There were parts of the MWC that I really liked. I liked the rivalries. I liked the little college towns that I would go to to watch my Cougs on the road (me and friends invaded Laramie and Albuquerque a few times and it was a blast, and I loved going to the Colorado schools). I liked the basketball. I liked the history we had with those teams.

But I hated a lot about it too. And when we went to Independence it felt like we were stepping onto a bigger stage. The 2013 schedule was awesome. Signing with ESPN was huge and validating. And maybe I'm the ever-Cougar-optimist, but looking at how things are shaping up with the SEC and ACC needing to actually announce us as a team that will fill their P5 requirement, and with our H/H's and November games with top Pac 12 teams I think the future of independence looks bright.

It doesn't look like there is going to be a line drawn in the sand and BYU would be left out, like a lot of people feared. And I think the Big 12 will eventually expand. I thought it was good that the Big 12 was left out, but apparently that wasn't enough. It probably would have been better had the Big 12 gotten BOTH Baylor and TCU into the CFP, as the B1G and Pac 12 (assuming Alabama and FSU were the other two in) would have been beside themselves having been left out. As it stands, I think the first time the Big 12 gets a team in ahead of another P5 conference with a CCG, the pressure will be on. The Big 12 HAS to see that it would just be better and easier if it simply conformed and added two other schools. That's why I think BYU will be added sooner than later. And from what I've heard it could be a lot sooner than we think (I think Houston griping and threatening actually could be effective: http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/19/houstons-board-chair-wants-to-bully-threaten-way-into-big-12/ ).

I predict that the Big 12 will announce expansion by the start of the season and that BYU will be included in the expansion.