^^^Jackie, I don't think the Big 12 thinks the same way as other conferences. I think they are simply looking at football pedigree. I don't think markets mean much to them.

@SIPeteThamel: Three sources told me today that Boise's departure from the Big East is inevitable. "I would be shocked if it didnt' happen".

Pretty sure he's saying this relates to immediate/short term ..not long term. Would guess that this move will further cement the cluster that is our current conference situation forcing us into taking even more C-USA rejects ...UAB, SMiss, etc...just so we can have a damn conference.

At some point joining the C7 for basketball with UConn and putting football in the Mountain West becomes our best option. Right now I don't think Boise State is gone rather I see this move pushing the Big East to form an all sports western division with Boise, SDSU, UNLV, Fresno State, and few other Texas or western schools. The big fight will be between what is left of the Big East and the Mountain West.

If Cincinnati or UConn leave the current league the Mountain West wins, heck those school will pick which conference below the top five is the biggest winner by either joining the C7/MW (football) staying in the Big East (national conference), or moving on to the ACC, Big Ten, or Big 12.

I don't see the Big Ten making a move again, while the Big 12 could expand but will they focus on BYU, Mountain West, Big East, and other easier picks or go after a top dog in the ACC. If I ran the Big 12 I would want Cincy, UConn, Memphis, and BYU. Basketball would be awesome and football would already be good.

Agree

go C7 all sports but football (UCONN comes too)

football only in MW

if we don't get a big boy invite (I think we will) then this is our best option.

Turn the lights out on the way out. This conference is done.

(12-21-2012 06:13 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  Agree

go C7 all sports but football (UCONN comes too)

football only in MW

if we don't get a big boy invite (I think we will) then this is our best option.

We aren't putting football into the Mountain West - independent has to better than that. Play Miami, Louisville, UConn, BYU, Navy, Army, South Florida and make it work.

Brian Murphy (@murphsturph)
12/21/12 7:59 PM
.@ESPNAndyKatz reports Boise State discussing staying in Mountain West: es.pn/WvNwNs

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/...g-big-east



The source said that current and scheduled 2013 Mountain West members New Mexico, Colorado State, UNLV, Air Force, Wyoming, Nevada, Fresno State and incoming Utah State and San Jose State -- and Hawaii in just football -- have pledged a commitment to the Mountain West. The hope is Boise State will reconsider and come back to the Mountain West.

Multiple sources said the Big East is having a hard time putting together a long-term television contract with the membership in flux for 2014 and beyond.

The remaining Mountain West members are attempting to convince Boise State that it would have more security staying put rather than going to a conference that could still lose two key members in Cincinnati and UConn if there is more movement by the Big Ten and ACC. Cincinnati and UConn were public about the desire to join the ACC, but Louisville was chosen over the two rivals.

At this point, both schools have to stay in the Big East, but sources at Cincinnati and UConn are under the impression -- even if it's not known to be true yet -- the Big Ten will raid the ACC for two more schools -- North Carolina and Georgia Tech.

Both Cincinnati and UConn sources have said they ultimately think they will be in the ACC and it's a case of not if but when.

I like the last sentence of what he said. He should have some good inside info since he spent some time with Whit and Ono on Wednesday prior to the shoot out.

RT @dennisdoddcbs: Breaking: MWC restructures deal with CBS. Next move is Boise's. http://cbsprt.co/UWJj4z

Funny Katz changed the wording of that sentence from the 755p story to the 825pm update....dropping the it's not if but when part

From Dan Wolken from USA Today: How badly does TV want to destroy the Big East? CBS basically devalued its own deal with the MWC to make it happen.

There are a lot of factors at play in all this, and I'm by no means one of the ESPN CONSPIRACY types, but its hard to imagine ESPN and CBS being disappointed that there isn't a Big East conference out there (even in crap form) for NBC to pick up as programming for NBCSN.