Reader comments
Utah Utes, BYU football: MWC may begin bowling in Boise

grumpolman | 5:08 a.m. July 23, 2008

Leave it to Craig Thompson to say "The future looks bright" because of adding the Boise Ty-D Bowl what a dweeb.

MWC | 6:18 a.m. July 23, 2008

Anyone remember the days when the conference champion played in the Holiday Bowl and Utahn's complained that it wasn't high profile enough.

Anyone reading this excited about the image adding another "glitzy" bowl such as the Roady's Humanitarian? BTW, what is Roady? The ONLY thing I remember from the Humanitarian bowl is the smurf turf.

Unfortunately, even with the proliferation of "everyone and anyone has a bowl game" the MWC is stuck with the dribblings and even the championship game is at a horrible bowl game.

Can anyone say that perhaps the MWC officials need to be replaced?

unbelievable | 7:08 a.m. July 23, 2008

Who would go to this snow bowl? Boise in December? That's a punishment, not a reward for a good season. Craig Thompson needs to be fired.

Comments continue below

Mike Johnson Fallon NV | 7:46 a.m. July 23, 2008

Five bowl games for the conference is a lot better than one, like the old WAC had for decades.

Just What a Fan Wants | 7:50 a.m. July 23, 2008

A game with two mid majors with records barely above .500. Fans will flock to it!

Again, this is what is wrong with the whole college bowl system. These games are starting to look like NFL preseason games minus the talent.

Good for the Utes | 7:53 a.m. July 23, 2008

At least this bowl will enhance the Utes chances of planying in a bowl.

All about money | 8:00 a.m. July 23, 2008

This isn't a bowl game for the conference champion. They're talking about sending the 5th place MWC team to Boise. Which means that instead of staying home this year, Wyoming will get to go to a bowl game for the first time in 40 years.

Adding an extra bowl means more revenue for the conference, provided they can sell some tickets. Boise is close enough that people could drive. From many of the MWC schools ... so selling those tickets shouldn't be that hard.

Also, with the mtn on directv i think the conference future is bright. They're talking with CBS about getting some national games ... these are good things.

The two years with only cable distribution have been a disaster, but moving forward things do look pretty good.

BJ | 8:05 a.m. July 23, 2008

Why don't we just play a bowl game in Laramie in December and call it the "Intermountain Farmers Association Urine Bomb Bowl."

Another Bowl | 8:31 a.m. July 23, 2008

Five guaranteed bowls for 9 teams, assuming there are that many MWC teams who are bowl eligible, is great for the conference. Most of the bowls nowadays are locked into specific conferences so getting an at-large bid to a bowl is only available if a conference doesn't have enough bowl-eligible teams to fill it's available bowl slots.

Playing in ANY bowl is better than staying home watching games on TV. The payout may only be enough to cover travel expenses, but it gives one more conference team an extra month to practice. In the long run, that will be good for the conference.

Besides, playing in Boise, or pretty much anywhere in the West, is much better than playing in Memphis. It's much closer and easier to get to and the weather is not that much different than Memphis.

When you're a small market, non-BCS conference, you take what you can get from the bowl feast, even if it's table scraps.

Close but no cigar | 8:37 a.m. July 23, 2008

"The Rebels, however, had several close misses and finished the season 2-10 overall and 1-7 in MWC play."

Anyone know who UNLV's lone MWC victim was?

I shouldn't feed the troll, but | 8:46 a.m. July 23, 2008

Wow, that was weak. Assuming you meant that it would increase the Utes chances of "playing" in a bowl, I don't think they'll need it.

5 Years in a row.
7 Bowls in the last 9 years.
All wins.

sob | 9:13 a.m. July 23, 2008

i guess this is a substitute for the short lived r.e. bowl game that people threw up over.
this from the man who brought us the mnt "network"

Fire Thompson | 9:16 a.m. July 23, 2008

Only a clown like Thompson would think that things are going well with this conference. The fact that the mtn is finally on one of major satellite systems may have quieted some of the complaining from fans, but it still will be very difficult for the average football fan to find a MWC game. And just wait until people see how bad the announcers/productions are on the mtn. It's pretty weak.

And the "maybe some games some day will be on CBS" talk is still just talk. Did you notice the fine print? The games would have to kick off at 10am. Didn't Thompson walk away from ESPN because of bad kick off times (among other things)?

And who in their right mind would think that a bowl game against a WAC team in Idaho is a positive for the conference? Seriously.

More small minded ideas from Thompson just like pretty much everything else he's ever done. They should fire him and bring in someone with executive experience at one of the BCS conferences who has some vision about what could be done to actually IMPROVE the conference. Not just try to keep it alive.

