downside of the original MWC that prevented BYU, TCU, and Utah from lifting the MWC to BCS ('power') status.

Plus, I believe the MWC office was asking for too much during the reverse merger negotiations. For crying out loud, they demanded $30M just to extend the MWC-scheduling deal for one more season.

The new PAC has already established itself as a G6 frontrunner and a borderline power-level basketball conference.

I still expect Memphis to become the next member of the PAC. Last week, the Memphis AD came out said that they rejected a bad offer from the PAC...but he went out of his way to clarify that they did not reject the PAC completely - basically left the door wide open for a better offer. The PAC will regroup, get some firm TV deal numbers, and then make a better offer to Memphis....and then clearly separate itself from the rest of the G6. I won't be surprised if they add 2 or 3 more from the AAC after securing Memphis. I also suppose they will keep a seat warm for UNLV and welcome them in about 5 years.

Meanwhile, the MWC has regrouped to add UTEP - which isn't a bad move for them, but is clearly another low-level addition - and is now talking to, checks notes,....Tarleton State? (Hahahaha!)