MSU Move to FBS

[Flowtowngriz72]

Some people go to more games because each is very important to get better seed in playoffs.

People don’t go to early playoff games, because their season tickets don’t cover games. And it can be Thanksgiving, hunting or good. But as the Griz advance, people go.

UN doesn’ti play in 3d tier and it is not B. You obviously don’t play sports and don’t understand sport.

FCS isn’t a 3 or 4 team race, but who cares if it is. All of the playoff games are fun. Huge competition.

UM sells out because the games and team are huge fun. And the playoffs.

Again, you don’t understand sport or Griz football. That’s okay. I hope you are still a fan. But you obviously don’t get it. I don’t mean to offend you, but I wanted to address your post. Keep posting.

OK.
1. I did play and do understand the game. I do my research and try to see from both sides of the argument. They both have positives and negatives. There is a reasons why programs want to be FBS. There is reason why programs use the FCS as transition time to get to the FBS. If the FCS was so great why did NDSU, James Madison, Sam Houston, Liberty, Georgia Southern, Sac St, Delaware and Missouri St make the jump. Look what Missouri St did last year they were middle to bottom of MVC. But I must agree we will never ever win a natty at the FBS level.
2 Yes winning games get us a better seed. But when you are favorites 90% of your games and most games should be blow outs. Not real exciting football games on paper. Not saying we dont play down to their level or that we are the highlight game that isn't FBS of their season. Specially when they play here. There is a reason why they double to triple their tickets when we come and visit. But the idea we go to games for better seeding doesn't hold water. We go to the games for the event. For the tailgating, hanging with our griz family and have a few beers and watch a game that we should stomp our opponents. Not every game goes to plan. Ask Washington about that, or Oregon when Idaho challenged them. Games that shouldn't gave been close but we play the game for a reason.
3. FCS is a 3rd tier. Power 4 tier 1, G6 tier 2, " If you try to say power schools are the same level as the G schools you really need to do some research. Yes Boise St or James Madison might win a game or two against the power school. Just like FCS school might beat a G school every year doesn't mean that they are in the same level. If Boise St went to the SEC they would have losing season for sure. They will win a few but Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee would kill them specially if they play them week in and week out.
So yes we are the 3rd tier of college football. Yes our games are fun to watch, yes they have meaning to the griz fan but dont for a second think Oregon or even Wyoming give to shits about us. They might say ya we know griz football but it like us say ya we know Carroll college. I don't follow NAIA, or D2 for more then 2 seconds a year. Because the media, and most football fans dont think they matter. But the FBS I know what happens there, specially the power 4 schools. But I do know what happens with pac, and MWC because they are the western conferences. Plus they are where we probably belong. Look at NDSU. They one of the favorites to win it in their first year. They may not but they are in the preseason talk around the nation.
4. If you think the FCS isn't a 3 or 4 team contest. Hmm. Who have been in the natty the last 5 years. Montana, SDSU, NDSU, Kitties, and Illinois St. Who had a very veteran team and lost most of their team. Who going to replace NDSU. Most people think the kitties or SDSU. Montana has an outside chance but haven't done it yet. No one is saying Illinois St. Mercer, nope, shit I can't think of many teams anymore that have name power. Villanova, they are basketball school with a good football program that doesn't get the university money. That goes to basketball.
5. UM program is average college program. If it was better we wouldn't lose players to g5 schools and power 4 schools. Yes I said that. We hardly lose players to other FCS school. Like we get in. If the player has a great year, we sit on egg shells preying they dont leave for Colorado St.

 

[mthoopsfan]

