Take a stroll over to Rivals.com NCAAFB home page and notice something unusual? No your eyes aren't playing tricks on you, that really is the MWC bringing up the rear of conference links. MWC folk no longer have to hunt for their teams' links - at least at Rivals. Now if the other sports websites can come to their senses...

Oh well. one at a time. Hopefully the MWC can continue to impress after we and the TDS leave the fold. TCU and BSU are solid. AFA is a perennial bridesmaid, SDSU looks like it may be making the right moves, and who knows what, if anything, Wyoming is learning from playing so many top five programs this year. Newcomers Nevada and Fresno St. have potential to make noise.

But it just won't be the same MWC without the Utes or without, and I cringe as I write this, the Cougars. As much as we Ute fans love to disparage the TDS we have to admit, even if it's in the deepest, darkest recesses of our mind, that BYU is a good program. Sure, they're down in 2010, put I'm not going to tempt a flag by piling on right now.

There will be at least two future MWC teams in the top 25 by year's end and it's quite possible that there could be four. BSU and TCU for sure, with AFA and Nevada distinct possibilities.  AFA has the tougher row to hoe because it has to play both TCU and Utah while Nevada's toughest game is going to be the Bronco's.

If Air Force wins one of those two games they will be in the top 25. Lose both and they may be in the "other receiving votes". If Nevada loses to BSU and keeps the score respectable they should stay in the rankings.  All in all, this is shaping up to be a good year for the MWC and its future members.