like this:

1) Oregon State - $97.8M
2) San Diego State - $96.6M
3) Washington State - $79.0M
4) Liberty - $62.5M
5) Boise State - $52.7M
6) Fresno State - $51.1M
7) Utah State - $45.6M

From a financial investment perspective, we would be a nice fit... there are not many other G5s with the resources to increase their funding of athletics to this level, much less compete on day one. While this would be a major step up in competition for us, I think we would be okay. I just worry about the travel logistics. If this were to come to fruition it would be good to have a travel partner or two out east with us to take the conference up to 10 full-time members.

One of these is not like the others.

[Ill flame]

I did a quick look at the financials from the latest data available in the Equity in Athletics submissions for LU and each of the members of what will be the new PAC. It looks like this:

1) Oregon State - $97.8M
2) San Diego State - $96.6M
3) Washington State - $79.0M
4) Liberty - $62.5M
5) Boise State - $52.7M
6) Fresno State - $51.1M
7) Utah State - $45.6M

From a financial investment perspective, we would be a nice fit... there are not many other G5s with the resources to increase their funding of athletics to this level, much less compete on day one. While this would be a major step up in competition for us, I think we would be okay. I just worry about the travel logistics. If this were to come to fruition it would be good to have a travel partner or two out east with us to take the conference up to 10 full-time members.

One of these is not like the others.

Yeah I think we'll have to change our name to Liberty State as a prerequisite to get in.

[ECC29]

This is probably already been answered. However, can anyone explain why LU cannot get in the ACC? Is it simply that ACC do not want to deal with a Christian school?

[aredd33]

The Mountain West is in deep discussions with UTEP, and there’s mutual interest between both sides, sources tell Pete Thamel. A deal has yet to be finalized, but an answer on UTEP joining the league is expected soon.


ESPN
3m ago

https://www.espn.com/espn/now/_/nowId/2 ... _mode=ccpa

This won’t make the conference any weaker.
If they are replaced it would be almost impossible for it to be a downgrade. I’m sure if UTEP leaves it would just want to make NMSU leave as well.
Honestly I don’t think we’d be losing much as a conference with either or both leaving. I know NMSU was good last year but these are two of the historically worst programs in all of FBS. They are a combined 1-8 this year. Including a 1-1 record against FCS schools.

[Sly Fox]

UTEP is likely gone in just about every scenario ... unless the economics are on par and they don't want to pay the buyouts.

The Mountain West has always assumed that they have UTEP & NM State any time that they want. But with the top half of the league gone it is not the attractive destination that it once was. Thats why Texas State is dragging its feet hoping that the Pac will value them enough to give them an invitation. Texas State is the key and it is now October so an announcement from them could come at any point moving forward.

[prototype]

All this movement is frustrating... And we aren't close to being done, until there's two super leagues - Big10 and SEC, and everyone else.

Losing anyone in our league hurts... UTEP, NMSU... They might not be the best, but they are teams and numbers matter.

We just need to hold out for Sun Belt. They make the most sense for us and would provide instant rivalries. OR Conference USA needs to merge with MW or PACwhatever#itisnow and truly be Conference USA and make a East and West divisions.

[Kricket]

The Mountain West is in deep discussions with UTEP, and there’s mutual interest between both sides, sources tell Pete Thamel. A deal has yet to be finalized, but an answer on UTEP joining the league is expected soon.


ESPN
3m ago

https://www.espn.com/espn/now/_/nowId/2 ... _mode=ccpa

This won’t make the conference any weaker.
If they are replaced it would be almost impossible for it to be a downgrade. I’m sure if UTEP leaves it would just want to make NMSU leave as well.
Honestly I don’t think we’d be losing much as a conference with either or both leaving. I know NMSU was good last year but these are two of the historically worst programs in all of FBS. They are a combined 1-8 this year. Including a 1-1 record against FCS schools.

This. I kind of don’t mind them leaving. The conference can start to build a tighter footprint without them.

[aj7]

What the PAC does next will be interesting. Are Toledo/NIU truly the direction they want to go? If so, would Liberty be another east coast team to add as well?

Adding Tarleton St doesn't interest me very much when it comes to CUSA. UConn as a football only doesn't move the needle much, but they are probably the only FBS team that would consider us.

[Sly Fox]

And so it begins. Expect something from Texas State today as well.

[Sly Fox]

[LUOrange]

What the PAC does next will be interesting. Are Toledo/NIU truly the direction they want to go? If so, would Liberty be another east coast team to add as well?

Adding Tarleton St doesn't interest me very much when it comes to CUSA. UConn as a football only doesn't move the needle much, but they are probably the only FBS team that would consider us.

I'm not opposed to UConn Football only if it came with X number of MBB & WBB non-conference games per year.

[ballcoach15]

Toledo and NIU need to stay where they are now, where ever that is

[ATrain]

Our future SOS just increased with UTEP leaving

[aj7]

I'm not opposed to UConn Football only if it came with X number of MBB & WBB non-conference games per year.

Feels like a very fair and reasonable trade. Say 4 non-con games per year for men's and women's basketball. They might still view CUSA as beneath them for football, but as most of us know, independence really is a wasteland.

[Kricket]

What the PAC does next will be interesting. Are Toledo/NIU truly the direction they want to go? If so, would Liberty be another east coast team to add as well?

Adding Tarleton St doesn't interest me very much when it comes to CUSA. UConn as a football only doesn't move the needle much, but they are probably the only FBS team that would consider us.

Do you mean MWC? I haven’t seen that the PAC 12 is looking at Toledo or NIU.

[Ill flame]

When Brett Mcmurphy doubled down and stood by his report that Gonzaga is leaving for the PAC 12 I knew it was just a matter of time before this announcement came. Now ESPN is reporting it like it came out of nowhere. Interestingly pac 12 was talking to grand canyon in case gonzaga didn't work out for some reason.

[Ill flame]

This explains why MWC is talking to Tarleton state.

[aredd33]

This explains why MWC is talking to Tarleton state.

I would also think this puts NMSU in the crosshairs next.

[ATrain]

This explains why MWC is talking to Tarleton state.

I would also think this puts NMSU in the crosshairs next.

Apparently UNM has a pretty significant roadblock to NMSU joining, if the Twitterverse is accurate.

[TallyW]

https://x.com/ramblinroundup/status/184 ... SK799LYAbg

[JK37]

Whoever said it, the Sun Belt makes the least sense. All publics. Won’t happen. If we “hold out” for the Sun Belt, we’ll be waiting forever.

[aj7]

Whoever said it, the Sun Belt makes the least sense. All publics. Won’t happen. If we “hold out” for the Sun Belt, we’ll be waiting forever.

Don't think we're waiting for the Sun Belt. If the AAC comes calling we're taking that offer no doubt. It's not like we have a ton of options.

[Kricket]

Whoever said it, the Sun Belt makes the least sense. All publics. Won’t happen. If we “hold out” for the Sun Belt, we’ll be waiting forever.

It seems the comments about holding out for the Sun Belt are coming from a place of panic in the fan base. I’m really not sure why. There are so many more dominoes to fall with the PAC 12 and MWC and the C-USA can’t get much worse by losing the western schools.

Either way, the reality is that our shot likely will be the next round when the ACC and AAC have their PAC 12/MWC moment after the best of the ACC leave. If we’re still in C-USA when all that shakes out that might be a little sad.

[Kricket]

This explains why MWC is talking to Tarleton state.

Notice it didn’t say they won’t join the PAC 12 or AAC…