Boise State to receive MWC invitation on Monday

[Sparky The Sun Devil]

yep, but they wont start playing till 2011.

[CoryWinget81]

http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_15207026

Football power Boise State appears to be only waiting for an invitation to become the 10th member of the Mountain West Conference. That invitation could officially come as early as Monday when the MWC's board of directors meets in Jackson, Wyo.

Speculation around the MWC and the Western Athletic Conference is that Boise State will bolt from the WAC. Typical is the comment by Idaho athletic director Rob Spear, who recently wrote to Vandals fans in his blog, "I am predicting June 7 will be the day when the first shoe drops regarding conference realignment."

MWC commissioner Craig Thompson has said he wants his league to be proactive amid talks nationwide of conference shake-ups. Adding Boise State would be the first move toward that end for the MWC. Stephen Weber, president of San Diego State, also believes his conference should guard against isolation and being left behind with shake-ups expected throughout the collegiate landscape. Should the Pac-10 expand, its potential targets are believed to include MWC power Utah and Colorado of the Big 12.

"In these matters, you have to weigh playing offense or defense," Weber said. "I prefer offense."

Adding Boise State would give the MWC a powerhouse football program that annually contends for top 10 honors.

The MWC last expanded in 2005, when Texas Christian accepted an invitation. The Horned Frogs' football team went 12-1 last season and finished No. 6 in The Associated Press poll, TCU's second consecutive finish in the top 10.

For the MWC to extend an invitation, there must be yes votes from at least seven of the current conference members.

"If you're going to explore conference membership changes, you have to look at what brings significant value," Thompson said. "When we added TCU, we did it for one reason, to strengthen the league. . . . If it strengthens the league, expands your television markets and enhances scheduling opportunities, you must do your due diligence and be proactive in preparing for the future."

If the MWC expands, it would need to have all the paperwork signed by July 1 so that a new member could be in the MWC for the 2011 football season.

The addition of Boise State could bolster the MWC's attempt to be included in the Bowl Championship Series. Thompson has waged a multiyear fight in an attempt to gain an automatic qualifying slot for the MWC in the BCS alignment.

Utah and Boise State have gained at-large bids to BCS bowls the past two years.

"That may be one of the considerations," Weber said. "It's a pretty good reason."

Colorado State athletic director Paul Kowalczyk favors the addition of Boise State. "Boise State brings name recognition to the party. The BCS system needs to change," he said.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

It's still speculation at this point, unless Sparky knows something I don't know.

So far, there's only a few for sure "yes" votes.

[Sparky The Sun Devil]

It's still speculation at this point, unless Sparky knows something I don't know.

So far, there's only a few for sure "yes" votes.

I dont, but the article says the board of directos meets monday and will discuss it. The Idaho AD said he thinks the first movement will happen june 7th, which would mean he thinks boise will accept the invite on june 7th. Sportscenter is reporting this too now

[Amari24]

Interesting, if they win this conference consistently like they did in the WAC I Think people will start taking them more seriously as a BCS team.

[RealBronco]

man i've been talking about this since last fall. lol and more recently last month, mentioning the conferences meet in June.

as Al said, it's still speculation at this point and the article doesn't present anything we didn't know already for a couple of months already.

however, the rumors and the speculation seem to be gaining speed and ground, leading me to believe it will happen.

but it's just a waiting game at this point.

thanks for the post Sparky.

[Sparky The Sun Devil]

man i've been talking about this since last fall. lol and more recently last month, mentioning the conferences meet in June.

as Al said, it's still speculation at this point and the article doesn't present anything we didn't know already for a couple of months already.

however, the rumors and the speculation seem to be gaining speed and ground, leading me to believe it will happen.

but it's just a waiting game at this point.

thanks for the post Sparky.

I think there is ONE BIG THING. The Idaho AD said June 7th is when something will happen, to me that indicates they will make the move official and make the invite.

[samparnell]

Boise State ...

Interesting, if they win this conference consistently like they did in the WAC I Think people will start taking them more seriously as a BCS team.

... has a great football program, but the MWC is tougher than the WAC. Winning the conference as consistently as they have done is unlikely.

The Mountain West's landscape could change as well if teams leave for BCS conferences.

We'll see what happens when the dust clears.

[Sparky The Sun Devil]

man i've been talking about this since last fall. lol and more recently last month, mentioning the conferences meet in June.

as Al said, it's still speculation at this point and the article doesn't present anything we didn't know already for a couple of months already.

however, the rumors and the speculation seem to be gaining speed and ground, leading me to believe it will happen.

but it's just a waiting game at this point.

thanks for the post Sparky.

for 2010 though, i think BSs game at VT(we all know its not really a nuetral site) is basically a play in game for the NCGame for boise. I think that game is the second biggest game in their history, after the first bcs game against okla. Org St is not gonna be nearly as good as last year, and i dont think anyone should be able to beaat boise besides VTech for the teams on their schedule

[12and4]

So fresno state will have a shot at the wac? wooohooo.....



but seriously i hope they get in, that makes them one step closer to bcs destruction.


fresno's gonna beat boise this year....

