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

[Fahque]

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.

As opposed to what? Them paying to watch a Montana vs Northern Colorado match up? I'd bet more would pay to watch the better match up w/ NMS than a match up w/ NC or other nobodies we play now.

 

[UNDfan]

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?

If Fullerton was B.S. ing, statements like that would have gotten him fired. He obviously has support among some Presidents for his FBS intentions. He's made FBS references in the past, and no President has ever repudiated him.

Idaho would not have gone back to the Big Sky unless their was some backdoor deal to stay FBS. Montana is tied to MSU. EWU will make out like bandits with Griz, Vandal, and Kitty attendees: its their chance. California schools will never make a go of FCS in a pro state: FCS doesn't work in metro areas. FBS does. Sac St, UCDavis, Cal Poly, and PSU have to go FBS to have a chance to make football work. Otherwise drop it or go non-scholarship.

SDSU and NDSU have the facilities to go FBS. UND will. The former UND women's basketball coach, who is not known for b.s., stated that UND will be in an FBS conference soon (within this decade). I take him at his word.

 

[Fahque]

You do know that Idaho's football team didn't come back to the BSC right?

 

[BoiseState80]

I know this may sound weird but I believe Montana would be a better FBS fit than NDSU. I realize that NDSU has had some success against FBS teams but it's another story playing them every week. I think Montana would be easier to draw recruits to come play. NDSU is in more of a BIG12 and BIG10 area and they aren't going to get those recruits. They are much closer to their ceiling than Montana. Montana on the other hand could pick up a few of the NDSU top players(players that have the talent for FBS but chose FCS for one reason or another). Montana could also keep FBS in- state talent and recruit in northern Idaho. When Boise State and Idaho still played and before BSUs latest run of dominance, Idaho could usually count on landing most the kids in the Coeurdalene area. These kids don't want to play for Idaho, they either come to Boise or leave the state. Montana would have a good shot at these kids IMHO.

 

[UNDfan]

You do know that Idaho's football team didn't come back to the BSC right?

Duh!!

The time of the WAC breakup was the worst possible financial times. California, Oregon, and Wash schools were in a financial crises. The Big Sky only had two teams that were remotely capable at the time: the Griz and the Cats. Every other school needed four or five years to get ready for FBS. So Idaho got a deal to park themselves in the Sun Belt, which they hated, because they were in the Sun Belt before for football, and it almost destroyed their football.

Idaho needs a regional FBS league with similar schools and budgets. The Upper Tier of the Big Sky has the only schools that meet the criteria. Boise St, Nevada, and Utah State have too big of budgets for them to compete. How is Idaho supposed to improve its facilities when much of its funding goes for costs. The fan base and advertisers in Idaho don't want to be stuck in the Sun Belt: there is no incentive to give for facilities if their stuck in a far off league. Renewal of the Montana rivalries and one with EWU is just what the Dr ordered. Interest will skyrocket when the Vandals and Big Sky teams are reunited under an FBS banner.

 

[UNDfan]

I know this may sound weird but I believe Montana would be a better FBS fit than NDSU. I realize that NDSU has had some success against FBS teams but it's another story playing them every week. I think Montana would be easier to draw recruits to come play. NDSU is in more of a BIG12 and BIG10 area and they aren't going to get those recruits. They are much closer to their ceiling than Montana. Montana on the other hand could pick up a few of the NDSU top players(players that have the talent for FBS but chose FCS for one reason or another). Montana could also keep FBS in- state talent and recruit in northern Idaho. When Boise State and Idaho still played and before BSUs latest run of dominance, Idaho could usually count on landing most the kids in the Coeurdalene area. These kids don't want to play for Idaho, they either come to Boise or leave the state. Montana would have a good shot at these kids IMHO.

NDSU has really benefitted from the three hour drive to the Twin Cites. Poor coaches at Minnesota made bad recruiting decisions, which directly benefitted NDSU. Now with Kill at Minnesota, NDSU is not getting FBS type players like they did five or six years ago from Minnesota and Wisconsin. NDSU owes a couple of the FCS title to Minnesota's coaches for their poor recruiting judgements. Several of the NDSU players have gone on to pro careers. Former Gopher Coach Brewster missed on several NDSU players, because apparently he didn't think Minnesota players could cut it in the BIG.

 

[BoiseState80]

Very interesting. I love to learn about the history of different successful programs and how they got there.

