Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson took his league’s fight for inclusion in the Bowl Championship Series to Capitol Hill last year in hopes of shaking up the system.
While perhaps calling even more attention to what most would consider a flawed system, Thompson and the MWC could not take down the BCS.
But Thompson always noted that – with its on-field performance – the MWC could play its way into the BCS. Last season was the second of a four-year qualifying cycle in which conferences can gain automatic status based on several factors.
The MWC – at least the top half of the league – is doing pretty well so far. And with two more good seasons (especially if the bottom of the league performs better), the league could force its way into the BCS.
Andy Staples of SI.com has a really good look at the qualifying factors and how the MWC has performed to date. Find it here.
For the record, Andy Staples is one of the first national writers to acknowledge Air Force alongside the “Top 3″ in the MWC (albeit, as he notes, to a “lesser extent”). With all of the expansion scenarios looming, let’s hope the quest for a BCS bid doesn’t get crushed.
Scott,
Very true on both points. Interesting that on the MWC coaches conference call on Wednesday a few coaches, when asked about the “Big 3″ said something along the lines of “I think you have to put Air Force in there,” or “I think Air Force is right behind that group.”
If AFA cracks “the Big 3″ this year, that will be twice in 4 years under Calhoun….But we really need to beat Navy.
I enjoyed watching Air Force clips when players from MWC teams were drafted the past few days. Even if they were someoe making a play against us. And how bout the AF Jefferson jersey on stage in the first round?
To do our part in getting the MWC an AQ BCS bid AF needs to do better with its non conf games. The heart breakers to Navy must end. Navy is all too good to make stupid mistakes. This year is going to be tough with away at Oklahoma and a resurgent Army in addition to what looks like a very good Navy team again.