The 2012 Mountain West football schedule has been released and it looks like ESPN is back in the fold to broadcast some more games since the Mtn. is done. I'd like to hear from New Mexico fans who have zero games on television while both Colorado State and Wyoming each have one. So for those who hated the Mtn. I am betting they wished they had the network now.
With ESPN in the mix some dates have changed as well such as the Washington State at UNLV, BYU at Boise State and Hawaii at Air Force have been moved from their original Saturday spot to a Thursday and Friday night game. It is no surprise that Boise State was selected for two of the four games are on one of the ESPN networks.
Yes, that Air Force game against Navy is on regular old CBS and a 9:30 a.m. local kick in Colorado Springs which is just absurd in my opinion, but it does give them a true national television games.
The amount of games broadcast is only 25 which is about one-third less than what has normally been broadcast. There could still be more games added since this list includes only Mountain West home games and the road game for when Boise State travels to Michigan State with the other not listed is when Air Force takes on Army on CBS Sports Network on Nov. 3.
There could be more games that will be shown on television, per the release:
"This is the first phase of plans for the 2012-13 academic year," said Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson. "We are working with CBS Sports Network and member institutions to map out regional and local plans for the remaining 2012 football inventory. We anticipate announcing additional telecasts from these efforts in the coming weeks."
Here is the schedule below, and look for more commentary about this reduced television schedule.