Its been discussed, especially as the value of conference affiliation continues to decline with dwindling TV revenue. I know Reggie Favre has mentioned it in the past....I have mentioned it.....
New Mexico St is getting some press today as they will begin football independence in 2018. It appears they, and Idaho, were the last two schools left without a chair once conference realignment was completed. Their temporary home, the Sun Belt, kicked them to the curb. They are the last two victims of the WAC, a conference that once had TCU, SMU, Boise St, SDSU, Air Force, etc...
Aggies are getting almost 4 million for (3) games in 2019 including 1.7 million from Bama, 1.5 million from Ole Miss and 600K from Washington St. Its interesting when you compare the 2018, 2019 schedule highlights between USM and New Mexico St:
NMST- Bama, Washington St, BYU, Minnesota, Ole Miss
USM- Auburn, MS St, Bama
NM St got boxed into a situation with their Sun Belt exit and has to play Liberty twice in 2018 and 2019. On paper, with the 4 million in guaranteed money for 2019 they are heading in the right direction being independent. They need to work on their home schedule but its frankly on par with past years in Las Cruces. It was interesting to see they have AZ St and Arkansas this year. Played Kentucky, Fla, Ole Miss and Texas AM over the past two seasons. It appears they schedule as much, if not more SEC opponents compared to USM.
Couldn't help but wonder if our football schedule would improve as independent, especially if you look how bad next season is with only one Power 5 opponent(Auburn).
"There was a great deal of character on that field today. They are for real, no doubt about it. This was no fluke." - Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant