Mountain West Conference (official thread)

[zwem]

Does the MWC try to pick up Kansas, Kansas State, and/or Iowa State in the Big 12 aftermath?

I feel sorry for Kansas. Where are they going to go? Let's not forget about their basketball program and they had a decent football program. I'm curious to see where they end up.

 

[bkochmc]

I feel sorry for Kansas. Where are they going to go? Let's not forget about their basketball program and they had a decent football program. I'm curious to see where they end up.

Especially their basketball program. They wouldn't be a good culture fit with the SEC but it would be amazing to see Kansas/Kentucky battle twice a year on the hardwood... that could rival Duke/UNC.

 

[808 Buck]

that could rival Duke/UNC.

You'll have to check with Dickie V on that one.

 

[Dryden]

You'll have to check with Dickie V on that one.

Is Dickie V even OK? He got smoked by a line drive into his luxury box behind the 3B dugout at the Rays game yesterday.

 

[cincibuck]

If not, I'll say they blue it, and AKAK will say I stole his off-color joke.

I red your off color joke. I'm green with envy. Maize well be blue.

 

[cincibuck]

I feel sorry for Kansas. Where are they going to go? Let's not forget about their basketball program and they had a decent football program. I'm curious to see where they end up.

Decent? How many winning seasons have they had since Bobby Douglas? All Time Football Record: 562-545-58 (.507) And that's playing Iowa State and K State every year.

 

[red in colorado]

Decent? How many winning seasons have they had since Bobby Douglas? All Time Football Record: 562-545-58 (.507) And that's playing Iowa State and K State every year.

Mangino was doing a good job of building a decent football program before his mistreatment of players caught up with him and got him fired. If Turner Gill can replicate what he did at Buffalo which was the most pathetic team since pre Bill Snyder Kansas State, Kansas could end up being competitive and a team to be reckoned with instead of being chalked up as an automatic victory in most fans minds.

If I'm the commissioner of the MWC, I try hard to lure all of the teams in the big-12 north to join. Those four schools would bring instant BCS recognition with them and would also put the MWC's TV contract in a much better position to renegotiate for more $$.

 

[BB73]

Decent? How many winning seasons have they had since Bobby Douglas? All Time Football Record: 562-545-58 (.507) And that's playing Iowa State and K State every year.

For the 2007 season, here's the complete list of teams from BCS conferences that finished the season (including bowl games), with just 1 loss:

Kansas

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

For the 2007 season, here's the complete list of teams from BCS conferences that finished the season (including bowl games), with just 1 loss:

Kansas

While impressive, it is less so when one considers their schedule:

Central Mich. 52 7
Southeastern La. 62 0
Toledo 45 13
Florida Int'l 55 3
Kansas St. 30 24
Baylor 58 10
Colorado 19 14
Texas A&M 19 11
Nebraska 76 39
Oklahoma St. 43 28
Iowa St. 45 7
Missouri 28 36
Virginia Tech 24 21

The traditional powers in the Big 12 were either not on the schedule or were having down years. No Texas, no Oklahoma, that AtM team was 7-6, and Nebraska was 5-7 that year. In the Orange Bowl, they narrowly beat an 11-3 VPI team that was crushed 48-7 by LSU during the regular season.

I should reiterate that BB73's point is completely valid as far as it goes. However, it could be said that the Jayhawks record came from a confluence of their best team in decades with the lightest schedule imaginable.

 

[BB73]

While impressive, it is less so when one considers their schedule:

Central Mich. 52 7
Southeastern La. 62 0
Toledo 45 13
Florida Int'l 55 3
Kansas St. 30 24
Baylor 58 10
Colorado 19 14
Texas A&M 19 11
Nebraska 76 39
Oklahoma St. 43 28
Iowa St. 45 7
Missouri 28 36
Virginia Tech 24 21

The traditional powers in the Big 12 were either not on the schedule or were having down years. No Texas, no Oklahoma, that AtM team was 7-6, and Nebraska was 5-7 that year. In the Orange Bowl, they narrowly beat an 11-3 VPI team that was crushed 48-7 by LSU during the regular season.

I should reiterate that BB73's point is completely valid as far as it goes. However, it could be said that the Jayhawks record came from a confluence of their best team in decades with the lightest schedule imaginable.

