Brigham Young, currently of the MWC, said in a release it has been weighing "all options" about its future, including football independence.

"I don't know BYU's intentions," MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said. "They have been a participant the last several days with our Board of Directors. They are a full member, a voting member."

He also said there are no discussions scheduled with the school about their possible move at this time. Thompson dismissed suggestions that the sudden addition of Fresno State and Nevada was a direct response to the BYU reports. BYU did not confirm it would make a move and said in a statement that the school was exploring its options. BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said last month that playing football as an independent was an option given the school's national fan base.

The Cougars were left out of the first round of conference realignment when in-state rival Utah headed to the Pacific 10, along with Colorado of the Big 12. Before the move, Boise State moved from the WAC for the expected greener pastures of the Mountain West.

With an 11-team league, Thompson said there's no current push to add another team to stage a conference championship game. He also said the additions further strengthened the league's chances for qualifying for an automatic Bowl Championship Series bid after the four-season evaluation process concludes after next season.

As for the WAC, the departure of Boise State, ranked No. 5 in the preseason USA TODAY Coaches Poll, Nevada and Fresno State — three of its top tier teams — is a major blow to the league which will be left with just six teams. WAC commissioner Karl Benson will hold a news conference Thursday to discuss the moves.

"It's fair to say he was disappointed," said Nevada president Milt Glick in a Wednesday night news conference when asked about Benson's reaction.

Glick said Nevada, as well as the other WAC schools agreed — but his school did not sign — a buyout clause last week, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal. He would not say how much that is when asked about the reported $5 million fee. Glick said that number is on the high end of the range. He also said the MWC has indicated it can assist financially, and he said he is hopeful boosters might also step up to cover extra costs.

"We believe that in five years we will come out ahead financially," said Glick, adding improved athletic and academic competition, more revenue, decreased travel cost and the chance to be with in-state rival UNLV played into the decison.

"I think people have been waiting a long time for this day. … It really is a game-changer for us."

Glick also said UNLV played a big role in getting the MWC to invite Nevada, and the chance to be in the same conference with the Rebels was a big draw as well. The schools will be in the same conference for the first time since 1995 when both were in the Big West.

Both Glick and Fresno State president John Welty said his first informal contact with the Mountain West came on Tuesday before serious negotiations began Wednesday.

"This invitation provides Fresno State the opportunity to take another step athletically and academically," Welty said. "We've got to increase attendance. we've got to increase support. The student-athletes will have to work harder. This is a good long-term step for us."

As for the next step in this ever shifting summer of conference re-alignment? Stay tuned for possible news from BYU. Member schools netted less than $2 million per school in football television money last year from the MWC's television network. BYU has its own television network as well as a broadcast center.

If BYU does not leave the MWC, the league would consist of 11 schools — Air Force, Boise State, BYU, Colorado State, Fresno State, New Mexico, Nevada, San Diego State, TCU, UNLV and Wyoming. Thompson said it was too early to discuss whether the league would add a 12th team or consider having a football championship game.

For football, the WAC would be left with Hawaii, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, Utah State, Idaho, San Jose State.