Read your story from Dec. 26, 2012 about New Mexico and Colorado State playing a role in the game of tug-of-war between the Big East and the MWC. Yours -- though using no primary sources or even much secondary attribution -- still had a sense of reason and objectivity that is missing in all the "THE BIG EAST IS DEAD" fad stories and their corresponding overreaction that the MWC is now somehow in a place of strength now that Boise State and (probably a disappointed) SDSU will remain in that league.
Ultimately and ironically, I think common goals and a need for similar schools (in the Big East and MWC) to leverage themselves against the "access conferences" will move these two leagues more toward partnership and cooperation than the current undermining and rivalry between them.