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Mountain West?
- Thread starter DayLaw
- Start date
How does Schmidt know this stuff? Who does he talk to?
He also followed that up with this --
I'd take it with a big ol' grain of salt until there is confirmation from someone.
I'd take it with a big ol' grain of salt until there is confirmation from someone.
That felt like ESPN sending a pretty clear message to the Mountain West when it was announced, at least to me.
I still think there's something going on behind the scene and why the Vegas Classic is happening between the Montana Schools and Dakotas.
I don't think it's a coincidence. There's no way any FCS schools outside of Montana and the Dakotas get that kind of exposure unless there's some teeth to the FBS pathway...
I don't think it's a coincidence. There's no way any FCS schools outside of Montana and the Dakotas get that kind of exposure unless there's some teeth to the FBS pathway...
This why I was really upset that we didn't make it to Nashville this year. It does feel like the College Football landscape is changing and the Montana schools are gonna be involved in conversations whether now or down the road. That's why the Griz really gotta go for it next season. Get one final natty at the FCS level before God only knows what the future College Football landscape looks like.
That is a belief stated by people, and I think that they are correct that the state budget isn't going to come up with millions to move up.
That being said, the Mountain West could have come up with some money in the past. When they sign a new TV deal they could carve out money to help teams move up.
A team like Montana could legally challenge the NCAA's fee to move up to the FBS. That is how I have always thought teams like us could move up, because we know the NCAA cannot win a case without the anti-trust exemption.
I am sure there could be other pathways.
I don't really want us to move up, but I acknowledge that others do and I am sure it is good that the University would explore all options.
2.8 million eyeballs in the semifinals for the Montana Schools would be a good resume to bring to "talks" for sure.
HelenaHandBasket
Well-known member
I have heard some similar chatter and that the TV numbers for the semifinal game did grab the attention of some MWC folks. I would still guess that the big holdup would be the level of financial assistance that the schools would need from the MWC to make the transition.
HelenaHandBasket
Well-known member
BOR isn't the only method of funding.
If they aren't being asked for money, OCHE and the BoR can still deny the ability to move up, right? I don't pretend to be an expert on that.
HelenaHandBasket
Well-known member
From what I have heard, the BOR isn't necessarily against FBS football, they are just not keen on pumping additional money to finance a move to FBS.
horribilisfan8184
Well-known member
Why not ask the legislature to earmark a portion of any future budget surpluses to a move up fund? I wouldn't mind if I got $5-$10 less in my rebate checks.
MUS would probably have to go to the Legislature next year if UM and msu want more money to fund a move up to FBS. That's what it's gonna take.
Ut-Grizfan
Well-known member
I hope it's true, both Montanas and Dakota States would instantly make the MWC a better Conference.
Yep. This fascination with "market size" is comical. El Paso is 675,000 people. There's not 15,000 there that give two shits about UTEP. After their season opener this year (drew 31,000), their highest attended game at home was 16,000 for the UNM game. Most of the others were under 10,000. But these conferences get enamored with the "size of the TV market"...I can assure you there weren't many more watching the game on TV.
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HelenaHandBasket
Well-known member
I don't think the MWC opens the door to the FCS schools unless UNLV leaves. They leveraged the MWC to give them a larger share instead of helping the FCS financially transition.
