I'm hearing that the MWC is courting K-State very aggressively now that BYU has left the conference.
Word is, Schulz and others are strongly considering the invitation because they are convinced that Texas will declare its independence as soon as 2011, setting off a chain of events that would leave Kansas State out of the BCS picture.
Administrators in Manhattan believe that Kansas and Missouri have positioned themselves for a bid in an expanded Big-10 Conference once Texas declares independence and South powers Oklahoma and Texas A&M find homes in an expanded SEC and PAC 10, respectively. It is also believed that the PAC 10 would extend invitations to Texas Tech and Oklahoma State as well should the dominoes continue to fall. Schulz, Currie, Snyder and others believe that the MWC may be K-State's best bet to secure the opportunity to earn an automatic BCS birth; the buzz out of Austin has risen to a roar since BYU has declared its independence and news has surfaced that they are in the process of negotiating a potential series with Notre Dame similar to the deal struck by UT and the Domers.
Unfortunately, for K-State, this move may not insulate them from relative irrelevance if the Superconference scenario plays out. I believe this chain of events would likely eliminate the BCS (and possibly the NCAA as we know it) as the Superconferences form their own networks and playoff/bowl hybrid formats.
Depending on how the scenario plays out - and we all know the possibilites are endless, Iowa State would possibly receive a Big 10 bid due to their membership in the AAU (should an additional school be necessary in order to reach the magic number of "16.")
This may all seem like some kind of conspiracy theory, but behind the scenes, schools and conferences across the country are quietly holding meetings and attempting to make sense of the tidal wave of change that would likely ensue should Texas infact declade its independence.
According to what I am hearing, Pittsburgh and Syracuse would join Missouri and Kansas in a 16-team Big 10. Oklahoma would join Miami, Florida State and Georgia Tech in an expanded SEC. The Pac-10 would add Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and from what I am hearing right now - and frankly have a hard time believing - Fresno State. This may be an opportunity for K-State...I would think they could make a convincing argument as a "travel partner" with Oklahoma State. The remnants of the Big East and ACC would combine to form another conference...likely Duke, UNC, NC-State, Wake Forrest, UVA, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Clemson, Boston College, Cincinatti, UCONN, Georgetown, Louisville, Rutgers, West Virginia and Villanova.
This could all break loose by the time it's time to move in to the Fieldhouse for the winter, boys.
