Boise State's entry into the Big East carries a critical caveat

Harry · November 4, 2011

Kustra told the state board -- and board members agreed -- that the formation of a Western division is essential to joining the conference. Kustra suggested that SMU, Houston, Air Force and one other western school could make up that division. He declined to identify any other western schools that are now in talks with Big East officials.

"The Big East is working on partners for a western division, with a championship game" with the winner of the eastern division, Kustra said.

This year, Boise State moved to the Mountain West Conference, leaving the Western Athletic Conference, a league the Broncos dominated for a decade in football and several other men's and women's sports.

But Kustra began entertaining other conference suitors earlier this year when the Mountain West was weakened by the losses of BYU and Utah. Kustra said Boise State would have to pay a $5 million exit fee to the MWC if it bolted in 2012, but nothing if it waits until 2013.

"It is simply not the same conference we first agreed to join," Kustra said of the MWC. "The losses dealt a blow to competition and potential for getting an automatic qualifier" for the BCS.

Read More: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7186814/idaho-state-board-education-gives-boise-st-ok-join-big-east

Wag Tag · November 4, 2011

Read More: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7186814/idaho-state-board-education-gives-boise-st-ok-join-big-east

As Boise is demanding another school in the west I feel UTEP, Tulsa, Rice is doing the same . We r the only logical choice for a travel partner to these schools. Again look at UTEP, Tulsa, Rice, UNT, La Tech, and Tulane n the west. Travel to help fill stadiums and low travel cost for the teams. Band could b at every game !!

TIgreen01 · November 4, 2011

So is Tulsa the obvious choice here?

VideoEagle · November 4, 2011

"It is simply not the same conference we first agreed to join," Kustra said of the MWC.

This is exactly why I think NT needs to be careful about saying we want in CUSA no matter what. CUSA with SMU and Houston would have clearly been better for us than the current one. What if CUSA loses Rice, UTEP and Tulsa? Then we are right back where we were without regional rivals in stAte, La-Mo and La-La. It would still be an upgrade, but not nearly as much and a lot of cost for what amounts to just new uniform patches.

I'm sure Boise is happy going to the trouble to switch leagues to only find where they went was only marginally better than where they were. TCU was clearly upset about the Big East defections as well.

If the realignment shows nothing else, it is the TEAMS involved in conferences and not the NAME of the conference that really matters.

wardly · November 4, 2011

BSU would like BYU to join for football only, but their independent t.v. network contract with ESPN is a smaller version on LONGHORN network, and they are not going to give it up as per todays article in Provo, Utah newspaper.just too much money and national exposure.

eppy4life · November 4, 2011

Awesome. I could enjoy the Big East.

emmitt01 · November 4, 2011

Awesome. I could enjoy the Big East.

Awww man. Someone posted the lunatic dream before I could pre-empt it.

wardly · November 4, 2011

As Boise is demanding another school in the west I feel UTEP, Tulsa, Rice is doing the same . We r the only logical choice for a travel partner to these schools. Again look at UTEP, Tulsa, Rice, UNT, La Tech, and Tulane n the west. Travel to help fill stadiums and low travel cost for the teams. Band could b at every game !!

sounds too logical to work, but wouldn't it be great!