Texas and Oklahoma set off another chain reaction in the college landscape. And it could all end with UNLV being left out.
When the SEC poached the two biggest names from the Big 12, the domino effect started. The Big 12 decided to add – and they did so by grabbing BYU and some of the best teams from the AAC in Cincinnati, UCF and Houston. Now the AAC is expected to make a move.
According to Brett McMurphy, Colorado State and Air Force could leave the Mountain West for the AAC next week. While losing the two Colorado schools does not spell the end for the Mountain West, a continuation of re-alignment could.
Matt Norlander reported that Boise State rejected an offer from the AAC because they are holding out for an invitation from the Big 12. And San Diego State could be in the same situation.
If Colorado State and Air Force leave, the Mountain West would be left with 10 football programs. That conference could survive with that number, especially with Boise State and San Diego State at the top. But if those two jump for the Big 12, the conference quickly weakens.
The Mountain West would be looking at these eight schools as football members:
Fresno State
Hawaii
Nevada
New Mexico
San Jose State
UNLV
Utah State
Wyoming
That is a terrible conference.
Even if the Mountain West adds teams, the reported candidates are schools like Tulsa or North Texas. No one that would actually make the conference better, just bigger.
But the more significant issue in Vegas is where is UNLV’s name in any of these conversations? The AAC reached out to four Mountain West schools and none of them were UNLV?
UNLV would like to be viewed as legitimate power conference options like Boise State and San Diego State. But apparently Colorado State and Air Force are more attractive options.
If those four schools end up leaving the Mountain West, UNLV will have a football program with one bowl appearance in the last 20 years, a basketball program with no NCAA Tournament trips in the last seven years and a putrid conference.