Last October, the two conferences announced that they were combining into one football association. But for legal reasons, both conferences will dissolve and form “…a new intercollegiate athletic association that would begin competition in the 2013-14 academic year.”
This new conference will consist of 18 to 24 universities that span from the East Coast to Hawaii. Furthermore, the conference will have a championship football game that will include two semifinal match-ups.
“This is an exciting development that will stabilize the current conferences and create the first truly national conference with members in five time zones and television viewership from coast to coast. This partnership brings together like-minded institutions to improve the integrity and stability of intercollegiate athletics,” said UNLV President Neal Smatresk. “We are moving our plans forward rapidly and expect to complete our conversations in the near future. Look for further announcements soon as we work together on this exciting new venture.”
The new conference, which has not been named, is expected to initially consist of C-USA teams East Carolina, Marshall, Rice, Southern Miss, Tulane, Tulsa, UAB and UTEP and MWC members Air Force, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, UNLV and Wyoming. Each school would join the conference in all sports except Hawaii, which would be a football-only member.
CBSSports.com reports that the Temple Owls are a possibility for the 17th member.
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View Comments (28)
18 to 24 members? Isn't 16 already too many?
But they've already registered the names the Big 18 Conference and the Big 24 Conference. So that rules out 16.
This will help give the mid major schools a chance to show how a college football playoff can work or not work. The Big West Schools must be a target as are the Sunbelt schools. So 4 divisions, with each division winner playing in a 4 team playoff. So if Southern Miss, Arkansas St., Air Force, and Utah St. win there divisions,then they would play USM vs ARK.St and AFA vs Utah ST. The winners USM vs AFA in a championship game. there are alot of things that can come out of this, the Big Eastis the conference that is in real trouble.
I agree, its a good move for these two conferences.
American Heartland Conference
Atlantic-Pacific Conference
This could be the end of CF and we love it. 24 teams in 1 conf? WTW?
Holy Criminy! Can any one bail faster than the ship is sinking? How about: "The Desperate 17"?
Continental Conference
Looks like we left just in time... shame Air Force didnt see the light.
I would think the WAC would be targeted before both the Sun Belt and the Big West, especially since the Big West isn't a FBS Conference. Texas State, UTSA, and UT-Arlington (which is supposedly working on restarting their football program) would give them 3 desirable Texas locations and allow a full Texas division to be made with Rice and UTEP (possibly New Mexico State as team #6 in the group). Salt Lake is a market they'll want to pick back up as well, and Utah State would provide that access.
I like it. Could call it the "Coast to Coast Conference" and for short "C2C". Awesome set of teams!!!
the Big American conference,wow what a good idea.I think it will benefit both conferences. Marshall,Air force,Colorado State, Hawaii....... great conference. cant wait for the start......