RipCityPDX

That may be true, but it is such a strange new world, I wonder if it would work for others. Oregon will willingly play OSU every year (and Washington -WSU). I suspect all 4 could get non-con games against each other plus half of the former P12 every year playing former rivals about every 4th year at home. Throw in a FBS game and you already have most of a schedule filled, just need some 3-4 more games (like scheduling non-con). I totally realize the other consideration is SELLING that to TV rights, but they may do a whole lot better than expected. I would laugh my ass off if the non-Stanford set there did better independently (possible) than the offer to the P12. I don't think any of those teams are ever going to be ND "independent" cache (much like U Conn and Army presently). There are dozens of teams that have been independent at some point and if I was those schools I would pick that over the MWC to start at least. Going to the MWC is accepting being Tier 2 which well may end up the case, but I wouldn't intentionally run to it.

Haven't posted anything here in over 7 years - honestly lost interest in college football in general about that time, but thought I would come given the news that the conference is soon to be the Pac4. Honestly I hate it. Money grab by the haves (including my team), smart geographic quick moves out by Colorado (and maybe the Arizona schools and Utah) leaving the Cougs, Beavs, Trees and Bearz holding the bag. It will be a really strange new world, that is for sure. If I was those 4, I would go independent - all of them. I would NOT move to the Mountain West, even if invited - that might be a future move if independence doesn't work, but I would try it first. Try to schedule the P12 diaspora (each other every year, plus the other teams but it frees up the ability to schedule some Big 12 teams and perhaps a longer travel game each year East with a H/H. This sucks. I am wasn't alive when the shenanigans took place to screw over Oregon and OSU in the 50s-60s, then later the conference turned around and admitted them. I don't even remember the Pac8 as I was 8 when ASU and Arizona were added - about the time I started to become aware of bowl games, etc.. But I fell in love with the Pac10 in the 80s and beyond. It feels like an actual person just died - just sad.