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Jul. 23, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Boise State might seek spot in league

Humanitarian Bowl bid could be part of effort

By MARK ANDERSON
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson, shown at a news conference Tuesday at Green Valley Ranch Station, said he expects his league to secure a bid in the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl.
Photo by Craig L. Moran

Could the Mountain West Conference's next step be adding Boise State?

League commissioner Craig Thompson didn't sound eager Tuesday to invite the Broncos, but he said an agreement appears in reach with the Boise-based Humanitarian Bowl.

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The Mountain West could send a team to that game this season if the Atlantic Coast Conference fails to qualify an eighth bowl team, but a deal would be for a guaranteed spot in 2009 for the No. 5 MWC team. The league's other four bowl contracts expire then, and the Humanitarian could negotiate to move up and take a higher-finishing Mountain West team.

Thompson didn't deny Boise State might use the bowl as a means to gain admission into the Mountain West.

"It's two different deals, but they probably will," Thompson said. "I think we will get the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl done with or without Boise State's influence."

A Mountain West representative would face a team from the Western Athletic Conference, which includes Boise State. The Broncos played the past two seasons in the Hawaii and Fiesta bowls.

"I'm making a major presumption here, which is dangerous, but I've heard that Boise State doesn't always like to play in the Boise bowl," Thompson said. "If they're having a Mountain West opponent, they'll probably say, 'Sign me up!' "

• TRYING TO KEEP THE AZTECS -- The uncertainty over whether the NFL's Chargers will remain in San Diego County has created tension about San Diego State's football future.

Even if the Chargers vacate Qualcomm Stadium in January, Thompson said the Aztecs probably would be allowed to stay there for an undetermined amount of time until a permanent solution is found.

Thompson didn't rule out the Mountain West helping the Aztecs pay rent to stay at Qualcomm.

"We need San Diego State," he said. "We need them to have a football team."

• TRUE NATIONAL TV -- One of the reasons for the Mountain West's move away from ESPN two years ago was to play conference games at more reasonable times. But CBS is a different level, and now the league is willing to allow some games to be played at 9 a.m. Pacific if they are placed on CBS.

That time slot, Thompson hopes, would allow CBS to meet its requirement for the amount of children's programming on Saturdays while also not interfering with any Southeastern Conference kickoffs.

• AMONG THE GREATS -- To celebrate its 10th year of operation, the Mountain West released its all-time football team, which included former UNLV defenders Beau Bell and Jamaal Brimmer.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.

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Please enter your name Name: Please enter your email Email: Please enter a comment COMMENTS : (word count limit is 300) You have reached the maximum number of words allowed Current Word Count: Ryan wrote on September 29, 2008 02:25 PM: Commissioner Thompso is a moron and has been horrible for the MWC! The whole debacle with the Mtn. channel. Saying that the conference, "needs SDSU?" Downplaying the addition of Boise St.? Are you kidding me? There isn't a fan of the MWC that wouldn't jump at the chance to add Boise, let alone contract SDSU. How does this guy still have a job?!! Chasen Callaway wrote on September 26, 2008 08:31 PM: Boise State should be moved into the MWC. BSU's record in the WAC since joining in 2001 is 52-4. They have also won 6 WAC titles since joining. In their first year in the WAC (2001) they proved it when going into Fresno and beating the unbeaten #7 Bulldogs 35 to 30. On the downside though BSU has never been picked to win the WAC including this season and they have never started any season ranked. As for example Fresno St has started three seasons ranked since 2001. On another upside though Boise State has won 50% of their bowl games while being in the WAC and those victories were against good teams (Iowa St, TCU, and Oklahoma). The ones they lost were even close games when losing to Louisville 44-40, Boston College 27-21, and ECU 41-38. All in all its shown that BSU deserves to be a Mountain West team. They need real opponents!!!!!!! Rob wrote on July 28, 2008 09:08 PM: Boise State football has never lost to a MWC conference opponent since the conference was created. The MWC and Boise State need each other. Enough said. Mike Heath wrote on July 28, 2008 07:35 AM: Boise State a premier team? Boise State's football team has never beaten a team from a BCS conference on the road, and you call them a premier team!?!? That is total joke. Boise State has a decent football team that is far from being top tier. Other than that, they are in every way a glorified JC. They don't deserve to be in or near the Mountain West, which by any ranking system is superior to the WAC in every sport. Tyler wrote on July 24, 2008 09:51 PM: Id suggest you study the sargin ratings. You would see the MWC is closer to the ACC than the WAC... Boise State wants in the Mtn West. They sent a letter to all the presidents of the MWC. just do a search for it on google. Tyler Dave wrote on July 23, 2008 03:05 PM: A move to the MWC would be a coup for Boise State and despite what you think a tougher schedule from top to bottom since there will no longer be a Utah State, Idaho or New Mexico State to laugh ones way through. You merely trade Fresno and Hawaii for BYU, Utah and TCU which is a tougher walk in the park for the Broncos. And John; You'll see Utah and BYU join the PAC-10 or Big-12 LONG before Boise State is even looked at since they lack the academics that the two big Wasatch Front schools have a HUGE advantage in. The state of Idaho lacks the comitment to higher education beyond what is in Moscow, and even if they moved every graduate program there south to the capitol, it still would pale in comparison to what is on the hill in SLC or down in Provo. Also both BYU and Utah have larger donor bases in their respective booster clubs than the Broncos. I also expect that with a rebuilt program at BYU under Mendenhall, the Broncos will be 0-4 against BYU during their forthcoming 4 game set. John wrote on July 23, 2008 02:36 PM: Reread the article and would add to the above that Craig Thompson sounds a little bit pompous when he talks like a Premier team like Boise State would want to join the Mt. West. Why would they? They wouldn't have anything to gain. Boise State is better than the Mt. West. John wrote on July 23, 2008 12:27 PM: MOUNTAIN WEST? Why in the world would Boise State want to be in a league that is on the same par with the WAC. It's certainly not any better than the WAC. Boise States needs to join either the PAC-10 or the Big 12. G wrote on July 23, 2008 12:05 PM: 9 am on saturday (and on CBS) is a lot better than 8 pm on Tuesday (on ESPN2)