Mountain West content at nine teams

DENVER (KRQE) - The Mountain West's commissioner is content with a nine-team league, for now.

During his annual state of the conference address, Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson said the conference is solid at nine teams because it preserves rivalries, isn't too big and should be a BCS conference.

"We think we're performing and playing at a level that is equal to and deserves a spot in one of the BCS bowls, along with the current six automatic qualifiers," Thompson said.

Utah's pending succession to the PAC 12 is an obvious blow to conference rivalries, but Thompson wants to preserve what's left.

"We need to protect that," he said. "We need to serve the public, the fans and the alumni in the right ways and allow them to enjoy the great sport of college football and the opportunity to watch basically teams you don't like to lose to."

BYU and Utah will continue to schedule each other as non-conference opponents. BYU Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall said he's sure the rivalry will change.

"I'm sad to see the rivalry change at all because it's so fierce," Mendenhall said. "To say it won't take on another turn—it will. I'm just not sure what turn it's going to take."

While the Mountain West is satisfied with its nine-team league, Thompson believes change is inevitable.

"History has shown that over the last 20-25 years, about every 10 years, there has been some kind of a shift," Thompson said.