SUU was to appease the travel cost wing of the Big Sky.
UND was to appease the conference presidents that wanted a research university with nationally known professional schools.
And USD ... well, I've posted my thoughts on that already: the MVFC flinched, just like Fullerton expected.
And NDSU ... well, maybe we'll help little brother get in the BSC someday. But that day won't come for a while because of their buyouts with Summit and MVFC if they go before 2015.
And I foresee a "MAC-like" FBS conference in the west in the future when the research-wing of the BSC is all ready to jump.