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HENDERSON, Nev. - A Mountain West Conference football team could be heading to the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho, as soon as this year, MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said in his annual state of the conference address on Tuesday.
Also, the commissioner said, the possibility exists that some MWC football games will be be televised nationally, or at least regionally, by CBS in the future, although they will likely have to start at 10 a.m. Saturdays to accommodate the network's existing deal with the Southeastern Conference.
"We're not there yet, but those are some things we are working towards," he said as the MWC football meetings concluded.
As far as other television distribution issues are concerned, Thompson had few developments to report. Satellite distributor DirecTV begins carrying the Mtn. Network on Aug. 27, but the other major satellite company, DISH Network, does not appear to be coming on board soon.
"DISH has the exact same proposal that DirecTV signed. It's up to DISH," Thompson said. "I know a lot of people have switched [from DISH to DirecTV]."
The possibility of the MWC sending a fifth team to the Humanitarian Bowl was raised in the spring when the ACC announced it was ending its partnership bowl.
Thompson said talks have been primarily focused on the 2009 game and beyond, but said "there might be an outside shot we could get in this year."
Humanitarian Bowl Executive Director Kevin McDonald, who attended Tuesday's media gathering, acknowledged that the bowl game is working with the MWC as a possible replacement for the ACC.
"I think we have a good chance of putting something together," McDonald said. "Hopefully we will have something put together soon."
McDonald said talks right now with the MWC are for the 2009 game only because almost every conference-bowl game contract in the country expires after that year. The Humanitarian Bowl committee will talk about 2010 and beyond with the MWC, the Pac-10 and perhaps one or two other conferences, he said.
Thompson said if the ACC is unable to provide a team with a 6-6 record or better this year, the MWC might be part of a "contingency agreement" to provide a team to the Humanitarian Bowl, similar to the deal it had with the Texas Bowl in Houston last year.
10th Anniversary Team
Utah and BYU are represented with five athletes each on the MWC's 10th Anniversary Team, which was announced Tuesday.
The Utes: quarterback Alex Smith (2002-04), offensive linemen Doug Kaufusi (1999-01) and Jordan Gross (1999-02), defensive lineman Steve Fifita (2002-05) and defensive back Eric Weddle (2003-06).
The Cougars: RB Luke Staley (1999-01), TE Jonny Harline (2004-06), DL Brady Poppinga (2001-04), LB Rob Morris (1999) and P Matt Payne (2001-04).
Offense
Pos. Player School Years
QB Alex Smith Utah 2002-04
RB DonTrell Moore New Mexico 2002-05
RB Luke Staley BYU 1999-01
WR David Anderson Colorado State 2002-05
WR Jovon Bouknight Wyoming 2002-05
TE Jonny Harline BYU 2004-06
OL Ryan Cook New Mexico 2002-05
OL Adam Goldberg Wyoming 1999-02
OL Jordan Gross Utah 1999-02
OL Doug Kaufusi Utah 1999-01
OL Erik Pears Colorado State 2001-04
K John Sullivan New Mexico 2004-07
Defense
DL Steve Fifita Utah 2002-05
DL Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila San Diego State 1999
DL Chase Ortiz TCU 2005-07
DL Brady Poppinga BYU 2001-04
LB Beau Bell UNLV 2004-07
LB Rob Morris BYU 1999
LB Kirk Morrison San Diego State 2001-04
DB Jamaal Brimmer UNLV 2001-04
DB Will Demps San Diego State 1999-01
DB Brian Urlacher New Mexico 1999
DB Eric Weddle Utah 2003-06
P Matt Payne BYU 2001-04
PRKR Dexter Wynn Colorado State 2000-03