Actually, that's how it's always been: UTEP, UNM, WY, CSU... (judging by logo)
I loved the WAC and MWC days, but pretending that suddenly the schedules are boring is laughable. That said, you may be too young to remember anything past 10 years ago.
I have always loved any game that BYU plays. In independence there have been a couple snooze fest games, but that's happened in the MWC as well.