This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Logan • On the football field, Utah State suffered a huge loss to Louisiana Tech, and in the process took a big blow in its hopes to get to six wins and bowl eligibility.
In conference realignment, however, the news is potentially much better for the Aggies.
The Salt Lake Tribune has learned that Utah State is a part of a proposed megaconference that would include the consolidation of the Mountain West, Conference USA and the Big East. According to a source, the Aggies, along with San Jose State and Louisiana Tech would move into the superconference, which would consist of four divisions and 32 teams.
Utah State, the source said, would make the move in all sports, as the Mountain West would be in need of a basketball-playing school. It isn't clear whether San Jose State and Louisiana Tech would be football-only members.
"This conference would appear to be the best window of opportunity for Utah State," the source told The Tribune.
Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson and C-USA commissioner Britton Banowsky submitted their proposal in writing to Big East commissioner John Marinatto on Thursday of last week, the source said.
The megaconference, which doesn't have an official name, is being proposed in an effort to help the Big East retain automatic-qualifying status into the Bowl Championship Series along with the Mountain West and C-USA gaining access to the BCS.
A week ago, the two leagues announced an alliance that would allow the two conference champions to play each other.
Missouri potentially joining the Southeastern Conference is the domino that could make this happen, said the source. Then, the Big 12 will potentially grab West Virginia out of the Big East. There has been talk of Boise State and Air Force jumping to the Big East as well. And under that scenario, a source close to USU said, the Aggies would still have a chance at an invite to the MWC.
The WAC is currently talking to Boise State and Air Force about potentially being a landing spot for their non-football-playing sports. But conference presidents, the source said, are balking at that idea, citing the desperate need for football-playing institutions.
The WAC has already accepted Denver and Seattle Universities as non-football-playing schools. They will begin play next season.
"There is no guarantee that the Big East is going to keep its AQ status," the source said. "So it may not be smart for Boise State and Air Force to move if the superconference idea doesn't work. They may want to stay in the Mountain West and see what their options are."
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