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

[ranco]

off-target knee jerk reactions are not so much amusing as pathetic.

Off target = your continual "move-up" drivel and your Boise State comparison.

So - Lets see your buddies and you come up with an additional $3.0 million per year.

In the past I was not a proponent of moving up, but I think that is where we are heading. We didn't add Softball by chance, it was for a purpose. CDA once pointed out how much better the regular season would be if we played the likes of Wyoming and Colorado State, rather than NCU and Portland State. I can't disagree with that. it's time.

 

[wbtfg]

I was under the impression that softball was added for title IX compliance purposes.

 

[GrizzGriz]

1st, BoiseState80, great post. For those who are "none-believers" or justify not moving up by stating the Griz aren't even dominating the BSC here is a look at Boise State going back to 1980 when they won the National Championship:

80 10-3 1st
81 10-3 1st
82 8-3 4th
83 6-5 T-3rd
84 6-5 T-3rd
85 7-4 3rd
86 5-6 5th
87 6-5 4th
88 8-4 3rd
89 6-5 4th
90 10-4 2nd
91 7-4 4th
92 5-6 5th
93 3-8 7th
94 13-2 1st
95 7-4 2nd

So 3 and 4 years before BSU decided to move up they had a 3 win and 5 win season respectively. The Broncos were not dominating the BSC by any means. As BoiseState80 stated, once the move up was announced (and remember they did not move to the Mountain West---but the now non football Big West) the money came rolling in.

 

[wbtfg]

This was from the Gazette back in 2011 when UM was being courted by the WAC.

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/big-sky-conference/university-of-montana/football/article_f11624ee-7fd2-531d-a771-f2bdabb8f12d.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[RobGriz]

1st, BoiseState80, great post. For those who are "none-believers" or justify not moving up by stating the Griz aren't even dominating the BSC here is a look at Boise State going back to 1980 when they won the National Championship:

80 10-3 1st
81 10-3 1st
82 8-3 4th
83 6-5 T-3rd
84 6-5 T-3rd
85 7-4 3rd
86 5-6 5th
87 6-5 4th
88 8-4 3rd
89 6-5 4th
90 10-4 2nd
91 7-4 4th
92 5-6 5th
93 3-8 7th
94 13-2 1st
95 7-4 2nd

So 3 and 4 years before BSU decided to move up they had a 3 win and 5 win season respectively. The Broncos were not dominating the BSC by any means. As BoiseState80 stated, once the move up was announced (and remember they did not move to the Mountain West---but the now non football Big West) the money came rolling in.

Well than by all means we should jump now. This proves success in the FBS is imminent.

 

[GrizzGriz]

RobGriz: I was just bringing so facts to the discussion...no more, no less. UM could compete in the right FBS league...as finances and facilities improved so could success. The difference I see between those who moved up and are succeeding and those who aren't is what the schools did with their commitment. BSU has dramatically improved their facilities, while Idaho has only done some cosmetics. The university and boosters in Boise committed to the success of the move, while Idaho has only watched. Two totally different mind sets. What is interesting is if U of I really committed I believe they could have competed much better; they may have dug a hole regarding their perception that they cannot ever get out????

U of I has so many engineering and lawyer alum throughout Idaho it is really a shame the school did not have a good plan to follow. There is money waiting to be spent on something worthwhile. U of I grads have a lot of pride and want success, but their leadership has done nothing to show them.

 

[RobGriz]

RobGriz: I was just bringing so facts to the discussion...no more, no less. UM could compete in the right FBS league...as finances and facilities improved so could success. The difference I see between those who moved up and are succeeding and those who aren't is what the schools did with their commitment. BSU has dramatically improved their facilities, while Idaho has only done some cosmetics. The university and boosters in Boise committed to the success of the move, while Idaho has only watched. Two totally different mind sets. What is interesting is if U of I really committed I believe they could have competed much better; they may have dug a hole regarding their perception that they cannot ever get out????

U of I has so many engineering and lawyer alum throughout Idaho it is really a shame the school did not have a good plan to follow. There is money waiting to be spent on something worthwhile. U of I grads have a lot of pride and want success, but their leadership has done nothing to show them.

Gotcha.

 

[KingsValleyGriz]

Interesting reading that BillingsGaz article. So a few years after that article that suggest we build an academic center, up grade training facilities and offices, UM just happens to be doing this? Could be a coincident, but really?

Yes maybe UM needed to update locker rooms and what not as it had been years. But I would imagine that could have been done for far less than the 7 million the Washigton family donated.

Again I say why spend all this money just to compete against the rest of the BSC. One could say it will make the rest of the BSC improve as they will want to keep up. But in reality most of the BSC will be years and Years away from what UM is looking to do.

I think there is more in the works than many of us even know. I can only hope that UM is positioning itself to make a move when the time comes.

If Carl Benson and the SBC comes calling I think UM and MSU had better be ready to act.

I think the current Power 5 playoffs is a testing ground and will only expand in the next few years and the no name bowls go away or maybe they start to sponsor comp championship games and playoff games.

 

[AZGrizFan]

RobGriz: I was just bringing so facts to the discussion...no more, no less. UM could compete in the right FBS league...as finances and facilities improved so could success. The difference I see between those who moved up and are succeeding and those who aren't is what the schools did with their commitment. BSU has dramatically improved their facilities, while Idaho has only done some cosmetics. The university and boosters in Boise committed to the success of the move, while Idaho has only watched. Two totally different mind sets. What is interesting is if U of I really committed I believe they could have competed much better; they may have dug a hole regarding their perception that they cannot ever get out????

U of I has so many engineering and lawyer alum throughout Idaho it is really a shame the school did not have a good plan to follow. There is money waiting to be spent on something worthwhile. U of I grads have a lot of pride and want success, but their leadership has done nothing to show them.

I'm a U of I grad and I want the school to go away. :twisted: :twisted:

 

[GrizzGriz]

RobGriz: I was just bringing so facts to the discussion...no more, no less. UM could compete in the right FBS league...as finances and facilities improved so could success. The difference I see between those who moved up and are succeeding and those who aren't is what the schools did with their commitment. BSU has dramatically improved their facilities, while Idaho has only done some cosmetics. The university and boosters in Boise committed to the success of the move, while Idaho has only watched. Two totally different mind sets. What is interesting is if U of I really committed I believe they could have competed much better; they may have dug a hole regarding their perception that they cannot ever get out????

U of I has so many engineering and lawyer alum throughout Idaho it is really a shame the school did not have a good plan to follow. There is money waiting to be spent on something worthwhile. U of I grads have a lot of pride and want success, but their leadership has done nothing to show them.

I'm a U of I grad and I want the school to go away. :twisted: :twisted:

Ouch...I'm an ISU grad and even don't want that!!

 

[statler & waldorf]

It's pretty hard to argue with Boise State's success - even for the Flat Earthers who swoon over the mythical purity of the FCS come one-come all playoff routine. Truth be known, I will always love the Griz but my respect is reserved for Boise State and the folks there who two decades ago said "Why not?, instead of "Why?"

For every Boise there are Idaho's, and you really want to win the


DUCK COMMANDER Bowel

please have some class.

4 times Boise state supporters killed idaho's chances of being in a better conference. In '63 Idaho resisted the big sky but ISU and bsc supporters forced them to go to the sky after being kicked out of pic. 10 years of wandering in the wilderness as a university division school in a college division conference and Idaho had an opportunity and support lined up to return to a university division conference, but a last minute disclosure of too many scholarships in anticipation of the move doomed the approval. Another 9 years, another chance squashed by bsu (no longer a college). 1991 and Reno is leaving and Idaho still has a chance but bsu isn't ready or willing, and the regents kill it again.

Finally Denison proposes a reduction in scholarships to 35 as a cost savings and even Boise supporters see the writing on the wall, and decide the time is right to move up, and Idaho is finally free. Idaho is the better team for a couple years but can't compete with the money and political power base in Boise in the long term.

I doubt there are any parallels between what we saw in Idaho and the political dynamics in the montana board of regents with respect to programs and favoritism. I just hope when msu moves up they won't turn their back on the rivalry like bsu did.

Good history summary. In Idaho, Boise is everything. Half a million people in the Treasure Valley out of 2 million in the whole state. There is the political power. The rest of the state gets leftovers. Having lived there a long time, I can't say Boise without spitting afterwards.

 

[GrizzGriz]

It's pretty hard to argue with Boise State's success - even for the Flat Earthers who swoon over the mythical purity of the FCS come one-come all playoff routine. Truth be known, I will always love the Griz but my respect is reserved for Boise State and the folks there who two decades ago said "Why not?, instead of "Why?"

For every Boise there are Idaho's, and you really want to win the


DUCK COMMANDER Bowel

please have some class.

4 times Boise state supporters killed idaho's chances of being in a better conference. In '63 Idaho resisted the big sky but ISU and bsc supporters forced them to go to the sky after being kicked out of pic. 10 years of wandering in the wilderness as a university division school in a college division conference and Idaho had an opportunity and support lined up to return to a university division conference, but a last minute disclosure of too many scholarships in anticipation of the move doomed the approval. Another 9 years, another chance squashed by bsu (no longer a college). 1991 and Reno is leaving and Idaho still has a chance but bsu isn't ready or willing, and the regents kill it again.

Finally Denison proposes a reduction in scholarships to 35 as a cost savings and even Boise supporters see the writing on the wall, and decide the time is right to move up, and Idaho is finally free. Idaho is the better team for a couple years but can't compete with the money and political power base in Boise in the long term.

I doubt there are any parallels between what we saw in Idaho and the political dynamics in the montana board of regents with respect to programs and favoritism. I just hope when msu moves up they won't turn their back on the rivalry like bsu did.

Good history summary. In Idaho, Boise is everything. Half a million people in the Treasure Valley out of 2 million in the whole state. There is the political power. The rest of the state gets leftovers. Having lived there a long time, I can't say Boise without spitting afterwards.

Here is what I found regarding Idaho's State Board of Education and funding for intercollegiate athletics; the first amount is for 2013, the second amount is for 2014. I'm not seeing the "left overs" your mention. BSU, UI and ISU each get $2.5 million and then addition funds for Title IX.
FY 2013 vs. FY 2014 General Fund limits:
FY 2013 FY 2014
1) General Funds for Athletics:
a) Universities $2,424,400 $2,515,800
b) Lewis-Clark State College $ 901,300 $ 935,300
2) General Funds for Gender Equity:
a) Boise State University $1,069,372 $1,109,700
b) Idaho State University $ 707,700 $ 734,400
c) University of Idaho $ 926,660 $ 961,600
d) Lewis-Clark State College $ 0 $ 0

Looks like the SBE gives each school nearly identical funds for athletics.

 

[UNDfan]

http://missoulian.com/college/griz/speltz-big-sky-s-commish-eyes-change/article_921c10a0-1ab4-11e4-8876-001a4bcf887a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They need the money and the big FBS schools need the win to support their bowl (hopes).”

Here’s the real kicker when it comes to the straight-talking Fullerton: He has this idea to cut the next big crises off at the pass by dividing the ever-growing Big Sky into two leagues – one playing football on the FBS level and one in the FCS. The unprecedented move would appease the ambitious and solve some ongoing Big Sky scheduling problems in multiple sports.

“Last time I put it out there it was uncomfortable because the presidents in the room, they’re thinking, ‘That means you stay in the FCS, you go to FBS,’” Fullerton said. “That was uncomfortable for them. But I have to get them past that. I do.”

The commish calls it the next “big elephant in the room,” and he’d rather talk about it now than have league members decide on their own that it’s time to go FBS.

Whether you like the idea or not, it’s nice to know the Big Sky’s Bitterroot connection will never be caught turning a blind eye to change.

Fullerton only had the balls to say that because he had Griz backing. The Griz and Idaho decided after the WAC debacle that they would form their own FBS league, not attempt to get in the MWC. If the MWC exands, will be in Texas, not in Montana.

Idaho will need an FBS home by 2018, when they will be kicked out of the Sun Belt. Idaho does not want to lose FBS status, and will get an hardship rule from the NCAA to start a new FBS league if the teams are ready.

These are the Big Sky teams that want FBS:
Montana
Mt St
EWU
Portland St
Sac St
UC Davis
Cal Poly
No Dakota

Idaho will move their FBS program in if they get NCAA approval for the Big Sky to go FBS. THe NCAA would have a antitrust suit if Idaho can't stay FBS.

Other schools that would be interested are:
NDSU
SDSU
USD
NMSU = if they don't get full membership in the Sun Belt

The rest of the Big Sky would be sent packing to the WAC:

Idaho sT
wEBER sT
unc
SUU
NAU

Portland St just hired the assoc AD from Miani O to right their ship.
UCDavis, Cal Poly, and EWU are fundraising for expanded stadiums.
UND is building phase I of an indoor practice facility, and may remodel Memorial.
USD is building a new arena, so their dome will be reconfigured to fit 16000.
SDSU is building a stadium addition and finished an IPF.
Montana still has to add another women's sport.
MSU needs to add two sports.

A BIg Sky FBS is happening, whether Griz fans see it or not. All of Montana's projects are on schedule per the FBS timetable. The FBS transition will start with the 2018 season. All the the Big Sky FBS wannabes have to have 15,000 seating capacity for the 2019 year. Tickets can be purchased by the schools foundation at one 1/3 the price if the attendance goals aren't met.

Montana and Idaho want a regional FBS league that isn't a financial backbreaker. The Big Sky will likely get new bowls in Seattle, Minneapolis, and maybe the Bay Area, as well as be an invitee to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. ESPN or even FS1 want more bowls, as they bring in good ratings. When the CFP s expand to 8 or 16, the money will be unreal. The Big Sky wants a part of that. Instead of $1 mill / G5 team, it could be $3-4 million, although the Big Sky wouldn't be eligible until the next contract is signed. With bigger FBS payouts and bowl money, it would still be worth more to the Big Sky FBS schools than FCS playoffs, which most schools lose money.

 

[kemajic]

http://missoulian.com/college/griz/speltz-big-sky-s-commish-eyes-change/article_921c10a0-1ab4-11e4-8876-001a4bcf887a.html

They need the money and the big FBS schools need the win to support their bowl (hopes).”

Here’s the real kicker when it comes to the straight-talking Fullerton: He has this idea to cut the next big crises off at the pass by dividing the ever-growing Big Sky into two leagues – one playing football on the FBS level and one in the FCS. The unprecedented move would appease the ambitious and solve some ongoing Big Sky scheduling problems in multiple sports.

“Last time I put it out there it was uncomfortable because the presidents in the room, they’re thinking, ‘That means you stay in the FCS, you go to FBS,’” Fullerton said. “That was uncomfortable for them. But I have to get them past that. I do.”

The commish calls it the next “big elephant in the room,” and he’d rather talk about it now than have league members decide on their own that it’s time to go FBS.

Whether you like the idea or not, it’s nice to know the Big Sky’s Bitterroot connection will never be caught turning a blind eye to change.

Fullerton only had the balls to say that because he had Griz backing. The Griz and Idaho decided after the WAC debacle that they would form their own FBS league, not attempt to get in the MWC. If the MWC exands, will be in Texas, not in Montana.

Idaho will need an FBS home by 2018, when they will be kicked out of the Sun Belt. Idaho does not want to lose FBS status, and will get an hardship rule from the NCAA to start a new FBS league if the teams are ready.

These are the Big Sky teams that want FBS:
Montana
Mt St
EWU
Portland St
Sac St
UC Davis
Cal Poly
No Dakota

Idaho will move their FBS program in if they get NCAA approval for the Big Sky to go FBS. THe NCAA would have a antitrust suit if Idaho can't stay FBS.

Other schools that would be interested are:
NDSU
SDSU
USD
NMSU = if they don't get full membership in the Sun Belt

The rest of the Big Sky would be sent packing to the WAC:

Idaho sT
wEBER sT
unc
SUU
NAU

Portland St just hired the assoc AD from Miani O to right their ship.
UCDavis, Cal Poly, and EWU are fundraising for expanded stadiums.
UND is building phase I of an indoor practice facility, and may remodel Memorial.
USD is building a new arena, so their dome will be reconfigured to fit 16000.
SDSU is building a stadium addition and finished an IPF.
Montana still has to add another women's sport.
MSU needs to add two sports.

A BIg Sky FBS is happening, whether Griz fans see it or not. All of Montana's projects are on schedule per the FBS timetable. The FBS transition will start with the 2018 season. All the the Big Sky FBS wannabes have to have 15,000 seating capacity for the 2019 year. Tickets can be purchased by the schools foundation at one 1/3 the price if the attendance goals aren't met.

Montana and Idaho want a regional FBS league that isn't a financial backbreaker. The Big Sky will likely get new bowls in Seattle, Minneapolis, and maybe the Bay Area, as well as be an invitee to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. ESPN or even FS1 want more bowls, as they bring in good ratings. When the CFP s expand to 8 or 16, the money will be unreal. The Big Sky wants a part of that. Instead of $1 mill / G5 team, it could be $3-4 million, although the Big Sky wouldn't be eligible until the next contract is signed. With bigger FBS payouts and bowl money, it would still be worth more to the Big Sky FBS schools than FCS playoffs, which most schools lose money.

"Straight-talking" and Fullerton should never be mentioned in the same sentence.

Your "of interest" list contains some very weak programs. PSU seems closer to dropping football than moving up to FBS.

I do know for a fact that UM AD Kent Haslam is not short of booster support to find a way to renew the Montana/Idaho rivalry. Do you have any links or references to support your contention?

 

[Potomac Griz]

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.

And there's no proof we'll continue to be successful at this level. That's how the game works. Yes, UMass in terms of wins/losses has been pretty damn bad. So has Idaho. Georgia Southern, App State, Boise have not. Lots of former FCS teams that are bad and lots of former FCS teams that are good.

Second I was referring to win/loss record. There is no trophy for attendance.

You said the Sun Belt is full of Idahos... If you were referring to win/loss record then you still incorrect. I figured you were referring to attendance. 3 teams from the Sun Belt are in bowl games his year. There are bad teams in the Sun Belt just like there are bad teams in the Big Sky. Saying the Sun Belt is full of Idahos is like saying the Big Sky is full of Northern Colorados then tossing out UC Davis, Weber and Portland State as examples.

Third preferring playoff football and the atmosphere at WaGriz during the playoffs to a bowl game does not make me a bad fan.

Never said it made you or anyone a bad fan. Don't get your jimmies rustled man it's just a different opinion

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?

I don't think the Griz would be top of the MWC at all. I don't think we'd be at the bottom though either. I think with the awesome atmosphere here, winning tradition and well...Missoula is a hell of a neat college town we'd gradually improve to where we were very competitive in the MWC and maybe end up eventually one of the top teams.

As for bashing on the Big Sky? Most of my actual bashing on the Big Sky (or Big Sigh for basketball) has to do with basketball where the Big Sky is one of the worst conferences in the country EVERY year with the large majority of teams not even cracking the top 200 for RPI at the end of the season.

Occasionally we'll have one or two teams in the top 100 (usually Montana or Weber). Even if a Big Sky team has an incredible out of conference season like the Griz did in 2005-2006 crushing Stanford, bitchslapping multiple WCC teams and going 10-2 out of conference, once conference starts the RPI (used heavily for NCAA seeding) goes in the toilet since they have to play multiple teams that are 250+ in RPI, with some being worse than 300 even... It's sad when wins drop your RPI significantly.

For football? I know the ewu trolls will be all over this like an eagle fan on a dropped bag of meth, but the Big Sky's strength over the years has been because of Montana. Montana had become what Boise once was to the Big Sky. Since Montana has been a bit down the past few years the Big Sky is not viewed as as strong of a conference anymore. If the Griz get back to the Hauck era days of dominating the Big Sky and deep runs in the playoffs often then the Big Sky will regain it's strength & respect in my opinion. Sure we have EWU who has picked up the slack a bit but we know their time at the top is limited. Plus how often do teams that don't play defense win championships?

Look, I'm not going to be pissed, distraught, sell my season tickets, swear off the Griz for life and become a Cat fan because we don't move up. I'd like to see us move up especially if the MWC invited though. My main point earlier was it's flawed logic to bash the bowl games and bash other conferences when they are playing with the big boys (FBS) for football & getting actual TV contracts, money and attention in bowl games...we are not. We play, at best, in the FCS playoffs (which I love too btw) which garners little attention outside fanatic FCS fan bases such as ours.

All that said, my opinion on this and your opinion on this carry equal weight with what happens. Very little to none

 

[Potomac Griz]

Idaho will need an FBS home by 2018, when they will be kicked out of the Sun Belt. Idaho does not want to lose FBS status, and will get an hardship rule from the NCAA to start a new FBS league if the teams are ready.

These are the Big Sky teams that want FBS:
Montana
Mt St
EWU
Portland St
Sac St
UC Davis
Cal Poly
No Dakota

Idaho will move their FBS program in if they get NCAA approval for the Big Sky to go FBS. THe NCAA would have a antitrust suit if Idaho can't stay FBS.

Other schools that would be interested are:
NDSU
SDSU
USD
NMSU = if they don't get full membership in the Sun Belt

The rest of the Big Sky would be sent packing to the WAC:

Idaho sT
wEBER sT
unc
SUU
NAU

UNDFan - What do you think this will do to the basketball teams in the conference? Do you mean Weber be off to the WAC for basketball? Would NDSU join the Big Sky for basketball or would it stay in the better rated Summit league for basketball?

Right now the Big Sky is awful in basketball every year with the exception usually of Weber and/or Montana. Sometimes it's another team (maybe EWU this year?) but consistently it's just those two. UND has picked things up recently but after losing basically their entire starting lineup who knows where they'll be this year.

We have so many down in the dumpster teams in this conference for basketball booting a team like Weber who actually has national recognition and recruits very high level talent (Lillard, Otis, Berry, etc) would make the basketball conference even more of a joke than it already is

So that has me a bit worried if what you said above is how it may play out.

 

[GrizLA]

All of this speculation is interesting but all you are misjudging the entire picture of college athletics. Your idea is that by moving up there will be greater completion and more money and to that I say NOT Guaranteed. Television, according to my many friends in the business is moving quickly to pay to play. How many people outside of Western Montana will pay to watch Montana vs. New Mexico State? This financial windfall you all seem to see is temporary and now, with the incredible salary given to Harbaugh at Michigan, even in sports mad LA, people are quietly talking of how college sports are moving toward something new and I don't see or hear much defense of that. I think, apart from the top teams in the top conferences, there will be more movement to either follow UAB and drop football, or de emphasize it. UM is in a good place now. The world is changing and UM might just be the benefitted the most in comparison to its peer institutions.

 

[GrizGuy]

The game is still meaningless to me. The payday is probably meaningless to the players because they'll certainly never see any of it. Obviously it would be nice to have a shot at that payday. And that's one reason that I moved from "stay put" to "move up" as long as we wind up in an appropriate conference.

Go Griz!

 

[UNDfan]

Idaho will need an FBS home by 2018, when they will be kicked out of the Sun Belt. Idaho does not want to lose FBS status, and will get an hardship rule from the NCAA to start a new FBS league if the teams are ready.

These are the Big Sky teams that want FBS:
Montana
Mt St
EWU
Portland St
Sac St
UC Davis
Cal Poly
No Dakota

Idaho will move their FBS program in if they get NCAA approval for the Big Sky to go FBS. THe NCAA would have a antitrust suit if Idaho can't stay FBS.

Other schools that would be interested are:
NDSU
SDSU
USD
NMSU = if they don't get full membership in the Sun Belt

The rest of the Big Sky would be sent packing to the WAC:

Idaho sT
wEBER sT
unc
SUU
NAU

UNDFan - What do you think this will do to the basketball teams in the conference? Do you mean Weber be off to the WAC for basketball? Would NDSU join the Big Sky for basketball or would it stay in the better rated Summit league for basketball?