Quite true, their schedule was very weak. It's just a seldom mentioned fact I had a chance to toss out there.

But that 76 points against Nebraska is an alltime record for a Husker opponent. I'm betting some of our new BP members still have nightmaeres about the Husker defense that day.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

Quite true, their schedule was very weak. It's just a seldom mentioned fact I had a chance to toss out there.

But that 76 points against Nebraska is an alltime record for a Husker opponent. I'm betting some of our new BP members still have nightmaeres about the Husker defense that day.

Tough as it was to swallow, I have a feeling that day is why they now have Pelini.

 

[Diego-Bucks]

Didn't see a thread regarding the 2010 season and the Mountain West (I searched but found nothing). If you want to merge it with an existing thread go for it.

Just wanted to offer my initial impression of the strength of the conference this season. Maybe start posting articles on the schools, previews of match-ups and what not.

Currently, I have to view the Horned Frogs having the slight edge over the Utes but I reserve the right to change that at any moment... for any reason. :tongue2:

1. TCU
2. Utah
3. Air Force
4. BYU (Things aren't looking too good for the Cougars, Nevada next week should give a solid indicator for their chances when the conference slate begins)
5. San Diego State (Yes!!, much higher than we've been in the past.)
6. Wyoming
7. UNLV
8. Colorado State
9. New Mexico

I do think my Aztecs are on the up and up. They've been a dormant program for 15+ years, but we've produced a lot of NFL talent over the years and have the campus, academic profile and region to recruit well going forward. If Brady Hoke (SDSU head coach) can reach a bowl game this season and continue the recruitment surge, I'd expect us to begin a serious 3 year run towards the conference title. Unfortunately, with SDSU having an off campus stadium and a general So-Cal attitude towards non-winning sport competitions they won't have the fan-base until they win something.

If this conference ever cleans up their contract/broadcast issues, they have the types of programs that will make this a nationally relevant conference (not that it hasn't been, but I'm talking BCS auto-bid in 6 years or so). Lots of potential here, even without Utah (and fuck BYU). And I absolutely love the conference additions (Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada). Look for this conference to also consider adding Houston and/or Utah State in the next few seasons.

 

[Diego-Bucks]

TCU's and Utah's BCS chances against Boise State

Somewhat interesting that TCU's and Utah's possibilities this season take the back-seat to Boise State's national title chances.

If TCU finishes the season undefeated, they would have beaten: Oregon State, Baylor, Utah**, BYU and Air Force

If Utah goes undefeated they'd have beaten: Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Iowa State, BYU, Air Force, TCU**

And if Boise State: Va Tech, Oregon State, Fresno State and Nevada.

*note that Oregon State will be a common opponent for both TCU and Boise State
** TCU and Utah are conference opponents

Of the three, the possibilities for Utah seem much better in terms of quality of opponent. When you consider Utah was ranked #2 in the nation for the 2008 season and has 2 BCS Bowl wins, I think their past history is just as high and relevant as Boise State's.

 

[Diego-Bucks]

Looking into Week 4 for the Mountain West, we are not yet into the bulk of the conference slate but we have a few intriguing match-ups for some of the contenders in their non-conference play.

Best Match-ups:
Nevada at BYU
WAC opponent Nevada faces off against slumping BYU. I think Nevada rushes all over the field and wins by 14+. If the Cougars are able to stunt the ground game, it will bode well for their conference chances as TCU, SDSU, Utah and Air Force are all nationally top-30 rushing teams.

TCU at SMU
This is a match-up that on paper should be a blow-out. However, SMU is trending up under June Jones, I think they could pass their way to a close game... just don't expect TCU to sweat too much.

Utah State at San Diego State
A match-up of two programs in the middle hierarchy in their respective conferences. I'd prefer it if my Aztecs win this one and I like our ground game, but Lindley (our QB) is inconsistent. Probably comes down to the line-play. Aztecs.

 

[Diego-Bucks]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOxIgq5Q9AY&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube - Highlights vs. Missouri 09/18/10[/ame]

Some key highlights for SDSU vs. Missouri in the near-upset. Ronnie Hillman is piling up some great statistics in a powerful Aztec running game. Watch the highlights around the :58 second mark for a tremendous (and somewhat illegal) effort on a 93 yard run.

The Mountain West may be a much deeper conference this season than in years past if this type of effort can continue for the Aztecs.