By Jeff Caves
Basking in the glow of his 2nd Mountain West Championship in 3 years, Bryan Harsin couldn’t help himself at the official post-game press conference. He was asked if Boise State was becoming a powerhouse running through the Mountain West the way they stampeded through the WAC. He said no he doesn’t think Boise State could just roll through the league, he added he had tons of respect for the teams in the MWC. Then he said BUT there is a lot of change going on in the league, coaches are leaving (4 of them) and he didn’t know what to say for the future of the MWC.
I agree. What is the future of the Mountain West?
Coach Harsin wasn’t done. At times, when he comes across a question he wants to massage into getting his message out, he will do just that. He went on to say he believed in the Boise State brand, knows its potential and knows how important it is to THAT conference. Harsin said it is important to focus on the people that help the football program, promote it and promote the MWC. He said those things matter.
Was that a shot at MWC Commissioner Thompson? Was Harsin referring to the perception that the AAC outworked the MWC in getting the Cotton Bowl bid? Every person will have a different opinion. I just think the whole college football situation is stagnant at the Group of 5 levels in the West. The attitude seems to be wait and see. See what the tv people offer. Wait for the expansion of the College Football Playoff. It will get better for the MWC.
Really? Tell that to Harsin who just busted his ass to go 12-1 and his reward is a 6-6 Washington State or worse a Coach Pete Farewell vs Washington? The whole story will be about Coach Pete and his legacy. Beat Pete and you rain on the parade. Lose and you live up to being 2nd fiddle in the storyline anyway. That’s a reward? In 2020, the MWC champ ends up in the new Los Angeles Bowl against whoever the Pac 12 can spare. Same story different venue.
The time is now to think out of the box for the MWC and Boise State football. Better postseason options are a must-have. Most MWC schools that have a 10-12 win season don’t want to play in campus bowl games in Boise, Alburguque, Hawaii, and Tucson. 8 years ago, Boise State went to the Big East to spread their wings. I think it is time to do it again and examine all options with an open mind and task force mentality. There must be a better option created and most schools in the West are in the same boat. Let’s go Pj Fleck and start rowing it.
