C-USA Responds to BCS Play-in Game Reports

The conference that has been Tulsa's home since 2005 issued a statement about a reported BCS play-in game with the Mountain West Conference.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:54 am

By: News On 6

C-USA Responds to BCS Play-in Game Reports

Originally Published: Aug 20, 2010 3:4 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma – Conference USA dodged most of the conference realignment talk that Big 12 and Pac 10 fans were engrossed in for months. While all the ‘super conference’ chess moves were being made, Tulsa’s conference sat quietly in the corner, listening and observing without any real reason to stir things up in their league.

However, reports out this week claim Conference USA and the Mountain West have had preliminary discussions about a play-in game that would give the winner an automatic bid to a BCS bowl game. On Friday, Tulsa’s conference issued a statement about those league-wide rumors:

Official Conference USA Statement on Talks with Mountain West Conference

Aug. 20, 2010
IRVING, Texas - Following up on various media reports, Conference USA and Mountain West representatives met yesterday, a meeting that had been previously scheduled. C-USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky issued the following statement:

"The conferences have much in common and have worked cooperatively for many years and we are exploring creative ways to work together going forward. The discussion included scheduling, television, and post-season football. It is premature for anyone to suggest anything else at this point. We have the strong support of our members as we work on a variety of strategic initiatives. We had a good discussion yesterday and likely will have more in the future."

Tulsa athletic director Bubba Cunningham was unavailable for comment. The Golden Hurricane has been Conference USA members since 2005.