WAC and Mountain West Conference: Joining The BCS Club

The Bowl Championship Series is an exclusive club. One that you must be adopted into; you can't simply join freely.

For the outsiders: if you aren't brought to the party, don't expect to party.

After Boise State's undefeated season in 2006 and win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, questions began to arise regarding the "fairness" of the BCS system. Although the Broncos won every game they played, they were still ranked behind two-loss LSU and Southern California.

Boise St. was the only undefeated football team that year.

Utah was able to accomplish an undefeated season in 2008, including a beating of Alabama. After their season was over, they were ranked second in the Associated Press and fourth in the USA Today Coaches Poll. 

Utah was the only undefeated football team that year.

The Bowl Championship series is supposed to be for everybody, it is designed to find a National Champion. Just don't expect, a shot unless you're from the "Big Six."

The "Big Six" or "BCS Conferences" are given a Golden Ticket to the BCS party every year.

Well, I'd like to introduce the seventh wonder of the College Sports world: The Mountain Western Athletic Conference.

The name needs work but that is not the issue.

The MWAC is a combination of Mountain West and Western Athletic Conference teams.  The Following can step up and receive their potential ticket to the BCS Bash:

• Boise State
• Fresno State
• Utah State
• Nevada
• Hawaii
• Louisiana Tech
• BYU
• Air Force
• TCU
• Utah
• San Diego State
• UNLV
• New Mexico
• Colorado State

This conference put four teams in the Top 25 at the end of the season. They also have a 3-1 record in BCS Bowl Games.  No other conference has a higher winning percentage in BCS games.

This 14 team conference will work with a round-robin schedule. The teams with the best records in conference will be invited to play in the MWAC Conference Championship. There will not be a divisonal split in this conference.

Using divisions within conferences sets you up for unbalanced games. Texas and Oklahoma should have played again in the BIG 12 Championship game last year.

Numerous SEC Championships have neglected the two best SEC teams because they happen to come from the same division.

Let the two best teams decide who wins this conference!

For people who complain about scheduling being the issue for non-BCS teams, the schedules will be as competitive as any conference, including the SEC.  Each team will play nine conference games and three out of conference games.

With these teams working together and their geographic location, it will allow for the MWAC to challenge the Pac-10 and Big 12 with in state games.  Keeping Louisiana Tech in will allow for help in recruiting, along with challenging the SEC.

An Example of a TCU Schedule for 2009 MWAC Play Randomly Selected:

• SMU (OOC)
  
• Hawaii
• Utah
• Texas (OOC)
  
• Houston(OOC)
• Nevada
• Boise State
• Fresno State
• New Mexico
• BYU
• Louisiana Tech
• Air Force

This is not an easy schedule, by the least. The only teams to not make a bowl game on this schedule are: SMU, and New Mexico.  Whomever comes out of this conference on top can truly claim a spot in the BCS shuffle.

If this conference can become a reality, it will allow for more than a simple BCS position for former mid-major teams. By increasing the number of teams truly eligible for the National Title, you also increase the excitement of College Football.

Every year, we might discuss a "BCS Buster" but we never talk about a "National Championship Buster." This will a create a possible "National Championship Buster."

Imagine what the College Football landscape would do if TCU were to be in the BCS title game?

The second great thing coming from the MWAC is the respect level given to these teams.

Recruitment is all about playing the "big boys." The MWAC would be loaded with Big Boys.  Recruits will now go to TCU, UNLV, Utah State etc. to get a chance to show they can play major college football.

This will allow for these new BCS teams to recruit better athletes. Many student-athletes chose to go to the "Big Six" and sit the bench rather than play in a "lesser conference." Their will be a larger spread of talent across major programs with the inclusion of 14 new "major programs."

There is one issue to this new conference and that is the BCS itself.

The reason these teams dont merge and create such a conference is because no one can be sure that it will pay off. If the BCS would give a spot to this conference, it would be a great accomplishment for all of the participants.

Everybody wants a piece of the BCS pie. The Mountain West and WAC have each had a bite and they want to continue in the experience. If the MWAC would ever come to  life, I'd hope the BCS would be smart enough to give them a bid.  They've worked hard for it, and these teams are ready for their annual opportunity at glory.