Boise State Again Flirting With Mountain West

[ADLER]

Boise State might seek spot in league

Humanitarian Bowl bid could be part of effort

By MARK ANDERSON

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson, shown at a news conference Tuesday at Green Valley Ranch Station, said he expects his league to secure a bid in the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl.

Photo by Craig L. Moran

Could the Mountain West Conference's next step be adding Boise State?

League commissioner Craig Thompson didn't sound eager Tuesday to invite the Broncos, but he said an agreement appears in reach with the Boise-based Humanitarian Bowl.

The Mountain West could send a team to that game this season if the Atlantic Coast Conference fails to qualify an eighth bowl team, but a deal would be for a guaranteed spot in 2009 for the No. 5 MWC team. The league's other four bowl contracts expire then, and the Humanitarian could negotiate to move up and take a higher-finishing Mountain West team.

Thompson didn't deny Boise State might use the bowl as a means to gain admission into the Mountain West.

"It's two different deals, but they probably will," Thompson said. "I think we will get the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl done with or without Boise State's influence."

A Mountain West representative would face a team from the Western Athletic Conference, which includes Boise State. The Broncos played the past two seasons in the Hawaii and Fiesta bowls.

"I'm making a major presumption here, which is dangerous, but I've heard that Boise State doesn't always like to play in the Boise bowl," Thompson said. "If they're having a Mountain West opponent, they'll probably say, 'Sign me up!' "

[MDH]

The Humanitarian Bowl as bait sucks...many teams have turned it down because the ACC team usually doesn't want to travel up there and they can't get many ppl to leave the southeast where its 65 to go sit outside in Boise where its 25

The Humanitarian Bowl hardly pays out. The fact Roady's was the sponsor says a lot. Roady's is a regional truck stop in the Boise area...their commercials during the bowl last year were more than pathetic.

But hey I'm for MWC expansion since they can't deny my Dogs

[UNTflyer]

This is why we need to continue to say NO to the WAC. The best teams are looking to jump ship.

[ADLER]

The BYU fans are discussing the prospects of adding Boise Click Here for Cougar Blue Board

And on the Utah Ute Board

Edited July 26, 2008 by ADLER

[MDH]

This is why we need to continue to say NO to the WAC. The best teams are looking to jump ship.

Only way I'm approving is if Fresno stays in so I can be one of those losers with a half red half green shirt and face

[Arkstfan]

Here's the deal.

Why would the MWC want to add Boise to get the bowl?

The Humanitarian had CUSA in, CUSA didn't take anyone and got out of the deal as quickly as possible. The MAC has said no to going there. The ACC has been working like crazy to get out and wants to release the contract early to move the 8th pick to the new game in DC.

The MWC doesn't need Boise State's help to get in the game because no one else wants to be there. Do you think the Sun Belt would lock into a deal requiring expensive travel and selling thousands of tickets to that game when UTEP and La.Tech for their trips sold a combined total to their fans of maybe 2,000 for their trips?

The Pac-10 just barely made its contracts last year and has consistently struggled with what it has. The Big 10 has shorted Motor City three out of five seasons. The Big East has an extra deal this year that would have filled every spot last year but would have shorted St.Pete if Louisville had lost one more game or the Big East placed two in the BCS.

There isn't anyone else to take. The game is going to be WAC/MWC no matter what happens with Boise State's membership. You don't use a bowl arrangement to add the #118 TV market when you are going to get the bowl anyway.

Boise's pursuit has to stand on its own merit absent the bowl because Boise State's membership is no more critical to getting that bowl game than Washington State's membership is to the Pac-10 being in the Rose.

Do they have fan support that is consistent with what the MWC wants? Yes.

Do they play the caliber of football and basketball the MWC wants? I think so.

Do they bring the TV interest? Their market is very small but they do have some brand value nationally.

Is adding them worth giving up a game against one of the current members? Tough call. Everyone wants to play BYU and the league basically started because BYU, Utah, Colorado State, Air Force, Wyoming were fed up with the WAC and one of their grievances was not playing each other every year in football.

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

I certainly agree that the H-Bowl is not a factor regarding whether Boise is admitted to the MWC or not. I think that here are only two possibilities whereby the Broncos would ever gain membership in the Mountain West:

1. Someone drops out. It cuuld be one or two of the western colleges chosen if the Pac 10 ever decided to expand. It could be if TCU decided to move to a more Central Time Zone oriented league. They are likely #1 on the replacement list but that doesn't mean much right now.

2. The MWC decides to expand to 12 teams. I also have doubts of that happening unless it is somehow related to Pac 10 expansion. That's also a remote possibility given that the Pac 10 contains some of the most liberal universities in America and finding two who share their philosophy.

The latter is expecially a sticking point as to why they would take the most eligible candidates...Brigham Young and Utah. BYU has so far been able to work out any problems with their former conferences, the WAC and the MWC, as well as the NCAA. But, that won't be enough for the Pac 10, or at least it hasn't been. Maybe a new commissioner can make a difference.

I think that maybe the new commissioner will be able to sell the Pac 10 presidents but it may take a while. The Pac 10 is unique in that they play each team every year; a total of nine conference games. Giving that up will require a lot of selling by the commissioner. On the other hand, while conference money will divided further there will also be more to divide. If the two new teams were BYU and Utah, there could be money from two more bowl teams and perhaps an NCAA basketball tourney berth as well as a championship game.

If Pac 10 expansion ever does occur, Boise will be at the forefront of new selections to the MWC, with or without the bowl.

[badgerwolf]

The MWC doesn't need Boise State's help to get in the game because no one else wants to be there. Do you think the Sun Belt would lock into a deal requiring expensive travel and selling thousands of tickets to that game when UTEP and La.Tech for their trips sold a combined total to their fans of maybe 2,000 for their trips?

Agree; the MWC is the big dog behind the PAC-10 out here in the West and that will not change. Jeff Siembeda (spelling ??), Executive Director, of the HBowl was on TV in ABQ last week and he clearly stated he wants only REGIONAL teams in the bowl. The PAC-10 does not want the HBowl so that leaves ONLY the MWC.

Boise State wants in the MWC so BAD, but this is not their ticket to the MWC !!!

BTW, if anyone, would be kind enough to change my username to ManzanoWolf that would be greatly appreciated . . . LOL!!!

Edited July 26, 2008 by badgerwolf