OK.
1. I did play and do understand the game. I do my research and try to see from both sides of the argument. They both have positives and negatives. There is a reasons why programs want to be FBS. There is reason why programs use the FCS as transition time to get to the FBS. If the FCS was so great why did NDSU, James Madison, Sam Houston, Liberty, Georgia Southern, Sac St, Delaware and Missouri St make the jump. Look what Missouri St did last year they were middle to bottom of MVC. But I must agree we will never ever win a natty at the FBS level.
2 Yes winning games get us a better seed. But when you are favorites 90% of your games and most games should be blow outs. Not real exciting football games on paper. Not saying we dont play down to their level or that we are the highlight game that isn't FBS of their season. Specially when they play here. There is a reason why they double to triple their tickets when we come and visit. But the idea we go to games for better seeding doesn't hold water. We go to the games for the event. For the tailgating, hanging with our griz family and have a few beers and watch a game that we should stomp our opponents. Not every game goes to plan. Ask Washington about that, or Oregon when Idaho challenged them. Games that shouldn't gave been close but we play the game for a reason.
3. FCS is a 3rd tier. Power 4 tier 1, G6 tier 2, " If you try to say power schools are the same level as the G schools you really need to do some research. Yes Boise St or James Madison might win a game or two against the power school. Just like FCS school might beat a G school every year doesn't mean that they are in the same level. If Boise St went to the SEC they would have losing season for sure. They will win a few but Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee would kill them specially if they play them week in and week out.
So yes we are the 3rd tier of college football. Yes our games are fun to watch, yes they have meaning to the griz fan but dont for a second think Oregon or even Wyoming give to shits about us. They might say ya we know griz football but it like us say ya we know Carroll college. I don't follow NAIA, or D2 for more then 2 seconds a year. Because the media, and most football fans dont think they matter. But the FBS I know what happens there, specially the power 4 schools. But I do know what happens with pac, and MWC because they are the western conferences. Plus they are where we probably belong. Look at NDSU. They one of the favorites to win it in their first year. They may not but they are in the preseason talk around the nation.
4. If you think the FCS isn't a 3 or 4 team contest. Hmm. Who have been in the natty the last 5 years. Montana, SDSU, NDSU, Kitties, and Illinois St. Who had a very veteran team and lost most of their team. Who going to replace NDSU. Most people think the kitties or SDSU. Montana has an outside chance but haven't done it yet. No one is saying Illinois St. Mercer, nope, shit I can't think of many teams anymore that have name power. Villanova, they are basketball school with a good football program that doesn't get the unrsity money. That goes to basketball.
5. UM program is average college program. If it was better we wouldn't lose players to g5 schools and power 4 schools. Yes I said that. We hardly lose players to other FCS school. Like we get in. If the player has a great year, we sit on egg shells preying they dont leave for Colorado St.

1. You should ask those schools why. Those schools were/are in different positions than UM. Some of those schools aren't doing so hot in FBS, in my view. DE was 7-6, Liberty was 4-8, SH was 2-10. Mo St was 7-6. Geo. So. was 7-6. Marshall was 5-7, App St was 5-8, Geo St was 1-11. Does that excite you?

I got to games because every game is important for the seed. Game is fun too.

FCS and certainly UM is not 3d tier. You are wrong. And, who cares what tier they are? I sure don't. I like the competition and the fun of the games.

You just named 5 teams for the top 3/4. How's your math?

UM is a terrific program and school. UM doesn't worry about losing players to CSU. What are you talking about? Why did Eli stay at UM this season and not go to Indiana? You've heard of Indiana, right?

"a total of 16 teams finished with a losing or even (.500) record in 2025:

Winless & 1-Win Seasons

• UMass Minutemen (0–12)
• Georgia State Panthers (1–11)
• Charlotte 49ers (1–11)

2 to 4 Win Seasons

• Sam Houston Bearkats (2–10)
• UTEP Miners (2–10)
• Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (3–9)
• Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (3–9)
• Nevada Wolf Pack (3–9)
• Northern Illinois Huskies (3–9)
• Ball State Cardinals (4–8)
• Eastern Michigan Eagles (4–8)
• South Alabama Jaguars (4–8)
• Liberty Flames (4–8)

5 to 7 Losses (Losing or Even Records)

• Marshall Thundering Herd (5–7)
• Appalachian State Mountaineers (5–8)
• Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (6–7)" Gemini.

 

[Flowtowngriz72]

1. You should ask those schools why. Those schools were/are in different positions than UM. Some of those schools aren't doing so hot in FBS, in my view. DE was 7-6, Liberty was 4-8, SH was 2-10. Mo St was 7-6. Geo. So. was 7-6. Marshall was 5-7, App St was 5-8, Geo St was 1-11. Does that excite you?

I got to games because every game is important for the seed. Game is fun too.

FCS and certainly UM is not 3d tier. You are wrong. And, who cares what tier they are? I sure don't. I like the competition and the fun of the games.

You just named 5 teams for the top 3/4. How's your math?

UM is a terrific program and school. UM doesn't worry about losing players to CSU. What are you talking about? Why did Eli stay at UM this season and not go to Indiana? You've heard of Indiana, right?

The 5th school i named lost all their veteran players. So they are not favorites. They are not even favorites in their own conference. I named the last 5 schools that made the natty the 4 years. Not the favorites.

Those schools do play in the FBS now. The competition is better. You are going to lose more games. Griz nation is not for the weak or timid. You are sir weak and timid by not wanting to have play teams that have the same resources, pedigree, tradition and fans. Fair weather fans only care winning gamesvthat they should win. I would be OK losing to Colorado st or Wyoming or Boise st. But I am not ok with weak ass schedules so we can get wins. Shit even Coulter says the FCS and Big Sky a step down from our program. Please tell me he doesn't know he is talking about. Please tell that to him.

