Idaho Vandals Back To Big Sky?

[Mike Johnson]

NDSU should start playing Canadian schools.

That could be the solution for North Dakota

[Wildcat Ryan]

The three things that will lead up to Idaho re-joining the Big Sky


1. USU goes to the MWC

2. Lou Tech goes to the C-USA or Sun Belt

3. NMSU goes to the Sun Belt.



Welcome back Idaho

[houndawg]

...the pumps don't work because
the vandals took the handles.....

[bincitysioux]

The three things that will lead up to Idaho re-joining the Big Sky


1. USU goes to the MWC
2. Lou Tech goes to the C-USA or Sun Belt

3. NMSU goes to the Sun Belt.



Welcome back Idaho

People like to talk about the Big Sky's awkward number of member institutions..............

The Mountain West also is soon to have an awkward number with 9 all sports members and 10 football members including Hawaii as an affiliate in that sport.........that alignment is the opposite of what is considered ideal, which would be an even number for all sports, and an odd number for football. IMO, with losing two Utah schools, I think it is likely that the MWC will eventually add Utah St. in order to 1) fill the "Utah" void created by BYU and Utah leaving, 2) provide a 10-team all sports league that allows travel partners, and 3) make an 11 team team football conference that will adopt the same league scheduling philosophy that the Big 10 has employed since 1991..............

Welcome back to the Big Sky, Idaho.................

[SJHornet]

The three things that will lead up to Idaho re-joining the Big Sky


1. USU goes to the MWC

2. Lou Tech goes to the C-USA or Sun Belt

3. NMSU goes to the Sun Belt.



Welcome back Idaho

Don't Forget SJSU to the MWC as well One more way Idaho finds itself back in the Sky

[eaglesfootball]

The three things that will lead up to Idaho re-joining the Big Sky


1. USU goes to the MWC

2. Lou Tech goes to the C-USA or Sun Belt

3. NMSU goes to the Sun Belt.



Welcome back Idaho

Don't Forget SJSU to the MWC as well One more way Idaho finds itself back in the Sky

could easily see the first three happening but not so sure about San Jose to the MWC. have there been talks about that?

[SJHornet]

Don't Forget SJSU to the MWC as well One more way Idaho finds itself back in the Sky

could easily see the first three happening but not so sure about San Jose to the MWC. have there been talks about that?

Yes. For a while there everyone thought SJSU and Utah State were slam dunks to the MWC. Apparently there are a few MWC schools that are lobbying for the Spartans really hard. Probably Fresno, Nevada, San Diego and possibly UNLV and Hawaii. The Spartans bring a huge market with them. The only thing that held em back was their performance on the field. Once the current expansion musical chairs ends and the MWC realizes they aren't going to get any CUSA schools, SJSU and Utah State are getting invited. Especially if the WAC still can't convince any West Coast schools to join by June (and they won't).

[weberwildcat]

could easily see the first three happening but not so sure about San Jose to the MWC. have there been talks about that?

Yes. For a while there everyone thought SJSU and Utah State were slam dunks to the MWC. Apparently there are a few MWC schools that are lobbying for the Spartans really hard. Probably Fresno, Nevada, San Diego and possibly UNLV and Hawaii. The Spartans bring a huge market with them. The only thing that held em back was their performance on the field. Once the current expansion musical chairs ends and the MWC realizes they aren't going to get any CUSA schools, SJSU and Utah State are getting invited. Especially if the WAC still can't convince any West Coast schools to join by June (and they won't).

I have to question this comment since I live in downtown San Jose. What do you mean? They get poor attendance and I don't think people watch them on TV when they get the opportunity. Last season SJSU averaged less than the FBS minimum attendance and their final home game was like 7,000.

Also in basketball they can't get 2,000 to a game. I went to 2 games and was one of the only people there.

There are almost 1 million people in San Jose, 10th largest US city. Almost 2 million people in the county which is most of the south bay. I dont see why SJSU was ever in the WAC.

But I am not disagreeing with them going to the MWC. It does make sense and they are a good fit with the quality of teams in the MWC, they are on par and are good location.

[weberwildcat]

Another question for this thread...

If the WAC died and USU and SJSU went to MWC, LA Tech/NMSU to Sunbelt or Conf USA. Why do we assume Idaho won't go back to the Sun Belt? I see no reason for UI not to go Sun Belt or why they would not welcome the Vandals for the 2nd time.

[dbackjon]

Another question for this thread...

If the WAC died and USU and SJSU went to MWC, LA Tech/NMSU to Sunbelt or Conf USA. Why do we assume Idaho won't go back to the Sun Belt? I see no reason for UI not to go Sun Belt or why they would not welcome the Vandals for the 2nd time.

Why would the SunBelt want to take a school that offers nothing, located 2,000 miles from the closest school.


Seriously, why WOULD the Sunbelt want Idaho?

[SJHornet]

Yes. For a while there everyone thought SJSU and Utah State were slam dunks to the MWC. Apparently there are a few MWC schools that are lobbying for the Spartans really hard. Probably Fresno, Nevada, San Diego and possibly UNLV and Hawaii. The Spartans bring a huge market with them. The only thing that held em back was their performance on the field. Once the current expansion musical chairs ends and the MWC realizes they aren't going to get any CUSA schools, SJSU and Utah State are getting invited. Especially if the WAC still can't convince any West Coast schools to join by June (and they won't).

I have to question this comment since I live in downtown San Jose. What do you mean? They get poor attendance and I don't think people watch them on TV when they get the opportunity. Last season SJSU averaged less than the FBS minimum attendance and their final home game was like 7,000.

Also in basketball they can't get 2,000 to a game. I went to 2 games and was one of the only people there.

There are almost 1 million people in San Jose, 10th largest US city. Almost 2 million people in the county which is most of the south bay. I dont see why SJSU was ever in the WAC.

But I am not disagreeing with them going to the MWC. It does make sense and they are a good fit with the quality of teams in the MWC, they are on par and are good location.

Its not about what they draw in the stadium, but how many TV sets they reach. As you've eluded to San Jose/South Bay has around 2 million households. However the media market for San Jose actually reaches around 7 million households since we are in the greater San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose media market. The Bay Area is pretty much one big city with a lot of people. Even Sacramento gets the Bay Area coverage. Even though they will be going up against the NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB, MLS, Pac-12 and WCC, 7 million television sets are an enticing reason to add the school. The television dollars are what ultimately drive conference realignment/expansion at the FBS level.

[weberwildcat]

Another question for this thread...

If the WAC died and USU and SJSU went to MWC, LA Tech/NMSU to Sunbelt or Conf USA. Why do we assume Idaho won't go back to the Sun Belt? I see no reason for UI not to go Sun Belt or why they would not welcome the Vandals for the 2nd time.

Why would the SunBelt want to take a school that offers nothing, located 2,000 miles from the closest school.


Seriously, why WOULD the Sunbelt want Idaho?

For the same reason the Sun Belt takes schools less than 1,000 miles away that have nothing to offer.

[Grizalltheway]

if IDAHO sucks, what does that say about the team that loses 45-0 to them. ouch.

There are 4 teams in fcs that should go FBS>

Appy State, Montana, Delaware, NDSU. everyone else, no.

Appy and Delaware? Maybe.

Montana and NDSU? Too remote, too thinly populated.

Of those two, Montana would have a better chance because, 1- Nobody wants to travel to North Dakota, especially in the winter, unless they're passing through on their way to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, 2- there isn't enough local talent to compete at that level, and and you need local talent because, 3- recruiting to the area from anywhere is going to take an extremely hard sell to kids that are used to electricity and indoor plumbing and wearing shoes. Kids want to play in the big time, lakes, they don't want to be left standing in the cold with their noses pressed to the glass watching the other kids having fun by the fire.

Montana should stay FCS and NDSU should start playing Canadian schools.

Quiet down, dawg. He lives on a LAKE, goddamnit, a LAKE!

[dbackjon]

Why would the SunBelt want to take a school that offers nothing, located 2,000 miles from the closest school.


Seriously, why WOULD the Sunbelt want Idaho?

For the same reason the Sun Belt takes schools less than 1,000 miles away that have nothing to offer.

What schools would that be?

[Mike Johnson]

Another question for this thread...

If the WAC died and USU and SJSU went to MWC, LA Tech/NMSU to Sunbelt or Conf USA. Why do we assume Idaho won't go back to the Sun Belt? I see no reason for UI not to go Sun Belt or why they would not welcome the Vandals for the 2nd time.

Utah State and Idaho were football only schools in the Sun Belt and both hated it. That was before the Florida schools were in the Sun Belt as well. The Sun Belt needed them at the time. They don't need them now.

I don't think the WAC is going to collapse, but anything is possible.

[Wildcat Ryan]

Another question for this thread...

If the WAC died and USU and SJSU went to MWC, LA Tech/NMSU to Sunbelt or Conf USA. Why do we assume Idaho won't go back to the Sun Belt? I see no reason for UI not to go Sun Belt or why they would not welcome the Vandals for the 2nd time.

The Sun Belt Basketball conference was trying to push Denver out becuase of travel, why would they want a team that is farther away than Denver?

[JohnStOnge]

Someone should make a list of teams that have chosen to move from FBS back to FCS. Shouldn't take too long.

Well, if you go back to when the terminology was "I-A" and "I-AA" McNeese State made that choice.

And I think more schools would make that choice if all schools were held accountable for the actual financial consequences of their decisions.

[AZGrizFan]

Someone should make a list of teams that have chosen to move from FBS back to FCS. Shouldn't take too long.

Well, if you go back to when the terminology was "I-A" and "I-AA" McNeese State made that choice.

And I think more schools would make that choice if all schools were held accountable for the actual financial consequences of their decisions.

Why should they be? Nobody else in the country is....

[SUUTbird]

If the WAC does survive it will need to focus on getting more FCS schools with football to join. There is a thread on AGS discussing this as well and have the UTSA athletic director along with the WAC commissioner apparently saying they are looking at a few potential schools, also with all the posters debating it on there. The link for the article with the info is here:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/art ... z1LZRB1sBs

[weberwildcat]

Appy and Delaware? Maybe.

Montana and NDSU? Too remote, too thinly populated.

Of those two, Montana would have a better chance because, 1- Nobody wants to travel to North Dakota, especially in the winter, unless they're passing through on their way to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, 2- there isn't enough local talent to compete at that level, and and you need local talent because, 3- recruiting to the area from anywhere is going to take an extremely hard sell to kids that are used to electricity and indoor plumbing and wearing shoes. Kids want to play in the big time, lakes, they don't want to be left standing in the cold with their noses pressed to the glass watching the other kids having fun by the fire.

Montana should stay FCS and NDSU should start playing Canadian schools.

Quiet down, dawg. He lives on a LAKE, goddamnit, a LAKE!

[Mike Johnson]

The WAC has less than a month and a half to act to ensure at least 8 football schools in July 2012.

I might be considered a heretic, but it is, in my opinion, much more important to ensure 8 in basketball than football. This protects the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. And with Denver, they have done so. That is, unless others leave.

It isn't clear what is lost if football becomes officially a scheduling alliance. Post-season is about bowls and the WAC is going to lose some tie ins no matter what.

Of course, keep 8 football teams and you don't have to worry about dropping football to a scheduling alliance. I am not sure who ought there is realistic anyway.

I think the WAC's biggest worry might be if anything happens to a C-USA team, resulting in an invite for La Tech. Central Florida to the Big East could trigger this. A team or two to the Big 12 could as well.

[Grizalltheway]

Quiet down, dawg. He lives on a LAKE, goddamnit, a LAKE!

Below me.

[SJHornet]

The WAC has less than a month and a half to act to ensure at least 8 football schools in July 2012.

I might be considered a heretic, but it is, in my opinion, much more important to ensure 8 in basketball than football. This protects the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. And with Denver, they have done so. That is, unless others leave.

It isn't clear what is lost if football becomes officially a scheduling alliance. Post-season is about bowls and the WAC is going to lose some tie ins no matter what.

Of course, keep 8 football teams and you don't have to worry about dropping football to a scheduling alliance. I am not sure who ought there is realistic anyway.

I think the WAC's biggest worry might be if anything happens to a C-USA team, resulting in an invite for La Tech. Central Florida to the Big East could trigger this. A team or two to the Big 12 could as well.

The WAC is in between a very large rock and an extremely hard place. I’ve been following their drama very closely, and time is running out, but I think they have more time than people realize. I apologize in advance if I’m completely butchering this info, but I believe the new rules passed by the NCAA a few months ago gives the WAC until 2014 to get their football house in order. They still will need eight for basketball though.

Seattle is going to be announced in June, but no one else is coming. This has been implied by several of the WAC athletic directors (including Idaho) and second parties close to the situation. The West Coast/Mountain schools have put their foot down on any further Texas or Louisiana expansion. This means while Lamar and Sam Houston are willing to move up, they will not be getting invites this time around. SJSU, Idaho and Utah State want FCS schools closer to their neck of the woods. This means Sac State, UC Davis Cal Poly, Portland State and the Montanas. The major hitch in this plan is none of these schools seem willing to take the bait at this time. Montana won’t move without State and State isn‘t ready (nor is anyone sure Montana could support two FBS programs), UC Davis has already turned them down several times, Sac State doesn’t want to budge, Cal Poly isn’t ready facility wise and Portland State, well, I have no idea where they stand but they don‘t seem to be scrambling to get in.

SJSU and Utah State could very well be holding out for a MWC invites. If no West Coast/Western schools join, there is no reason for them to stay. The WAC failing is another reason to forget the conference and try everything they can to get in the MWC. LA Tech wants to be in the CUSA oh so very badly, not the WAC, so they’re only going through the motions at this point. Once the CUSA gets raided, LA Tech is probably in, kissing the WAC goodbye and good riddance. NMSU seems content to be a Sun Belt School if they were invited. The Texas twins could also easily fit into the Sun Belt. Denver and Seattle would be conference-less until the Summit or WCC came a knocking. If everything fell into place, Idaho could find itself in the cold with only the Big Sky offering a safe shelter.

It all seems a little crazy, but this ladies and gentlemen is one of the ways I keep myself occupied in the off season. One of only many crazy "what if" scenarios. Sad but true, sad but f**cking true.

[SuperHornet]

SJ: You mean that Sac isn't budging on joining the WAC for ALL sponsored sports. Sac is ALREADY in the WAC and has won WAC titles.

[dbackjon]

SJ: You mean that Sac isn't budging on joining the WAC for ALL sponsored sports. Sac is ALREADY in the WAC and has won WAC titles.

Sac State is NOT in the WAC. They are an affiliate in a couple of sports. NAU is an affiliate in one sport. Doesn't mean jack for football or basketball.