GlacierGrizX said:
If Idaho does well and makes the playoffs, will they continue to get high-value recruits? If they still continue to do well, will they eventually lose all FBS-level talent through attrition, and be left with standard FCS recruits? What if they do poorly, will they be in the same pool as: Sac St, Northern Colorado, or UC Davis for talent level? If they start getting a "winning culture" back; could that entice New Mexico State to join the Big Sky?
You overestimate the FBS talent they had - a few top prospects, but they have only recruited at a top 50 FCS level for the last 15 years. They did start having a harder time recruiting when they brought the Olympic sports back into the BSC, football players saw the future of FCS on the wall. Petrino has strong roots to Montana, his roots in Helena and across the state, but his stay at UI will end when his son leaves the program.
They will finish about 5th this year, stay in the BSC top 4th to 8th for about 3 years, and then be relegated to ISU status. Crowds will leave the Kibbie Dome for a few years, but it will be packed by MSU, EWU, UM and ISU fans to watch the visitors. In 5 years, they will have forgotten FBS and settle into the BSC with a return of the fan base.