Conference realignment talks hit the Mountain West

[Griz til I die]

What would excite you?

Obviously playing the likes of UNC, SUU, Dixie State etc...idk about anyone else but I get way more excited when we play an fbs opponent and fcs opponents are usually bleh, unless it's a really good team and a close game. And it's funny how people always point to Idaho's failures at fbs when there have been plenty of successful move ups. People are just scared of change and can't find their ball sack. FBS is the way to go, unless you want to continue being irrelevant. I can tell you right now, any lower tier fbs teams are looked higher upon than any of the best fcs teams and it's not even close.

It's not that people are scared of change, it's that we want to play for something meaningful and IMO a national championship is more meaningful than a bowl game even if it is in the FCS. I've said this time and time again as soon as the G5 gets a playoff system let's go, because that's just all of our old friends from the FCS and I actually think we would be able to compete quite well. Let me pose this question to you. Let's say the Griz moved up next year and joined the Mountain West, and say for example we're going 8-4 or 9-3 consistently each year and the best we can do is keep qualifying for the Las Vegas Bowl. Do you think some season ticket holders are gonna start to lose interest and not renew? Because I think they will. The fans like making deep playoff runs and competing for a championship. You would think UM would want to keep people happy so they can continue to have a high amount of season ticket holders and QB club members. Let's see how the rest of this conference realignment plays out. We don't need to make any rash decisions right now. This will sort itself out and we will see if it gets to a point where the G5 does split off and goes it's separate way.

 

[Griz til I die]

https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1443943863148757013?s=20

And the Mountain West survives this round of conference realignment. What small glimmer of hope the cats and Griz had to get an invite is now gone, at least for the next couple of years.

 

[kemajic]

Obviously playing the likes of UNC, SUU, Dixie State etc...idk about anyone else but I get way more excited when we play an fbs opponent and fcs opponents are usually bleh, unless it's a really good team and a close game. And it's funny how people always point to Idaho's failures at fbs when there have been plenty of successful move ups. People are just scared of change and can't find their ball sack. FBS is the way to go, unless you want to continue being irrelevant. I can tell you right now, any lower tier fbs teams are looked higher upon than any of the best fcs teams and it's not even close.

It's not that people are scared of change, it's that we want to play for something meaningful and IMO a national championship is more meaningful than a bowl game even if it is in the FCS. I've said this time and time again as soon as the G5 gets a playoff system let's go, because that's just all of our old friends from the FCS and I actually think we would be able to compete quite well. Let me pose this question to you. Let's say the Griz moved up next year and joined the Mountain West, and say for example we're going 8-4 or 9-3 consistently each year and the best we can do is keep qualifying for the Las Vegas Bowl. Do you think some season ticket holders are gonna start to lose interest and not renew? Because I think they will. The fans like making deep playoff runs and competing for a championship. You would think UM would want to keep people happy so they can continue to have a high amount of season ticket holders and QB club members. Let's see how the rest of this conference realignment plays out. We don't need to make any rash decisions right now. This will sort itself out and we will see if it gets to a point where the G5 does split off and goes it's separate way.

You are underestimating how much more interesting it would be for fans to have BSU, USU, Wyoming and CSU coming into WG than Dixie St., SUU, UNC, N. AL, and Butler. You are also overestimating how interesting it is to see teams you have never heard of in the FCS playoffs; the attendance figures speak for themselves.

 

[kemajic]

https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1443943863148757013?s=20

And the Mountain West survives this round of conference realignment. What small glimmer of hope the cats and Griz had to get an invite is now gone, at least for the next couple of years.

Many believe BSU is holding out for a Big 12 invite.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

It's not that people are scared of change, it's that we want to play for something meaningful and IMO a national championship is more meaningful than a bowl game even if it is in the FCS. I've said this time and time again as soon as the G5 gets a playoff system let's go, because that's just all of our old friends from the FCS and I actually think we would be able to compete quite well. Let me pose this question to you. Let's say the Griz moved up next year and joined the Mountain West, and say for example we're going 8-4 or 9-3 consistently each year and the best we can do is keep qualifying for the Las Vegas Bowl. Do you think some season ticket holders are gonna start to lose interest and not renew? Because I think they will. The fans like making deep playoff runs and competing for a championship. You would think UM would want to keep people happy so they can continue to have a high amount of season ticket holders and QB club members. Let's see how the rest of this conference realignment plays out. We don't need to make any rash decisions right now. This will sort itself out and we will see if it gets to a point where the G5 does split off and goes it's separate way.

You are underestimating how much more interesting it would be for fans to have BSU, USU, Wyoming and CSU coming into WG than Dixie St., SUU, UNC, N. AL, and Butler. You are also overestimating how interesting it is to see teams you have never heard of in the FCS playoffs; the attendance figures speak for themselves.

I don't disagree. I'm truly on the fence on this because I definitely can see both sides. I'd be really interested to read the opinions of of App State/Boise/Marshall/Coastal fans on whether they are happy with their moves. Boise was too long ago, and I doubt any App State fans come around these parts anymore. Are the Mountaineer faithful wishing they would have never made the leap, or are they happy even though they aren't making the CFP anytime soon? Have these programs experienced drops in FB attendance?

And for those who think we couldn't be like those programs at the next level, why the hell not?

 

[Yukon]

You are underestimating how much more interesting it would be for fans to have BSU, USU, Wyoming and CSU coming into WG than Dixie St., SUU, UNC, N. AL, and Butler. You are also overestimating how interesting it is to see teams you have never heard of in the FCS playoffs; the attendance figures speak for themselves.

I don't disagree. I'm truly on the fence on this because I definitely can see both sides. I'd be really interested to read the opinions of of App State/Boise/Marshall/Coastal fans on whether they are happy with their moves. Boise was too long ago, and I doubt any App State fans come around these parts anymore. Are the Mountaineer faithful wishing they would have never made the leap, or are they happy even though they aren't making the CFP anytime soon? Have these programs experienced drops in FB attendance?

And for those who think we couldn't be like those programs at the next level, why the hell not?

App St has more fans. In the middle stadium expansion:

https://www.appstate.edu/appalachians-future/building-physical-infrastructure/stadium/

 

[Griz til I die]

And the Mountain West survives this round of conference realignment. What small glimmer of hope the cats and Griz had to get an invite is now gone, at least for the next couple of years.

Many believe BSU is holding out for a Big 12 invite.

Ya I think they are too, but I don't think it's coming anytime soon. The Big 12 will have 14 teams when UCF, Cincinnati, Houston, and BYU join in 2023 and Texas and Oklahoma would still be in the conference until 2025. For the time being, I think they're gonna stop where they are at and then make more additions when they get closer to 2025 after Texas and Oklahoma are gone.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

Obviously playing the likes of UNC, SUU, Dixie State etc...idk about anyone else but I get way more excited when we play an fbs opponent and fcs opponents are usually bleh, unless it's a really good team and a close game. And it's funny how people always point to Idaho's failures at fbs when there have been plenty of successful move ups. People are just scared of change and can't find their ball sack. FBS is the way to go, unless you want to continue being irrelevant. I can tell you right now, any lower tier fbs teams are looked higher upon than any of the best fcs teams and it's not even close.

It's not that people are scared of change, it's that we want to play for something meaningful and IMO a national championship is more meaningful than a bowl game even if it is in the FCS. I've said this time and time again as soon as the G5 gets a playoff system let's go, because that's just all of our old friends from the FCS and I actually think we would be able to compete quite well. Let me pose this question to you. Let's say the Griz moved up next year and joined the Mountain West, and say for example we're going 8-4 or 9-3 consistently each year and the best we can do is keep qualifying for the Las Vegas Bowl. Do you think some season ticket holders are gonna start to lose interest and not renew? Because I think they will. The fans like making deep playoff runs and competing for a championship. You would think UM would want to keep people happy so they can continue to have a high amount of season ticket holders and QB club members. Let's see how the rest of this conference realignment plays out. We don't need to make any rash decisions right now. This will sort itself out and we will see if it gets to a point where the G5 does split off and goes it's separate way.

