WAC enjoying lengthy stability

Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson held his yearly State of the Conference to open the annual WAC Preview in Salt Lake City on Wednesday morning, and he stressed that the conference is stable and isn't looking to expand.

"It's a hallmark time the last five (actually four) years," Benson said. "It's the longest stretch in my tenure (10 years) that there hasn't been a membership change. Despite the chatter, I believe it's a stable time. Five years from now, you very likely will see the same nine members as part of the WAC. It will give us a chance to continue to grow the WAC.

"From 1978 to 1992, the WAC was a nine-team league. Certainly there are advantages and disadvantages both ways. Nine teams is better for football and 10 is better for basketball and volleyball."

There have been rumblings from Boise State president Dr. Robert Kustra that he would like to see the Broncos move to the Mountain West, and Benson is well aware of the BSU president's interest.

"It hasn't been done behind closed doors and without my knowledge," said Benson. "Schools have to do what's in their best interests. My job is to convince schools that the WAC is the best place for them."

Benson pointed out that Boise State has benefited from being in the WAC. The Broncos have won or shared six of the last seven football titles and made one Bowl Championship Series appearance. They have also made numerous television appearances on ESPN in the past five years and more will follow because of the program's success.

Many experts believe that a Boise State move to the Mountain West would only help football and none of the other sports. The Broncos always challenge for a WAC title. In the MWC that might not happen on a yearly basis. TCU, Utah and BYU might have something to say about that.

Benson said in 2008 that the WAC was the second-most recognizable conference on the West Coast behind the Pac-10. Despite the fact that the MWC had a great season in 2008 with three teams in the top 25 - Utah, TCU and BYU - Benson still stands by his claim.

"The last three years, the WAC has put two in the BCS and the Mountain West one." Benson said. "The two conferences have separated themselves from the other three (non-BCS conferences). It's a great rivalry. We should play them more."

The WAC was just 2-7 against the MWC last year.

Tough economic times may make schools schedule on a regional basis. Benson admitted he would like to see the WAC play more MWC and Pac-10 schools.

POINSETTIA BOWL IN THE WAC FUTURE?

A year ago, Boise State played in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego because the Pac-10 didn't have enough teams with the required six wins to become bowl eligible. The Broncos dropped a 17-16 heartbreaker to TCU in a game matching two Top-20 programs.

Benson said the Pac-10's agreement with the Poinsettia Bowl ends after this season, and he's working with the Poinsettia Bowl people so that the WAC could secure a fourth automatic bowl bid. The commissioner also said that the Naval Academy also could be involved.

The WAC has automatic bids to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl and the New Mexico Bowl.

Kevin McDonald, the executive director of the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, is trying to secure a replacement for the Atlantic Coast Conference. The ACC's contract ended last year and the MWC will play in the 2009 game against a WAC team.

WAC GETS MORE TV EXPOSURE

A total of 18 WAC games will be shown on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU this season as the WAC starts its new agreement with ESPN. Twelve of the games will be on ESPN or ESPN2 and six will be shown on ESPNU. Each WAC team will be on once, according to Benson.

Nevada will be on ESPN four times with games against Missouri, Louisiana Tech, Boise State and San Jose State. Additionally, Nevada's season-opener against Notre Dame which will be shown on NBC.

With eight of those games schelude for Fridays, Benson admitted there will be a conflict with high school football. But added that fans are getting used to seeing games on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

"We're going to be a significant part of their Friday programming," Benson said.