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Conference realignment fever has hit the Mountain West Conference with soon-to-be former members the San Diego St. Aztecs and former member the BYU Cougars the subject of many a rumor and report across the Internet.
This morning rumors of reports broke about the MWC and BYU having talks - and MW Connection confirmed the rumor as a report coming from Jim Arthur the Air Force Falcons' play-by-play man and KVOR-AM morning anchor in Colorado Springs, Colo.
MW Connection has since confirmed that a similar rumor that ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The Team in Albuquerque, N.M. had reported the same thing Friday morning was a rumor - sort of.
The Team does not have a local morning show - they typically go with ESPN Radio programing at that time. Afternoon host Bob Brown confirmed that he has speculated about BYU joining the MWC earlier in the week. But Brown was basing that on ESPN reports, not any sources as KVOR's Jim Arthur had.
So that was a no-starter.
In the meantime, Brian Murphy from the Idaho Statesman blogged at midday Friday that the MWC and SDSU are "having daily conversations about the Aztecs' football future" and that the league's conversations with BYU "Are not at that level."
"The conversations are fluid and timely with San Diego State," Thompson said. "That would not be the case with BYU."
Thompson said a decision about San Diego State will likely come before Jan. 31. As per Boise State's agreement with the Mountain West, the Aztecs' first option to join the league ends on that date.
Murphy finished the blog with this telling quote from the MWC Commish:
"I would say with about 99 percent chance on January 4 that we will be either an 11-team or a 12-team league for 2013."
Suffice to say, the smoke that MWC fans and followers have been seeing all week in not a mirage.
The game is afoot.
Keep checking MW Connection for updates...