[GatorChomp]

This really helps the MWC. All of Boise's BCS and high finishes will go towards the MWC receiving an autobid when they review them in a couple years.

Boise, TCU, Utah and BYU... pretty good!

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

I dont, but the article says the board of directos meets monday and will discuss it. The Idaho AD said he thinks the first movement will happen june 7th, which would mean he thinks boise will accept the invite on june 7th. Sportscenter is reporting this too now

That's interesting. It may be there trying to deflect attention, but a couple of weeks ago one of the school presidents said discussing it wasn't on the agenda at that point....not that it couldn't be brought up.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

... has a great football program, but the MWC is tougher than the WAC. Winning the conference as consistently as they have done is unlikely.

The Mountain West's landscape could change as well if teams leave for BCS conferences.

We'll see what happens when the dust clears.

You are right, but the head to head, along with the current youth Boise has on their roster would probably dictate that they rule the conference for the first year atleast.

BSU has only lost one game against the MWC in the last five years. They are 2-0 vs. Wyoming, 2-0 vs BYU, 1-0 vs Utah, and 1-1 vs TCU.

They only lost one starter from last years team, which was comprised mostly of sophomores. They will only lose a few more after this season (a couple in the secondary, one LB, and two WR's). Kellen Moore will be back, and so will the front four that has dicated the tempo this last year.

Don't misunderstand me. There's no doubt in my mind they wouldn't be as dominant as they have been in the WAC. The MWC is very good. I do think that a BSU team that is 10-1 or 9-2 has more credibility than a 12-0 team coming from the WAC. The argument against them is they are so well coached they can prepare to beat anybody once a year, but they face a cream puff schedule the rest of the way.

I believe a MWC with BSU becomes the 3rd or 4th best football conference.

There would be some rivalries that would have credibility right away in the MWC for BSU. The TCU rivalry is a given. BYU and Utah are only 6 hours away, and BSU hasn't lost to either one of them in recent history. BSU also has a history with Wyoming, which isn't far away either. Geographically, it makes more sense than the WAC does.

The only rivalry BSU has in the WAC is U of I, which has turned into a joke in the last ten years. I can't even remember the last time Idaho got within 20 points of Boise.

[samparnell]

I remember ...

You are right, but the head to head, along with the current youth Boise has on their roster would probably dictate that they rule the conference for the first year atleast.

BSU has only lost one game against the MWC in the last five years. They are 2-0 vs. Wyoming, 2-0 vs BYU, 1-0 vs Utah, and 1-1 vs TCU.

They only lost one starter from last years team, which was comprised mostly of sophomores. They will only lose a few more after this season (a couple in the secondary, one LB, and two WR's). Kellen Moore will be back, and so will the front four that has dicated the tempo this last year.

Don't misunderstand me. There's no doubt in my mind they wouldn't be as dominant as they have been in the WAC. The MWC is very good. I do think that a BSU team that is 10-1 or 9-2 has more credibility than a 12-0 team coming from the WAC. The argument against them is they are so well coached they can prepare to beat anybody once a year, but they face a cream puff schedule the rest of the way.

I believe a MWC with BSU becomes the 3rd or 4th best football conference.

There would be some rivalries that would have credibility right away in the MWC for BSU. The TCU rivalry is a given. BYU and Utah are only 6 hours away, and BSU hasn't lost to either one of them in recent history. BSU also has a history with Wyoming, which isn't far away either. Geographically, it makes more sense than the WAC does.

The only rivalry BSU has in the WAC is U of I, which has turned into a joke in the last ten years. I can't even remember the last time Idaho got within 20 points of Boise.

... when Hawkins was at BSU and Crowton was HC at BYU. Provo was like Broncos' South.

It remains to be seen if the other MWC teams stay put. BSU would be an excellent tenth team, good conference size.

Can Idaho afford to expand the stadium? Doesn't keep the Humanitarian Bowl from happening though.

An intact MWC plus Boise State makes a compelling BCS bid.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

... when Hawkins was at BSU and Crowton was HC at BYU. Provo was like Broncos' South.

It remains to be seen if the other MWC teams stay put. BSU would be an excellent tenth team, good conference size.

Can Idaho afford to expand the stadium? Doesn't keep the Humanitarian Bowl from happening though

An intact MWC plus Boise State makes a compelling BCS bid.

The university has a five year plan to expand the stadium. It should be around 40-45k. Currently 33k is capacity. 40k would probably be sufficient.

Also, you have to be careful saying, "can Idaho.....". The natives here will think you're talking about the Vandals.

Realbronco would probably get very sensitive with you!

I think part of their thinking with inviting BSU is for the purpose of damage control. Should they lose Utah they would still have as much credibility as a football conference as they did prior to Boise joining.

That atleast is the sentiment some of the AD's have expressed. They would rather take an offensive approach to realignment than to just wait and react.

The only downside in my opinion is the crappy television deal the Mountain West is in. The WAC got nothing from ESPN, but it created massive exposure for BSU and the conference. I hope the lack of exposure doesn't hurt BSU.