With AQ status a relic of the past, there is no rationale for the MWC/CUSA merger. There are hardly enough decent teams/schools teams between CUSA and MWC for one relevant conference let alone two. Will both the MWC and CUSA fall off the face of college football map or can UTEP cobble together a mid-major conference that can at least challenge the BigEast for relevancy? There are three options for UTEP. 1) remain in CUSA. Result- 12 team CUSA battles to keep conference champion in irrelevant bowl matchup against MAC. 2) join MWC alone. Result- see part 1. 3) join MWC and bring 3 or 5 other teams (Tulsa, SoMiss, Rice, Tulane, UTSA/LaTech) along crushing CUSA and giving the MWC a fighting chance for relevancy. UTEP has to take the lead in this.