Ute in Philadelphia | 9:42 a.m. July 23, 2008

ï¿½ï¿½instead of staying home this year, Wyoming will get to go to a bowl game for the first time in 40 years.ï¿½

Watch that decimal place. Wyoming played in the Las Vegas Bowl in 2004, and beat UCLA in a more convincing fashion than BYU.

Adding another guaranteed bowl slot for the MWC is a good thing. It gives us a little more exposure to the national media, provides an extra month of practice, and offers a little experience in "pressure" situations.

However...

Don't we already HAVE a post-season match-up with the WAC in New Mexico? And even that match-up is an "also-ran" unheralded MWC vs. "also-ran" unheralded WAC team. The Humanitarian Bowl is being set up to be the 2 teams that couldn't cut it in Albuquerque!

It's time to reorganize the leadership currently in existence within our conference. Our representatives have demonstrated a propensity to, in football terms, "play not to lose" rather than "play to win". Craig Thompson, et al, have not directed us forward, but rather left us stagnated. Remaining in place is falling behind. The vision for the future of the MWC had been lost. New leadership is thus being called for.

Fire Thompson | 10:36 a.m. July 23, 2008

...or if the PAC-10 is on drugs, then they can have him. Nothing against the guy personally...he's just a really bad comissioner.

Bowl | 11:30 a.m. July 23, 2008

I would like to see a WAC championship vs. MWC championship played in the Las Vegas bowl. That is assuming either team is not BCS eligible. Last year that would have placed BSU vs. BYU instead of the 5th place PAC 10 yawner vs. UCLA. I think the MWC winner who ever it is deserves a better match up than the forth of fifth place PAC 10 team. Either renegotiate with the PAC 10 and get their 3rd or even 2nd place team or play the WAC champion who will usually be ranked. Last year BSU was in the top 25 prior to their bowl lose to ECU. Also I like that the MWC will be getting another bowl tie in but come on the conference champion should get a decent appointment in the LAS Vegas bowl. Build the Vegas Bowl into what the Holiday Bowl was and PS fire Thompson for his ineptness!!

GoUtes | 12:01 p.m. July 23, 2008

Hey Good for the Utes,
I think you mean it will guarantee a bowl win for BYU. But let's not push it.

Pointless | 12:21 p.m. July 23, 2008

Forget all the trash talk about Utah and BYU, who traditionly represent the conferece other than TCU in football and UNLV in basketball. This is sad, "more revenue for playing another bowl game" I call B.S.!!! If Caig wants more revenue he needs to realize that will come from a big time T.V. deal. Who cares if the MTN is on DTV, ESPN is on every form of Television cable to sattlelite!!! What a joke future is bright my you know what. Time for the A.Ds to get a set, stand up and fix the issue.

Michael | 12:45 p.m. July 23, 2008

While its true I hate our current tv situation, one has to admit espn was giving us horrible times. I mean weren't we starting games at all hours of the night on like wednesdays and stuff?

Re: Bowling for $$$ | 12:50 p.m. July 23, 2008

It's all about the money. The PAC-10 will send it's teams to whichever bowls pay the most money.

Right now, the PAC-10 is guaranteed one BCS spot and could get a second team in as well.

The PAC-10 has arrangements with the following bowls:

Rose: $14 million to $17 million (Big Ten vs PAC-10)
Holiday: $2.2 million (Big 12 vs PAC-10)
Sun: $1.9 million (Big East vs PAC-10)
Las Vegas: $1 million (MWC vs PAC-10)
Emerald: $750,000 (ACC vs PAC-10)
Armed Forces: $750,000 (C-USA vs PAC-10)

The ONLY way the PAC-10 will send a team higher than their 4th- or 5th-place team to Las Vegas is if the Las Vegas Bowl pays significantly more than the Holiday and Sun bowls.

That will not happen until UNLV expands their standium to around 60,000 AND ESPN (which owns the Las Vegas Bowl) feels that the bowl is a bigger draw (that is, it will make more money) than the Holiday and Sun bowls.

Boscatar | 1:12 p.m. July 23, 2008

How is the creation of the first ever conference-only TV network a "play not to lose." Are you kidding? That was some extreme forward thinking!!! The last two years have been rough for TV coverage. But would rather play games on Sunday and Wednesday night like ESPN wanted.

In its third year, the Mountain should reach the conference's geographic footprint and will be available nationally to anyone who wants it via the DirectTV deal. The CBS option, though early kickoffs, will give the MWC some national coverage that everyone has been whining about.

The MWC has increased annual shared-revenue from $9million to $20 million.

