BSU's "meaningless" Fiesta Bowl payday $18 million

[BoiseState80]

Hi guys,
I created an account just to give my 2 cents on this subject. I could talk for hours about this subject but I will try to scale it back. I don't know anything about Montana's athletic budget or financial situation so please don't flame me too bad.

If Montana were to step up to the MWC (assuming the MWC would accept Montana), I really believe you would not be another Wyoming. In fact, after a few years you would push past Wyoming. Here's a couple reasons to back my claims.
1- being the sole FBS program in Montana you would have a better chance of retaining your best in state talent( we have loved Matt Miller here in Boise, you may have been able to retain him if you were FBS).
2- similar to reason 1 but I also believe you would start out recruiting Wyoming too.
3-your athletic budget may be small now but you have boosters with deep pockets waiting for something new and exciting to support. This is how Boise succeeded,local donors and boosters ponying up for indoor practice facility, stueckle skybox suites, etc, etc

4- your latest facilities upgrades are better than many MWC schools
5-you are well aware of this but FCS is more irrelevant than ever. The playoff system is awesome but nobody cares and it's scary to see more universities talking about dropping football.
6- if you are in the MWC, because of Boise ,that puts you in a best of the rest conference and when you do have a good year you would have a good shot at a New Years 6 bowl.
7-anytime Boise has a bad year like last years 8-4 people start acting like Boises Cinderella run is over but we always reload and come back strong regardless of coaches, players, President etc. This is because Boise is committed to the program and the valley supports the program. It makes us a positive culture set up for winning and success unlike Idaho whose president is not forward thinking enough to realize what it takes. Montana has many of these same attributes and like Boise has been spoiled with success and will do what it takes to retain the winning traditions.

There is so much more to add but that gives one BSU fans perspective. Thanks for reading!

 

[Potomac Griz]

There's JUST as good a chance we DON'T go 4-8, but rather 8-4, 9-3, etc....but that doesn't fit your model, does it?

Exactly. App went 7-5 this year after a rough start. Georgia Southern? 9-3. Also led the country in rushing offense and was #10 in scoring offense. First year for them in the FBS. Amazing how people assume we'd automatically suck if we moved up.

Of course the next argument would be even if we didn't suck we'd just end up in the <insert smartass name for a bowl game here> that no one cares about... Ya know, like the two bowl games Sun Belt teams have played in so far this year which outdrew every FCS playoff game this year.

Pretty much the whole Sun Belt conference is made up of a bunch of Idahos

Idaho had a higher average attendance this year than every Big Sky team with the exception of the Griz and the Cats.

Here are average attendance numbers this year for teams in the often made fun of Sun Belt:
App State - 23,091
Arkansas State - 24,861
Georgia Southern - 21,102
Georgia State - 15,006
Idaho - 12,886
Lousiana-Lafayette - 25,775
Louisiana-Monroe - 18,108
New Mexico State - 12,269
South Alabama - 17,440
Texas State - 19,785
Troy - 16,767

Want me to post the attendance numbers for the Big Sky teams so we can compare or would that be too depressing?

Never get why people make fun of the bowl games (which almost all outdraw the top attended FCS playoff games by a laughable amount), make fun of FBS conferences (which again out draw the Big Sky by huge amounts) and while poking fun at all these "lesser" FBS teams still want to make it sound like the Griz would be flat out awful if we moved up.

 

[BoiseState80]

Hi guys,
I created an account just to give my 2 cents on this subject. I could talk for hours about this subject but I will try to scale it back. I don't know anything about Montana's athletic budget or financial situation so please don't flame me too bad.

If Montana were to step up to the MWC (assuming the MWC would accept Montana), I really believe you would not be another Wyoming. In fact, after a few years you would push past Wyoming. Here's a couple reasons to back my claims.
1- being the sole FBS program in Montana you would have a better chance of retaining your best in state talent( we have loved Matt Miller here in Boise, you may have been able to retain him if you were FBS).
2- similar to reason 1 but I also believe you would start out recruiting Wyoming too.
3-your athletic budget may be small now but you have boosters with deep pockets waiting for something new and exciting to support. This is how Boise succeeded,local donors and boosters ponying up for indoor practice facility, stueckle skybox suites, etc, etc

4- your latest facilities upgrades are better than many MWC schools
5-you are well aware of this but FCS is more irrelevant than ever. The playoff system is awesome but nobody cares and it's scary to see more universities talking about dropping football.
6- if you are in the MWC, because of Boise ,that puts you in a best of the rest conference and when you do have a good year you would have a good shot at a New Years 6 bowl.
7-anytime Boise has a bad year like last years 8-4 people start acting like Boises Cinderella run is over but we always reload and come back strong regardless of coaches, players, President etc. This is because Boise is committed to the program and the valley supports the program. It makes us a positive culture set up for winning and success unlike Idaho whose president is not forward thinking enough to realize what it takes. Montana has many of these same attributes and like Boise has been spoiled with success and will do what it takes to retain the winning traditions.

There is so much more to add but that gives one BSU fans perspective. Thanks for reading!

 

[EverettGriz]

Good post, Poto.

 

[Herd]

So Tip, answer this question in honestly, though it's a hypothetical. Say Montana gets invited to the MWC, and say they begin playing in 2016. Then say the Griz do no better than 4-8, 3-9, 4-8 through 2019. Would you be mad and want Stitt fired even though the athletic department is making at least 2-3 million extra per year off of the winning school's in the MWC bowl revenue? And if you would want Stitt fired, can I ask why? If the move up is all about the MONEY that Boise State is generating, and Montana is getting a subtantial piece of the pie, then why does the coaches record even matter?

Sorry, but you don't join the MWC to play 5 win football and make money off the best teams in your conference. Whether you are in the FCS or the MWC, you need to complete for your conference championship and a bowl/playoff berth. I would expect an FBS bison team to win the conference, the same I would in FCS. If that means I need to show patience for a couple of years, so be it. It was no different than moving into the Mvfc, where we took a few lumps before learning what was required to win the conference. Montana should have everything that they need to compete in the MWC, except a little toughness in the fanbase . Last time I checked, Utah and BYU are gone, so I'm not sure what the big concern is with the MWC, you could compete for titles IMO, assuming you have good coaching.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Never get why people make fun of the bowl games (which almost all outdraw the top attended FCS playoff games by a laughable amount), make fun of FBS conferences (which again out draw the Big Sky by huge amounts) and while poking fun at all these "lesser" FBS teams still want to make it sound like the Griz would be flat out awful if we moved up.

'Tis a bit ironic, isn't it. :lol: :lol:

 

[AZGrizFan]

So Tip, answer this question in honestly, though it's a hypothetical. Say Montana gets invited to the MWC, and say they begin playing in 2016. Then say the Griz do no better than 4-8, 3-9, 4-8 through 2019. Would you be mad and want Stitt fired even though the athletic department is making at least 2-3 million extra per year off of the winning school's in the MWC bowl revenue? And if you would want Stitt fired, can I ask why? If the move up is all about the MONEY that Boise State is generating, and Montana is getting a subtantial piece of the pie, then why does the coaches record even matter?

Sorry, but you don't join the MWC to play 5 win football and make money off the best teams in your conference. Whether you are in the FCS or the MWC, you need to complete for your conference championship and a bowl/playoff berth. I would expect an FBS bison team to win the conference, the same I would in FCS. If that means I need to show patience for a couple of years, so be it. It was no different than moving into the Mvfc, where we took a few lumps before learning what was required to win the conference. Montana should have everything that they need to compete in the MWC, except a little toughness in the fanbase . Last time I checked, Utah and BYU are gone, so I'm not sure what the big concern is with the MWC, you could compete for titles IMO, assuming you have good coaching.

Jesus. How fucking embarrassing is it to have to have a damned Bison fan come in here and throw down some knowledge. :evil:

 

[KingsValleyGriz]

I just wonder what the point of building and pumping money into our facilities is worth just to be in the BSC? In reality most every other team in the BSC does just as much on the field as the Griz without a WA Griz stadium and 1/4 of the fan base!

Why build to be elite at the FCS and compete for recruits that if they got an offer from Idaho or New Mexico would more than likely drop the Griz offer to play in a "higher" level. Perception or not it happens.

We have seen programs move up and falter and some move up and do well. I think UM could do well if they comitted to it. UM has a great start to build off of.

I honestly feel even joining the SBC on a west division with Idaho and New Mex would be great. Maybe try and get NDSU and another or two Dakota school and MSU to join. This would be a good platform to build off of and when the day comes that the MWC needs new members we are legitimate at that point.

 

[AZGrizFan]

I just wonder what the point of building and pumping money into our facilities is worth just to be in the BSC? In reality most every other team in the BSC does just as much on the field as the Griz without a WA Griz stadium and 1/4 of the fan base!

Why build to be elite at the FCS and compete for recruits that if they got an offer from Idaho or New Mexico would more than likely drop the Griz offer to play in a "higher" level. Perception or not it happens.

We have seen programs move up and falter and some move up and do well. I think UM could do well if they comitted to it. UM has a great start to build off of.

I honestly feel even joining the SBC on a west division with Idaho and New Mex would be great. Maybe try and get NDSU and another or two Dakota school and MSU to join. This would be a good platform to build off of and when the day comes that the MWC needs new members we are legitimate at that point.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Agreed 100%.

 

[get'em_griz]

I just wonder what the point of building and pumping money into our facilities is worth just to be in the BSC? In reality most every other team in the BSC does just as much on the field as the Griz without a WA Griz stadium and 1/4 of the fan base!

Why build to be elite at the FCS and compete for recruits that if they got an offer from Idaho or New Mexico would more than likely drop the Griz offer to play in a "higher" level. Perception or not it happens.

We have seen programs move up and falter and some move up and do well. I think UM could do well if they comitted to it. UM has a great start to build off of.

I honestly feel even joining the SBC on a west division with Idaho and New Mex would be great. Maybe try and get NDSU and another or two Dakota school and MSU to join. This would be a good platform to build off of and when the day comes that the MWC needs new members we are legitimate at that point.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Agreed 100%.

I agree that there's got to be a reason behind all the facility improvements that are coming in the next few years. I just don't see Montana building these new facilities and adding new sports just to stay at the FCS level. Of course there was a huge need for improved locker/weight rooms for all athletes, but the one we are getting will be by far the best in the FCS, and on par with many in the Sun Belt and Mountain West. I, like many, feel that all these improvements are preparing Montana for the potential move up, even though there may not be an offer on the table yet. With how quickly the college football landscape is changing, I'm glad Montana is being proactive and getting itself ready.

 

[GrizzGriz]

I just wonder what the point of building and pumping money into our facilities is worth just to be in the BSC? In reality most every other team in the BSC does just as much on the field as the Griz without a WA Griz stadium and 1/4 of the fan base!

Why build to be elite at the FCS and compete for recruits that if they got an offer from Idaho or New Mexico would more than likely drop the Griz offer to play in a "higher" level. Perception or not it happens.

We have seen programs move up and falter and some move up and do well. I think UM could do well if they comitted to it. UM has a great start to build off of.

I honestly feel even joining the SBC on a west division with Idaho and New Mex would be great. Maybe try and get NDSU and another or two Dakota school and MSU to join. This would be a good platform to build off of and when the day comes that the MWC needs new members we are legitimate at that point.

The Sun Belt (or more accurately named "Schools Moving Up to Play the Big Boys") could be something like this:

West
Montana
NDSU
Texas State
New Mexico State
Idaho
Louisiana-Monroe
Montana State

East
Troy
S. Alabama
Georgia State
Georgia Southern
Arkansas State
Appy State
Louisiana-Lafayette

Interesting that all these schools listed, but for NMSU, have been or are currently playing in a lower division than FBS.

 

[EverettGriz]

80, great post and welcome to the board. And congrats on your big win!

 

[RobGriz]

There's JUST as good a chance we DON'T go 4-8, but rather 8-4, 9-3, etc....but that doesn't fit your model, does it?

Exactly. App went 7-5 this year after a rough start. Georgia Southern? 9-3. Also led the country in rushing offense and was #10 in scoring offense. First year for them in the FBS. Amazing how people assume we'd automatically suck if we moved up.

Of course the next argument would be even if we didn't suck we'd just end up in the <insert smartass name for a bowl game here> that no one cares about... Ya know, like the two bowl games Sun Belt teams have played in so far this year which outdrew every FCS playoff game this year.

Pretty much the whole Sun Belt conference is made up of a bunch of Idahos

Idaho had a higher average attendance this year than every Big Sky team with the exception of the Griz and the Cats.

Here are average attendance numbers this year for teams in the often made fun of Sun Belt:
App State - 23,091
Arkansas State - 24,861
Georgia Southern - 21,102
Georgia State - 15,006
Idaho - 12,886
Lousiana-Lafayette - 25,775
Louisiana-Monroe - 18,108
New Mexico State - 12,269
South Alabama - 17,440
Texas State - 19,785
Troy - 16,767

Want me to post the attendance numbers for the Big Sky teams so we can compare or would that be too depressing?

Never get why people make fun of the bowl games (which almost all outdraw the top attended FCS playoff games by a laughable amount), make fun of FBS conferences (which again out draw the Big Sky by huge amounts) and while poking fun at all these "lesser" FBS teams still want to make it sound like the Griz would be flat out awful if we moved up.

First you can in no way use the success of another program as proof that we'd be successful. For every success there is a failure, UMASS comes to mind.
Second I was referring to win/loss record. There is no trophy for attendance.
Third preferring playoff football and the atmosphere at WaGriz during the playoffs to a bowl game does not make me a bad fan. I do not understand some peoples weird infatuation with bowl games but doesn't make them bad fans either.
Lastly, many on here repeatedly bash the BSC and use it's weakness as a reason to move up. This is the same BSC that we haven't been at the top of in quite a few years and yet people believe we will somehow magically be at the top of the MWC. How's that for irony?

 

[EverettGriz]

First you can in no way use the success of another program as proof that we'd be successful. For every success there is a failure, UMASS comes to mind.

I agree 100% with this. But by that same token, the opposite is 100% accurate. You can't use another team's failure to suggest UM would fail. Too many of the status quo proponents are adamant Montana cannot win at the next level.

And it's interesting you highlight UMASS. UMASS isn't committed to football. Never have been. It's a BB school. They made the move to FBS for one reason: they saw that even with a poor team you can make boatloads of money.

 

[Umista]

Montana and Montana State will both be in the same conference as the board of regents have stated this fact in the past. I don't see Montana going up leaving MSU in the dust. Ain't gonna happen and as many UM fans want us to move up, count on BOTH teams moving together.

As some MSU fans have noted the Montana schools need to get their act together before moving up or sideways. Of course I see both moving up in the future.....when is the question?

Meaningless bowel games don't turn my crank. We will never please our fans 100% and much work needs to be done before we move up. Look at the goofy BSC conference right now. What a mess. Look at the UM and MSU presidents....that will tell you what the answer is. In the meantime we better count on playing in our shiddy BSC and watch how this all plays out.

I was a big fan of the MSU female president until I attended the graduation in Bozeman this past December. Now I rank her down at or below Royce. Sports, what is that? Naw, we have a long way to go with both these nerds in charge.

 

[RobGriz]

I just wonder what the point of building and pumping money into our facilities is worth just to be in the BSC? In reality most every other team in the BSC does just as much on the field as the Griz without a WA Griz stadium and 1/4 of the fan base!

Why build to be elite at the FCS and compete for recruits that if they got an offer from Idaho or New Mexico would more than likely drop the Griz offer to play in a "higher" level. Perception or not it happens.

We have seen programs move up and falter and some move up and do well. I think UM could do well if they comitted to it. UM has a great start to build off of.