 

[MsMaroon]

:arrow:

 

[EverettGriz]

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.

:shock:

200?!??!? Last year at one point we had 7 under THREE HUNDRED (with a couple more pushing that line). Mind you, there's only 340 DI BB teams. So the bsc (can't capitalize it; doesn't deserve it) had SEVEN of the worst 40 teams in the nation, and nine of the worst 50. UM has no business being in a conference like that. No matter WHAT the sport.

 

[Bison Dan]

Very interesting. I love to learn about the history of different successful programs and how they got there.

If you do don't believe what any UND fan will tell you about NDSU. There are around 6 FCS schools that recruit the Twin Cities that had the same chance at those recruits including UND. We have 6 or more recruits this year that have FBS offers that have committed to NDSU. Different year same story. There's more to winning than just getting a great recruit. Player development, coaching, tradition and academics all play a part.

 

[ordigger]

top players(players that have the talent for FBS but chose FCS for one reason or another). Montana could also keep FBS in- state talent and recruit in northern Idaho. When Boise State and Idaho still played and before BSUs latest

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.

Weekday night games would be attendance deal breakers. The Grizzlies are a state supported program, not a city or even county supported program.....thousands of people would not be able to attend middle of the week games.

 

[ordigger]

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.

Not completely true. UMass had a long term vision that was dramatically impacted by the changing landscape of the NCAA, and specifically the demise of the Big East. Football was a major part of that plan, with the idea to develop some strong FBS rivalries.

 

[BoiseState80]

Very interesting. I love to learn about the history of different successful programs and how they got there.

If you do don't believe what any UND fan will tell you about NDSU. There are around 6 FCS schools that recruit the Twin Cities that had the same chance at those recruits including UND. We have 6 or more recruits this year that have FBS offers that have committed to NDSU. Different year same story. There's more to winning than just getting a great recruit. Player development, coaching, tradition and academics all play a part.

I completely agree with this. Look at schools like Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan. It must drive them crazy to have the athletic budgets they have and the 4 and 5 star recruits, only to be very average on the field as of late. Boise State has had their success from 2 and 3 star athletes with an occasional 4 star. Boise looks for specific personality types of kids that will buy into the system and not think they are all that. Some of the higher rated kids end up not making it in Boise because they think they are above the system and can break the rules. This usually ends up in a dismissal from the team or a transfer. Mid major programs like Boise really rely on player developmentband strength and conditioning. Boise can't compete every time with the upper half of the PAC 12 but we get a few and develop the rest. Sometimes the star rating system is all a bunch of hogwash anyway and the good coaches know what to look for thus coming across " diamonds in the rough" . Success breeds more success though when programs stay focused and this helps out Boise, NDSU, and Montana.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Last year Montana had more players drafted (1) than the University of Texas, despite all their 4 & 5 star athletes. I LOVE rubbing that into all the Longhorn faithful at my office...

 

[billings_poke]

Weekday night games would be attendance deal breakers. The Grizzlies are a state supported program, not a city or even county supported program.....thousands of people would not be able to attend middle of the week games.

Weeknight games hurt attendance in a lot of MWC stadiums and they destroy the tailgating atmosphere.

 

[Bisonation]

No, what's f***[*] dumb is to automatically assume we'd suck just because we move up a level. It's the standard response from the flat earthers...."you gonna support a 4-8 Griz team playing in front of a half-empty stadium?"

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?

And the "sharing in someone else's bowl payout" was merely an attempt to explain where part of the extra anticipated $3-$4 million to operate the AD would come from...

NDSU & Montana should be in mountain west. Let's make it happen


To the und fan haha holy wrong. NDSU has 6 kids turn down FBS offers this year PURDUE AIR FORCE 4 from Wyoming Army last year our QB TURNED DOWN RUTGERS

 

[MrTitleist]

Oh good, Lakesbison is here...

 

[AllWeatherFan]

Success is a double-edged sword, and the Bison may be victimized by their own success. The present coach (and staff) could be gone in short order.

 

[PlayerRep]

UMass completely miscalculated and missed important signs and trends. Don't know what they were thinking. Wonder how long it will take them to recover, if they ever do.

 

[polsongrizz]

Last year Montana had more players drafted (1) than the University of Texas, despite all their 4 & 5 star athletes. I LOVE rubbing that into all the Longhorn faithful at my office...

:thumb: