Mountain West, C-USA to form new league

[El Supremo]

DALLAS (AP) — Members of Conference USA and current and future members of the Mountain West are on their way to forming a new conference that will begin in 2013.

The 16 schools announced their plans Monday.

"This is an exciting development that will stabilize the current conferences and create the first truly national conference with members in five time zones and television viewership from coast to coast," UNLV President Neal Smatresk said in statement. "We are moving our plans forward rapidly and expect to complete our conversations in the near future. Look for further announcements soon as we work together on this exciting new venture."

The new conference will likely include 18-24 schools, be split into divisions and not only have a football championship game but also semifinal games, and will hold a conference basketball tournament....

http://news.yahoo.com/mountain-west-c-usa-form-league-201722951--spt.html

UTEP is back with the Rocky Mt. teams again!

[fishwax]

1. sounds a bit like the original WAC expansion that led to the Mountain West in the first place

I wonder how long this one will last.

[El Supremo]

2. You are right.

Former WAC members:

Withdrew in 1978
Pacific-8 Expansion

* Arizona (1962–78)
* Arizona State (1962–78)

Withdrew in 1999
Mountain West Formation

* BYU (1962–99)
* New Mexico (1962–99)
* Utah (1962–99)
* Wyoming (1962–99)
* Colorado State (1967–99)
* San Diego State (1978–99)
* Air Force (1980–99)
* UNLV (1996–99)

Withdrew in 2001
Conference USA Expansion

* TCU (1996–2001)

Withdrew in 2005
Conference USA Expansion

* UTEP (1967–2005)
* Rice (1996–2005)
* SMU (1996–2005)
* Tulsa (1996–2005)

Withdrew in 2011
Mountain West Expansion

* Boise State (2001–2011); will rejoin in 2013 in all sports except football

But will they get an Automatic BCS invite?

[madinmaryland]

3. It will still kick some Pac-10/12 ass!