I honestly feel even joining the SBC on a west division with Idaho and New Mex would be great. Maybe try and get NDSU and another or two Dakota school and MSU to join. This would be a good platform to build off of and when the day comes that the MWC needs new members we are legitimate at that point.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Agreed 100%.

I agree that there's got to be a reason behind all the facility improvements that are coming in the next few years. I just don't see Montana building these new facilities and adding new sports just to stay at the FCS level. Of course there was a huge need for improved locker/weight rooms for all athletes, but the one we are getting will be by far the best in the FCS, and on par with many in the Sun Belt and Mountain West. I, like many, feel that all these improvements are preparing Montana for the potential move up, even though there may not be an offer on the table yet. With how quickly the college football landscape is changing, I'm glad Montana is being proactive and getting itself ready.

Agree that it is probably inevitable. I personally believe that there will be some big changes coming down in the next few years, we are already seeing it with the addition of playoffs to the FBS. I think in the future you will see the "super 64" break off and than the FBS and FCS schools will be in for some tough decisions. I believe there will come a time when there is a division for the super 64, a division made up of what's left of the FBS and the top of the FCS and the lower teams in the FCS will roll back into div II.
Now this is just a hypothesis but I believe it will be pretty close.

 

[PlayerRep]

First you can in no way use the success of another program as proof that we'd be successful. For every success there is a failure, UMASS comes to mind.

I agree 100% with this. But by that same token, the opposite is 100% accurate. You can't use another team's failure to suggest UM would fail. Too many of the status quo proponents are adamant Montana cannot win at the next level.

And it's interesting you highlight UMASS. UMASS isn't committed to football. Never have been. It's a BB school. They made the move to FBS for one reason: they saw that even with a poor team you can make boatloads of money.

True to some extent. However, you can look at other schools to see what they had as advantages and disadvantages, what they put into the move up in terms of resources, facilities and preparation, both initially and on an ongoing basis--and then make comparisons.

 

[RobGriz]

First you can in no way use the success of another program as proof that we'd be successful. For every success there is a failure, UMASS comes to mind.

I agree 100% with this. But by that same token, the opposite is 100% accurate. You can't use another team's failure to suggest UM would fail.

I kinda thought that was my point...?

 

[PlayerRep]

I just wonder what the point of building and pumping money into our facilities is worth just to be in the BSC? In reality most every other team in the BSC does just as much on the field as the Griz without a WA Griz stadium and 1/4 of the fan base!

Why build to be elite at the FCS and compete for recruits that if they got an offer from Idaho or New Mexico would more than likely drop the Griz offer to play in a "higher" level. Perception or not it happens.

We have seen programs move up and falter and some move up and do well. I think UM could do well if they comitted to it. UM has a great start to build off of.

I honestly feel even joining the SBC on a west division with Idaho and New Mex would be great. Maybe try and get NDSU and another or two Dakota school and MSU to join. This would be a good platform to build off of and when the day comes that the MWC needs new members we are legitimate at that point.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Agreed 100%.

I agree that there's got to be a reason behind all the facility improvements that are coming in the next few years. I just don't see Montana building these new facilities and adding new sports just to stay at the FCS level. Of course there was a huge need for improved locker/weight rooms for all athletes, but the one we are getting will be by far the best in the FCS, and on par with many in the Sun Belt and Mountain West. I, like many, feel that all these improvements are preparing Montana for the potential move up, even though there may not be an offer on the table yet. With how quickly the college football landscape is changing, I'm glad Montana is being proactive and getting itself ready.

UM is doing a very nice weight/locker/office facility because a $7 million donation fell into its lap. UM is doing an academic center because Engstrom wanted it. The weight/locker room facility has been sorely needed for over a decade. UM has been working on that facility for over a decade, but the funding was never available. Several proposals/plans were considered. No big donors were willing to step up, until the Washington brothers got interested. One or two UM supporters in Missoula deserve significant credit for brokering this donation.

 

[kemajic]

Montana added softball to meet overdue Title 9 requirements, not to prepare for a move-up.