COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Thanks to three-year agreements with the Liberty and Las Vegas bowls, two of the Mountain West Conference's eight football programs are assured of postseason play.
And if current discussions take a serious turn, the number could swell to four in 2000.MWC commissioner Craig Thompson confirmed Monday that the new league has had conversations with the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise and organizers in Houston, who are hopeful to host an annual affair between teams from the Big 12 and Mountain West.
Nothing is imminent, but the possibility of half the conference earning bowl bids in the near future does, apparently, exist.
As for now, Thompson is excited about the MWC's current affiliations with the games in Memphis and Las Vegas. He's especially pleased with the Liberty Bowl deal pitting the league champion against the top finisher in Conference-USA. The commish boldy points out that outside of a possibility in the Rose Bowl or Bowl Championship Series, no other bowl can lay claim to pitting champion against champion.
Of course, there's always the possibility -- an extremely remote one -- that one of the Liberty Bowl qualifiers will earn an at-large berth in the BCS.
ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS: The Cougars and Utes were well-represented on a preseason All-Mountain West team. The media tabbed BYU linebacker Rob Morris as both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, while Utah running back Mike Anderson is projected as Offensive Player of the Year.
Other local first-teamers include: OL Sam White (Utah), TE Andy Kassotis (Utah), QB Kevin Feterik (BYU), DL John Frank (Utah), DL Bryon Frisch (BYU), DB Brian Gray (BYU) and K Owen Pochman (BYU).
WAITING GAME: Though he doesn't believe the MWC should have to wait, Thompson expects the NCAA to deny the league automatic qualifying to all national championship events for one year.
"I think it's something we can live with," said Thompson, whose efforts of persuasion apparently cut a year off the original recommendation for the MWC to wait two years. An official decision is expected Aug. 5.
SO FAR, SO GOOD: When asked how the split from the 16-team Western Athletic Conference has gone, Thompson reported no complications. He and WAC commissioner Karl Benson are friends and have communicated throughout the process. Though work began last December, the MWC officially went into business on July 1.
"We're off to a good start," said Thompson. "I think the transition this summer has gone as smoothly as possible."
NO HELP FOR BIG WEST: Thompson reiterated that MWC presidents have agreed not to expand for at least two years. He said if the league had any interest in adding Big West football refugees Boise State, Idaho, New Mexico State, North Texas and Utah State, they would have initiated contact.