 

[Flowtowngriz72]

Glad you cherry picked the teams that having losing records. Recognizing the teams that are successful. Shit we texas at a few years ago. Now look at them. They are in the pac.

I am not saying we need to move up or that it is do or die. But I do know what level of football we do play. A ckass B football games is good game but they will get destroyed by a class AA team. Different levels and talent. Yes class B has some studs but overall class AA has many more studs. Just like FCS to FBS. And power 4 to G6 differences.

 

[mthoopsfan]

The 5th school i named lost all their veteran players. So they are not favorites. They are not even favorites in their own conference. I named the last 5 schools that made the natty the 4 years. Not the favorites.

Those schools do play in the FBS now. The competition is better. You are going to lose more games. Griz nation is not for the weak or timid. You are sir weak and timid by not wanting to have play teams that have the same resources, pedigree, tradition and fans. Fair weather fans only care winning gamesvthat they should win. I would be OK losing to Colorado st or Wyoming or Boise st. But I am not ok with weak ass schedules so we can get wins. Shit even Coulter says the FCS and Big Sky a step down from our program. Please tell me he doesn't know he is talking about. Please tell that to him.

And you don’t know what you are talking about at times. Yes, competition is better in the FBS generally, but most of those teams I listed are doing poorly. That lack of success would hurt or ruin Griz football. UM has no place to go currently. And not enough financial resources to move up. UM has mostly very good fans not fair weather fans. I often don’t agree with Coulter. He has his views. I have mine. I have told him in the past what I don’t agree with. “Even Coulter” made me chuckle. No one who knows me would say I was weak or timid. You are unknowledgeable in some of what you say. Maybe you like to lose games and not compete for championships, but I don’t.

 

[mthoopsfan]

Glad you cherry picked the teams that having losing records. Recognizing the teams that are successful. Shit we texas at a few years ago. Now look at them. They are in the pac.

I am not saying we need to move up or that it is do or die. But I do know what level of football we do play. A ckass B football games is good game but they will get destroyed by a class AA team. Different levels and talent. Yes class B has some studs but overall class AA has many more studs. Just like FCS to FBS. And power 4 to G6 differences.

I first gave you the record of most of the teams you listed. The top of FCS football is very good. It is not Class B.

 

[SinCityGriz2005]

The bolded areas are key. I'd be very curious to see a pole of out of staters vs in staters regarding their opinion on an FBS move. People in Montana -- I believe -- have an oversized idea of how important Montana (and the fcs in general) is on the national landscape. It's not their fault; they're in the middle of it so it makes sense. But for those of us removed, we really truly see that the fcs is 3rd tier, and few if any know about it.

Okay, as a born and raised and lived in Montana most of my life Montanan, I would rather see the Griz move up. My reason is for more national exposure. Montana has some great athletes and there is a great tradition in the state for excellence... at our level. I have always wanted Montana teams to get more exposure. However, I am one of few.

Many Montanans are fine with being a large fish (not the big fish) in a small pond. I don't have a problem with that either, but have the stones to admit that the FCS is nothing more than Tier II football.

I have heard all of the arguments over the last 20 years on eGriz. It's a fact. once or twice a year an FCS team might beat an overconfident/unprepared garbage FBS team... yeah it even happened with App State and Michigan. Play that game a thousand times and App State loses 999/1000. It's true that there are NFL level players at the FCS/Div II/III level. They are the unicorns, not the norm.

I happen to live in a place where Montana is well known thanks to the 1995/1996 championships, outside of Huntington, nobody knows about Montana (other than Las Vegas where we happen to have more or less our own bar at Torrey Pines). Oddly, people know who NDSU is, not so much SDSU or MSU. Why? Great marketing. NDSU was BRILLIANT marketing that team.

Personally, and this is JUST me, I would love to see UM and MSU in the Mountain West, or even the PAC, but it's not gonna happen.

That's not a bad thing. Chihuahua's think they are big dogs. they have the big dog attitude and fight, they make a lot of noise, but that's it.

 

[mthoopsfan]

I think NDSU became a big deal because they were incredibly successful, won many FCS championships, won many FBS games, and produced many top players and higher round drafts picks. Don’t think it was marketing.

 

[ElrodGrizzly]

There is a lacross field. There may not be a ton of seating but it has a scoreboard and is new within probably the last 5/6 years?

Golf. Thats easy if either school has women's gold then they can have men's golf.

Hockey. Both schools would need to build an arena.

Bobcat stadium has a larger capacity than an FBS school needs to have. Could it be bigger? Yes.

Soccer. MSU still owns land close to the school that isnt developed. I just can't imagine it take long to build some stands and locker rooms. Same with Softball.

Where is the UM lacrosse field just out of curiosity? I haven't been past it though the soccer field and softball field I haven't driven past either.

