any help is appreciated, even a view is. Searching for the real nerds only.

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/50166450/james-madison-exit-sun-belt-join-american-conference

"James Madison has accepted membership into the American Conference and will become a full league member no later than July 1, 2028, the university announced Monday."

"James Madison will pay nearly $23 million to enter the conference, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel, and will also pay a $5 million exit fee to the Sun Belt. James Madison said the exit fee will be covered by "new private funding from generous supporters, while the entry fee has already been committed from new private corporate partners who championed this move."

"The school will also get an American Conference TV/postseason/NCAA share that is in line with the recent additions to the league, according to sources."

"Despite the addition of James Madison, the American Conference isn't look to add another member imminently, sources said. The Sun Belt, meanwhile, is expected to discuss and vote on increased exit fees this week, which was one of the drivers of this situation, according to sources."

*The Sun Belt was planning to increase exit fees throughout the summer, I guess they planned to vote on it this week, triggering the move. Supposedly the $5m fee would go up to $25m.

With all the realignment talk of today, I was thinking if you were the commissioner what schools would you target. Let’s be realistic and former schools aren’t coming back and we aren’t pulling anyone from a power conference. With that said, who would you like to see join and how would you divide up the conference.

Personally, I would love to see a 16 team Mountain West with north and south divisions for football. I am not forgetting Grand Canyon (south in non football) and UC Davis (north in non football).

North:
NDSU (now a full member)
North Dakota (FCS call up, full member)
South Dakota State (FCS call up, full member)
South Dakota (FCS call up, full member)
Wyoming
Montana (FCS call up, full member)
Montana State (FCS call up, full member)
Idaho (FCS call up, full member)

South:
Northern Illinois (Football only)
UTEP
Air Force
New Mexico
UNLV
Nevada Reno
SJSU
Hawaii

If Norther Illinois were to leave, I would have UC Davis replace them as an all sport member and they would remain in the north division. If you want to go back to 18 teams, you might try and bring in St. Mary’s form the WCC.

So, what are your thoughts?

In the biggest game in the MWC so far, media darling NDSU traveled to UNLV and got a rude reception from the Rebels. AF, Wyoming, and Nevada were also victorious. Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the weekend was New Mexico who had a bye but watched Oklahoma beat Texas gave giving the Lobos street cred after New Mexico's close loss to the Sooners.

New Mexico and UC Davis on byes this week.

UNLV and NDSU played this week in a battle of the defenses, and underwhelming offenses. NDSU with a lose had to drop to contender, and UNLV's offense looked too bad for me to move them up to favorite despite winning this game.

Air Force soundly beat NIU with a long ground out running game with nearly double the time of possession. Both performed to the tier ranking and don't move.

Wyoming and San Jose State played one of the ugliest games this week. Had to drop San Jose State with this disappointing performance, and their chances of making a bowl game look pretty bleak atm. Wyoming is somehow finding wins with one of, if not the worst, offenses in the conference and potentially make a bowl game. So these two teams flip spots as Wyoming seems to be failing upwards, and San Jose chokes games they should be winning.

Hawaii moves to the basement, and looks kind of what we've come to expect this year. Outside of Sacramento State at the end of the year, I don't know if I see any for sure wins for this team.

Nevada and UTEP played this week, and Nevada easily handled them in a dominate defensive performance complimented by a very good running attack (passing game looked poor though). Nevada will need another win in the next four weeks though if they want to move up and potentially make a bowl this year. UTEP looked rough this game, with an offense that struggled to produce any yards and needed a terrible fumble to make this game look more competitive.

It looks like it will be a close match for the basement teams, for who is the worst in the conference right now.

Sorry, I'm not on here much but here is a week 6 gamethread to discuss ongoing MW games for this weekend.

Wyoming and San Jose already played last night. New Mexico is on a bye-week.

Nevada at UTEP

NDSU at UNLV

AFA at NIU

Hawaii at AZ St

Wyoming 16-13 OT over SJSU

Seriously, there is not a better hire out there? Give the job to Spartan Alum Bob Ladouceur?

With 2 out of conference wins the MWC made a statement this week. UNLV beats Cal, AirForce beats Navy. UNM and NDSU roll. Updates on week 5 action, standings, and a look ahead to week 6.

Not a lot of change this week with Nevada and NIU on byes and a few expected results.

NDSU and New Mexico dominated again this week and remain the favorites in the conference.

Air Force got a much needed out of conference win and remain near the top.

UNLV finally nabs a respectable win and the only conference P4 win so far. With them somewhat looking like the team we thought they would be in the preseason they've moved back to contender.

San Jose State barely beat a Hawaii team that is under-performing, but a close enough game by both to not move either.

Wyoming lost badly, but still has the Hawaii win to keep them out of the basement.

UTEP looked horrible, but can't get lower than the basement.

UC Davis beat Eastern Washington in a closer than desired game. They look like one of the better Big Sky teams, but think we'll see at least one upset this season if they keep letting bad teams hang around.