Apparently the Mountain West Conference (MWC) does not. According to AP reporting, the presidents of the Mountain West Conference decided against extending an invitation to Boise State, which is currently a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Although MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson clarified that his conference's decision was not final and that the MWC was just waiting to see how the greater NCAA conference alignment would play out, I still don't understand the logic in not extending an invitation at the earliest possible moment. What is the downside to having Boise State in your conference? Sure, they play on a ridiculous looking blue artificial turf field, so what? They are a great team, check out their record since joining the WAC in 2002:2002: 12-1 (8-0 in conference)
If Boise State finds greener (or bluer) grass in another conference, I have a feeling that Craig Thompson and the MWC presidents are going to feel a lot like Arrested Development's Tobias Funke after his failed attempt to land a role with the Blue Man Group.
2003: 13-1 (8-0)
2004: 11-1 (8-0)
2005: 9-4 (7-1)
2006: 13-0 (8-0)
2007: 10-3 (7-1)
2008: 12-1 (8-0)
2009: 14-0 (8-0)
Beyond their ridiculous dominance of the WAC, Boise State routinely beats bigger conference teams in BIG games. Most recently, Boise State beat the MWC Champion TCU in this year's BCS Fiesta Bowl. Also, don't forget that Boise State used the freaking Statue of Liberty play to beat Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. Think about that, the freaking Statue of Liberty play...even the crappy non-HD youtube version of it is awesome.
If Boise State finds greener (or bluer) grass in another conference, I have a feeling that Craig Thompson and the MWC presidents are going to feel a lot like Arrested Development's Tobias Funke after his failed attempt to land a role with the Blue Man Group.