I would be a huge fan of both schools adding wrestling. I didn't realize what a huge sport it was. I'm kind of dating this girl who's kids wrestle and have learned how its scored and actually enjoy watching it. Can you imagine a Cat/griz dual? The atmosphere would be freaking electric!

I believe the lacrosse teams play in Washington Griz, but I am not going to pretend I've ever gone.

I don't know much about the land that MSU owns, I was mostly talking about the approval process itself. The BoR and City of Bozeman don't make it a quick or easy process.

And I would be so jacked if they added wrestling. Those duals would be absolutely out of hand, in the best way possible. Wrestling would also be a cheap sport to add, and Montana has a vibrant women's wrestling scene.

I'm still voting for beach volleyball, though.

 

[GriznMN]

Oddly, people know who NDSU is, not so much SDSU or MSU. Why? Great marketing. NDSU was BRILLIANT marketing that team.

There are people in Minnesota who follow college football and don't know who NDSU or SDSU are or how good they are in football. Maybe that will change now that NDSU is FBS but I'm not sure. Most people are locked into the P4 and nothing else.

NDSU doesn't even get a mention on major sports radio in the Twin Cities unless someone calls in and mentions them. Even then, the hosts of the sports radio programs just yawn.

 

[EverettGriz]

The problem with wrestling is that there are fewer than 80 DI programs in the country who offer it, and only 3 in the Mountain West.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

Any added sport will most likely be a woman's sport.

 

[Hells bells]

How is the playoffs the reason we sell out games. Not saying winning helps but if the the playoffs were so important. The playoff games themselves would be sold-out, but they sell sell only half to a third of the stadium. Unless it is the semifinal game. We know we are making the playoffs unless we shit the bed. It is a 99% chance to make it. Specially how the FCS is getting more watered down.
We are celebrating a home and home game with a team that just started a football team a couple years ago. We celebrate division 2 teams that moved up a few years ago. Not saying we need to move up, but we need to accept that we play in a third tier of football. Kinda like class B football in state. Us moving to D2 isn't much of competitive difference. Right now the FCS is a 3 or 4 team race. Not saying a out layer can win but if I had to bet my house on who is making the natty. I would only consider 3 or 4 teams.

But please dont say we sell out because of the playoffs. We would sell out for a chance to win the mountian west championship, as much. Plus play more competitive teams. Right now we should win 10 to 12 games. If we dont them we feel the wheels is coming off the wagon. Only fair weather fans want us to play a schedule that we almost guarantee 10 win seasons.
Hey we can go backwards but then we should stay. I always want to move forward and sometimes moving forward is hard work and risky. If we decided to play it safe. We deserve what we get. Playing in the basically class B football that only people give a shit are the ones who live class B. Shit division 2 dont give a shit about us like we give a shit about fbs. That is because fbs is the best of the best of college football.
Sorry about the rant but I am so tired people think that griz football is so special that we should worship it. It is average to below average college football. Yes we love our team but outside montana nobody gives a shit. If state want to move up. I would support them even if it leaves us behind. At least someone has the balls to take a risk. But we all know we are tied at the hip.

Go GRIZ. Montana is not for the timid and the weak. Most of the posters who want to stay are timid and weak.

(1) Are you sure that attendance will not drop if the Bobcats/Griz average 5 win seasons? Also, lets be honest, it will be hard to get excited for a "i dont give a shit" bowl. Our teams are the big fish in the FCS, but in the FBS we are actually small.

(2) I agree, moving forward is risky. For the most part (Ex, getting married and having kids, moving to a new town to go to school/job, buying a house/car) it is worth it. However, honest question: do you think that either team has the facilities to compete honestly in the Mountain West? Please look at App State, Georgia Southern, Marshall as recent examples of former D1AA/FCS teams that have flamed out in the FBS. Please dont mention Boise, it took them a decade to be able to compete.

 

[MontanaGrizSoccer]

(1) Are you sure that attendance will not drop if the Bobcats/Griz average 5 win seasons? Also, lets be honest, it will be hard to get excited for a "i dont give a shit" bowl. Our teams are the big fish in the FCS, but in the FBS we are actually small.

(2) I agree, moving forward is risky. For the most part (Ex, getting married and having kids, moving to a new town to go to school/job, buying a house/car) it is worth it. However, honest question: do you think that either team has the facilities to compete honestly in the Mountain West? Please look at App State, Georgia Southern, Marshall as recent examples of former D1AA/FCS teams that have flamed out in the FBS. Please dont mention Boise, it took them a decade to be able to compete.

The biggest hurdle would be recruiting, NIL and scholarship money. You wouldn't be able to have all the local Montana players and be competitive, so recruiting the state would drastically change.