Where Does the Mountain West Conference Go from Here?

With Utah looking in the rear view mirror, where does the MWC go to assure its Auto bid does not slip away, as the Utes are poised to do?

Options

The conference has a couple options and, with the addition of Boise State last week, is in at least as good a position as they were before the Utes defection.

But the question remains, how does the conference guarantee it gets an auto bid?

They could stand pat and hope the bottom gets better, without taking away from the big three, go out and get one to three programs that boost the conference OOC winning percentage, or go big and grow to 16 teams over the next several years.

Of the three, only going after one to three schools makes financial sense, so who are the real candidates?

Fresno State  

Bring Boise's rival from the WAC, and dig deep into California's recruiting well. Adding a growing TV market does not hurt either.

Houston

This is a solid program on the rise, but they offer sub-standard facilities (currently), while being located in a Major TV market that is controlled by Texas A&M and Texas. But playing in a BCS conference might help grow the audience.

UTEP

They offer a big market and great community support, with a large stadium. UTEP in a power conference could become another Utah, attendance-wise. Up and down in terms of wins and losses, but they could develop into a major conference rival for New Mexico. Finally, they're a solid basketball school as well.

SMU  

SMU is a small private school, only 30 minutes from TCU, offering a potential long-term rival. Their small stadium hurts, but it looks a lot better than Texas Stadium did half full when the Pony express played there in the early 1980's. They are an up and coming program that could get much better under June Jones.

Texas Tech  

Yep I said it, Texas Tech. The last of the Big XII to fall to the wishes of Texas, and none to happy about the financial end of the deal. Texas Tech will start looking along with the Aggies in the near future. Tech brings a great program and large fanbase to the MWC. This addition alone would push the Autobid question over the edge.

So what next?

Grab three programs that help build the reputation, and institute a championship game.

Mile High anyone?