The TV coverage (Mountain, CSTV, Versus, and now CBS) plus the new Humanitarian Bowl possibility will only increase the MWC's exposure and revenues. How is that a bad thing?

What's the other option? OK, let's play the Big East Champ at the Las Vegas Bowl...OK, we accept. Oh, the hard part is getting the other conference's attention.....

Also, realize that besides Utah in '04 and BYU last year, there hasn't been a ton of MWC football action to get the nation excited about....

...also, could the Humanitarian Bowl lead to a Boise State invite?

Las Vegas Bowl | 1:40 p.m. July 23, 2008

Dear BYU,

Why do you want to leave us for Boise? I thought we agreed that you were going to come to us every year?

re Boscatar | 2:46 p.m. July 23, 2008

Do you work for the MWC? I don't remember ever reading such a glowing review of the MWC by anyone on these boards...either Utah or BYU fans...or fans of any other MWC conference team either. Your post is suspiciously upbeat.

The mtn network was HORRIBLY executed. THREE YEARS later it's finally on ONE satellite system and the local cable systems in most of the MWC footprint.

How is that forward thinking?

Let's go back to the mid-90s and the early 2000s and look at the situation then. I live on the east coast and I saw virtually every single BYU game during all of that time. Since the debut of the mtn, I've seen very few BYU football games on TV. I have been able to watch a shaky internet version of most BYU homes games over the past 2 years with the help of my brother who lives in Utah. BYU can't even show its home games on ITS OWN TV CHANNEL.

I get the money side, but the TV deal was not thought through and has significantly hurt national visibility and by extension recruiting.

So now Thompson promises "some" national coverage with CBS "someday"...that's VERY small thinking.

ACC No 8 team? | 3:22 p.m. July 23, 2008

This has got to be a miss print, right?

Tell the folks in Idaho, that Snow and/or Dixie can put up a better game, and draw more fans. and they could use the money

The mtn | 3:43 p.m. July 23, 2008

Mountain West fans should just be happy to get another televised game. That makes 5 televised games on TV next year. Unless, of course the commissioner decides that all MWC bowl games be played on the mtn network.

It really is too bad that no one outside of Utah knows that BYU had such a good season last year. What a waste.

tjs | 4:04 p.m. July 23, 2008

Read the review journal out of Las Vegas. Boise State may come with the

bowl. Their record against the MWC is impecable. 4 GOOD teams in the MWC?

Or not | 6:07 p.m. July 23, 2008

Bosie? uh....

Mike Johnson Fallon NV | 6:29 p.m. July 23, 2008

ACC No 8 team?

No, that wasn't it misprint. The No 8 team out of 12 from the ACC had the tie in to the Humanitarian Bowl.

Neither Snow nor Dixie State would be eligible for the bowl and with luck could put up 20% of the numbers.

Mike Johnson Fallon NV | 6:34 p.m. July 23, 2008

The mtn:

The MWC commissioner doesn't decide TV coverage for bowl games.

BTW, even before the mtn was available, nobody outside of Utah knew about or cared about BYU football, unless they were LDS, and the LDS population outside of Utah still follows BYU football a much as they ever did.

Mike Johnson Fallon NV | 6:35 p.m. July 23, 2008

While it would be nice as a fan of Mountain West to see Boise State in the conference, I have strong doubts about that happening. The Mountain West has no plans to expand, although the WAC must be concerned about the Mountain West raiding the WAC.

I second the motion | 6:40 p.m. July 23, 2008

I too would like to see the WAC champion vs. the MWC champion played in the Las Vegas bowl. Generally that would match ranked teams.

Utes will win Vegas bowl!! | 6:47 p.m. July 23, 2008

I predict the Utes will be ranked in the top 25 and win the Vegas bowl this year!! Too bad they will have dropped out of the top 10 and missed out on the BCS because of their loss at home to the undefeated, top 5 ranked, MWC Champs... Da Cougs!

Mike Johnson Fallon NV | 6:59 p.m. July 23, 2008

I second the motion:

I'll take it one step forward. I would like to the WAC and MWC conference champions play in the Las Vegas bowl during the week of Big-12, SEC, and ACC championships, with an automatic bid to the BCS for the winner. Certainly, with 18 schools, 3 of whom have busted into the BCS and one with a national championship, there would be enough to justify the autobid for the winner of a game between two conference champions.