Right now the Big Sky is awful in basketball every year with the exception usually of Weber and/or Montana. Sometimes it's another team (maybe EWU this year?) but consistently it's just those two. UND has picked things up recently but after losing basically their entire starting lineup who knows where they'll be this year.

We have so many down in the dumpster teams in this conference for basketball booting a team like Weber who actually has national recognition and recruits very high level talent (Lillard, Otis, Berry, etc) would make the basketball conference even more of a joke than it already is

So that has me a bit worried if what you said above is how it may play out.

The WAC will be a very nice conference when all is said and done.

Going down I-15
Idaho St
Weber St
UVU
SUU
maybe Dixie St
Bakersfield
NAU
Grand Canyon
then Seattle
maybe W Washingotn
Northern Colorado
maybe Denver

The Big Sky and WAC have been putting the squeeze on the Summit for years. The Summit only survived as a conference because Oral Roberts came back and brought baseball. THe Summit would have been dead without that move, as baseball is one of two sponsored team sports that must have six teams so the basketball autobid stays. UND or UNC could have brought their baseball teams in instead of the WAC, but they didn't. The Summit needs to sponsor six teams in both men's soccer and men's baseball, because they don't have football, to keep their men's basketball autobid. Right now they are dangerously close to the edge:

Summit Baseball:
NDSU
SDSU
Omaha
Oral Roberts
IUPUI
W Ill

THe Horizon is also struggling to meet the standard, and they too only have six baseball teams.

If either the MVC or Horizon poaches a team from the Summit, its all over for the Summit. The Summit would have to break up. Moreover, despite the success of NDSU football, no FBS conference would invite them. For them and SDSU, its either get on the Big Sky FBS bandwagon, or bust.

THe WAC got UMKC to jump over in an attempt to dismantle the Summit, freeing up NDSU, SDSU, and USD to the Big Sky. If Oral Roberts hadn't come back, the Summit would have been kaput, as the Summit two year grace period for baseball was about to run out. ORU also has men's soccer, which the Summit needs more teams. Denver left the WAC because it didn't want any part of the Big Sky - WAC shananigans. By joining the Summit, it actually became an impediment to a Big Sky FBS league from happening.

Weber St will do fine, but it can't politically move to FBS without getting in trouble with the Utah Legislature. They would be running away from UVU, SUU, and maybe Dixie St, and challenging USU and BYU in football. That would be unacceptable.

If UCDavis and Cal Poly go FBS, they will probably join the Big Sky full time, as an FBS league has to have 8 full time members. The new FBS Big Sky would probably go to divisions, with the Montana's and Dakota's in the east, and the Cali schools, PSU. EWU, and Idaho in the west. For football, they would probably be a championship game, which a network would pay a princely sum to broadcast.

 

[UNDfan]

All of this speculation is interesting but all you are misjudging the entire picture of college athletics. Your idea is that by moving up there will be greater completion and more money and to that I say NOT Guaranteed. Television, according to my many friends in the business is moving quickly to pay to play. How many people outside of Western Montana will pay to watch Montana vs. New Mexico State? This financial windfall you all seem to see is temporary and now, with the incredible salary given to Harbaugh at Michigan, even in sports mad LA, people are quietly talking of how college sports are moving toward something new and I don't see or hear much defense of that. I think, apart from the top teams in the top conferences, there will be more movement to either follow UAB and drop football, or de emphasize it. UM is in a good place now. The world is changing and UM might just be the benefitted the most in comparison to its peer institutions.

Montana vs NMSU if it is an FCS game, the rest of the nation wouldn't watch. As an FBS game, some would. Hasn't Washington-Griz Stadium gotten lights now. When you go FBS, they'll be weekday night games.

UAB s dropping football was all the President's fault. He cowered to Bear Bryant Jr, who hated UAB football ever since UABs athletic director said the Tides basketball program was crooked and cheated. Bear Bryant Jr is retiring from the UA Board of Regent and the was his final gift, the crooked man that he is.