Ivan Maisel ESPN.com Chat

The whole realignment stuff came up on his chat this afternoon, I thought I'd share...

Nothing earth-shattering

Aaron (Boise)

Hey Ivan, big fan of your podcast, keep up the good work. Will BYU decide that independence isn't worth the gamble and stick around? If they do, who is the MWC's 12 member? I vote Houston, but with the recent "Alliance" talks between the MWC and Conf USA is that unlikely?

Ivan Maisel (2:34 PM)

To me, it seems like BYU's decision to go off on its own doesn't have much to do with the MWC. Either they want to do it or they don't, especially after commissioner Craig Thompson said last week that the MWC won't cut a Texas-like deal with BYU to entice them to stay. Any C-USA team going to the MWC would be interesting because it would open a spot in C-USA for La. Tech, which would be one more blow to the WAC.

Wouldn't it suck if Benson got in the way of a CUSA invite?!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by T_Won



Wouldn't it suck if Benson got in the way of a CUSA invite?!!

I would think we could sue if that pinhead got in our way in order to save his little job and costs us possibly $millions in future revenues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by T_Won



Wouldn't it suck if Benson got in the way of a CUSA invite?!!

I pretty sure the CUSA guys are smart enough to know not to listen to anything that Benson says.

I would be thrilled if Benson tried to keep us in the WAC. That means he would fail and we'd be out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by T_Won



Wouldn't it suck if Benson got in the way of a CUSA invite?!!

Conversely, wouldn't it be nice if Benson had-

1. Agreed to the GMAC Mobile Bowl renewal terms in 2001 when we joined and TCU left instead of favoring "only 'western' bowls going forward"?

2. Spent more time trying to keep SMU, UTEP, Rice, and Tulsa?

3. Been more aggressive in forming a 12-team league with a (WWAC vs EWAC) championship game?

4. Spent more time promoting the entire WAC instead of just his alma mater Boise State?

5. Negotiated for a better tv contract financially, instead of settling for more appearances?

The list could go on and on, but that is enough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishingBack



I would be thrilled if Benson tried to keep us in the WAC. That means he would fail and we'd be out.

I didn't think of it that way. Everytime he tries to keep somebody in, they leave.

Benson can't do anything to keep us. He is out of his element when trying to fight to keep a program in the fold. He doesn't know how - obviously........