Mike Johnson Fallon NV | 7:02 p.m. July 23, 2008

Utes wlll win the Vegas bowl:

I like your thinking, in terms of two undefeated teams meeting at RES in November, winner in the BCS. I would just go with the other team to finish undefeated with a second BCS bowl win under the belt. BYU could still win in Vegas.

curtis | 10:00 p.m. July 23, 2008

I have some other suggestions for the winner of the Mountain West conference if Boise is booked that weekend with a Mary Kaye convention. How about Grand Junction Colorado, or Elko Nevada. The commissioner had already obligated the champion to a television deal nobody can watch, and now wants to move us to a bowl game where nobody cares to go....Sounds like a winner.
Maybe if we play in Elko the faithful can at least catch some cowboy poetry, or speculate on how many locals are employed in the worlds oldest profession.
Maybe the commish can also agree to have the game played at midnight, on the opening of the deer hunt, or general conference.

Bowling for Everyone | 10:27 p.m. July 23, 2008

That's funny, 5 guaranteed bowls for the Mountain West Conference, I think that's funny. More than half the teams in the converence go bowling...

The Sandiego State's and Wyomings of the conference better start scheduling more DII and Utah State games so they can have the necessary 6 wins to qualify.

mtn | 10:54 p.m. July 23, 2008

To Mr. Mike Johnson,
Obviously you don't understand sarcasm. Yes, I know that the commish doesn't pick the bowl tv coverage. It was a underhanded shot at Mr. Thompson. I'm embarassed that I have to explain this.

Second of all, I'm sure all of us would love a WAC vs. MWC champion bowl game, but the MWC is always trying to pretend they are on the fringe of becoming a BCS conference and would rather have their champion play the 5th best team in the PAC-10 than Boise. Too bad because it would be a good game each year.

Finally, BYU and Utah have both been on the national scene in the past (BYU's 1984 undefeated season, Utah's Fiesta Bowl victory, BYU's Cotton Bowl, Detmer's Heisman, Alex Smith's selection in the draft). I'm not saying they're Texas or Michigan, but at least most noticed than New Mexico or Rice.

Dime a dozen | 8:49 p.m. July 24, 2008

Bowl games are a dime a dozen and I'm growing weary of the college football postseason. Albucracky, Boise, these are not destinations. The entire bowl picture is so out of whack it is not even funny. PLAYOFFS! PLAYOFFS! PLAYOFFS! Yes, I would rather see the Cougs and Utes sacrifice a 12th game in Boise or Albuquerque or Ft Worth or even Vegas for the chance to see a college football playoff system. The once every 5 years or so that either the U or the Y made the playoffs would be worth giving up these stupid meaningless games against sub-par opponents.

samuelson | 5:12 p.m. July 25, 2008

Thompson is such an idiot! This game is not a plus any more than the Mountain. No one will see either!

Tyler | 6:52 p.m. July 25, 2008

I do not think the Las Vegas bowl is a bad bowl, it just needs to move closer to Jan 1.... Add a good parade and about 25000 more seats so I can come and watch it, got left out last year!

Go Cougars

RE: Tyler | 10:43 a.m. July 26, 2008

It's a great thought but the Las Vegas Bowl will likely never move closer to Jan. 1. Vegas is brim full the week between Christmas and New Years so not only is there no need for the game to draw people there is nowhere to put them.

Drawing people to Vegas *before* Christmas was the entire reason for starting up the bowl game in the first place. Face it, the MWC is stuck with a "C-list" bowl game and will be for a long time.

Idahoan | 11:57 a.m. July 26, 2008

The ACC tie-in for the Humanitarian Bowl never made sense geographically. Would you want to fly across the country for a bowl game, in December, in a city that has colder weather than your city? Who wants to play in 30-degree weather when you can play in 60- degree weather somewhere else? Who wants to spend lots of money going across the country for a payout that may or may not cover the expenses?

Did you know that the WAC held their media days in Salt Lake this week? The Karl Benson, the WAC Commissioner, said that the WAC is the second-most recognized conference in the West, behind only the PAC-10. It would be interesting to know if that were really true. If it is the case, the Mountain West has a lot of work to do, as individual teams and as a league. The WAC intentionally chose Salt Lake in order to re-establish the area as a market for the WAC.

I think the MWC as a whole fields better teams than the WAC. How do the top two or three teams of each conference compare?

south bend cougar | 2:46 p.m. July 26, 2008

Why all the ranting on the commissioner? College football is all about the money and money comes from TV ratings. Ratings come from fan base and winning and losing. That is why Notre Dame has its own TV deal and doesn't need to share with a conference. No question that UT/BYU are quality D1 schools but the rest of the MWC is pathetic in football. What is really worse is that the geographic population of the MWC conference pales with the other major college conferences in eyeballs. TV execs could care less about who wins or loses. It is all about the $$.

Claudia | 8:12 a.m. July 27, 2008

I really like the new assistant BB Coach, watch this year.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.