LAS VEGAS » At Wednesday’s Mountain West Conference football media preview, there were booklets distributed with this cover design: "Hello, my name is Boise State."
There also were swatches of Bronco Stadium’s infamous blue artificial turf.
"I feel like this is my first day of school," Boise State safety George Iloka said, gazing at the other players representing MWC teams.
The previous decade, the Broncos dominated the Western Athletic Conference. But last summer, they announced they would secede from the WAC to join the MWC for the 2011-12 academic year. Next year, Hawaii, Fresno State and Nevada will join the MWC, which was created in 1999 when eight teams broke away from what was a 16-team WAC.
But for the league’s differences, they are linked by controversy and Boise State.
Wednesday, MWC commissioner Craig Thompson shot down an Internet rumor that Utah State was ready to jump from the WAC to the MWC.
WAC commissioner Karl Benson tersely disputed that possibility, too.
"I don’t know where it came from, I don’t know how it started, but I don’t think it has any substance whatsoever," Benson said.
What is not in dispute is Boise State’s impact on the league it is leaving and the one it is joining.
The Broncos’ departure reduces the WAC’s football membership to eight this year, creating an imbalanced schedule in which half the teams will play four league home games and half will play three. With the addition of Texas-San Antonio and Texas State next year, the WAC will have seven football members in 2012.
"There’s no question, we need two more football-playing schools," Benson said. "They’re out there, absolutely. It’s a matter of timing. It’s not when the time is right for us. It’s when the time is right for school A, B or C to make the move."
Benson insisted the WAC will survive.
"We’ve put it back together before, and we’ll put it back together again," Benson said.
Meanwhile, the Broncos are bracing for post-WAC life. Hazing already began, with the MWC prohibiting the Broncos from wearing all-blue uniforms when playing on their blue turf.
Asked if there was a camouflage effect that gave the Broncos an advantage, BSU quarterback Kellen Moore said, with an eye roll: "I could not see my receivers."
Moore completed 71.3 percent of his passes in 2010.
"I guess if people are really concerned about it, we got them where we want them," Moore said. "It’s psychological."
The Broncos expect to draw attention in their inaugural MWC season.
"Anything new in life — whether it’s a new car or a new team," Moore said, "people will look at that and say, ‘Hey, we want to see what that’s all about.’ We’ll get everyone’s best shot. We’re excited about it. We’re quick to recognize how difficult this whole new conference situation is.
"We’re well-educated on the history of college football, how teams had to struggle with this, because week in and week out, you’re going to face teams you’ve never faced before."
Moore praised the WAC, saying: "I think the fans of Boise State should not forget what the WAC provided for us."
He also said he will miss playing Hawaii during his senior year. If they remained in the WAC, the Broncos would have played UH at Aloha Stadium this year.
"I’m not going to lie, it’s tough to go out and play in Hawaii," Moore said. "Sometimes I think it’s just a tease. You’re on the island. The beach is there. You’re staying in Waikiki. You have to be very careful not to turn the vacation switch on. It’s very challenging. You show up, the drums are banging, and you’re playing a very tough opponent."
