Fresno's Move Appears to be Lateral

[Harry]

These facts make one ponder was the move to another conference really worth it? Are Wyoming, Air Force, UNLV, New Mexico, and Colorado State that much better than Utah State, Idaho, San Jose State, New Mexico State and Louisiana Tech? The answer is an emphatic no. They are not that much better than the aforementioned teams.

At this point the move may have even hurt the Bulldogs. In 2010 the Bulldogs were forced by WAC Commissioner Karl Benson to pay a $5 million fee and to wait until 2012 to join the MWC. The Bulldogs were forced to pay the fee due to the members of the WAC signing a buyout pact stating that any member looking to leave the conference would have to pay the fee and wait. A week after signing the loyalty pact the Bulldogs accepted the MWC’s invitation.

This essentially means that they paid $5 million to join a conference that is now no better than the one it left. Basically, the university wasted money just to have a different conference logo on their uniforms. This hurts even more considering the fact that the Athletic Department is hurting as it is.

Read More: http://collegian.csufresno.edu/2011/12/12/fresno-state%E2%80%99s-move-to-the-mountain-west-conference-now-appears-to-be-a-lateral-move/

[MDH]

SDSU leaving really burned the Fresno fanbase.

[UNTLifer]

Wyoming, Air Force, UNLV, New Mexico and Colorado State are better than Utah State, Idaho, NMSU, San Jose State and La Tech as a group.

[GrayEagle]

Except for La Tech the MWC teams are better than the WAC that they are leaving. Better than that, they at least have a conference to go to. The WAC won't have the necessary eight teams to have a viable league.