Well than, I don't want to see anymore posters bitch about everything else FCS and still stand by the notion that UM should stay because of the playoffs. FCS is what it is and it isn't about to change, so if you are all in on the playoffs, quit bitching about Cheney and Greeley.

 

[Griz til I die]

It's not that people are scared of change, it's that we want to play for something meaningful and IMO a national championship is more meaningful than a bowl game even if it is in the FCS. I've said this time and time again as soon as the G5 gets a playoff system let's go, because that's just all of our old friends from the FCS and I actually think we would be able to compete quite well. Let me pose this question to you. Let's say the Griz moved up next year and joined the Mountain West, and say for example we're going 8-4 or 9-3 consistently each year and the best we can do is keep qualifying for the Las Vegas Bowl. Do you think some season ticket holders are gonna start to lose interest and not renew? Because I think they will. The fans like making deep playoff runs and competing for a championship. You would think UM would want to keep people happy so they can continue to have a high amount of season ticket holders and QB club members. Let's see how the rest of this conference realignment plays out. We don't need to make any rash decisions right now. This will sort itself out and we will see if it gets to a point where the G5 does split off and goes it's separate way.

Well than, I don't want to see anymore posters bitch about everything else FCS and still stand by the notion that UM should stay because of the playoffs. FCS is what it is and it isn't about to change, so if you are all in on the playoffs, quit bitching about Cheney and Greeley.

Umm, I'm not one of those posters who ever has. I don't like Greely and Cheney, but I have never publicly voiced my displeasure for them on Egriz before. Plus I literally said I'm all for a move to the FBS when there is more to play for then one game. So don't worry, I won't be doing any bitching anytime soon. Maybe you could learn a thing or two since it seems like your the poster on this board who enjoys jumping down everyone else's throat. I can't even count how many times you've done it to me.

 

[SACCAT66]

Not sure this has been brought up or not, but here is another issue with moving up... Cost of Scholarships

FCS can have only 63 full scholarships... While FBS has 85. In FBS, you can't give partial scholarships, so that is an extra 22 scholarships that need to be paid for. If every kid on your 85 man team is from Montana you are looking at about $680,000 a year... If they are all from out of State you are looking at about $1.8MM a year... (This is just numbers I got off the Google Machine, and are the low and high side... So somewhere in the middle is the actual number)

You guys want an indoor facility, more bathrooms, more workers at concessions, more gates to get in... It really comes down to, can either school actually afford to move up. Maybe the amount you get from an FBS conference after splitting up bowl game money, and all the Broadcasting money at a bigger network deal, will cover all these expenses. Maybe bigger donors will get on board when you are playing bigger schools... These are all possible options to be able to cover the move up, but are also big gambles.

 

[AZGrizFan]

All teams have announced they are staying. Nobody's leaving.

This is all a moot point.

 

[Pounder]

Not sure this has been brought up or not, but here is another issue with moving up... Cost of Scholarships

FCS can have only 63 full scholarships... While FBS has 85. In FBS, you can't give partial scholarships, so that is an extra 22 scholarships that need to be paid for. If every kid on your 85 man team is from Montana you are looking at about $680,000 a year... If they are all from out of State you are looking at about $1.8MM a year... (This is just numbers I got off the Google Machine, and are the low and high side... So somewhere in the middle is the actual number)

You guys want an indoor facility, more bathrooms, more workers at concessions, more gates to get in... It really comes down to, can either school actually afford to move up. Maybe the amount you get from an FBS conference after splitting up bowl game money, and all the Broadcasting money at a bigger network deal, will cover all these expenses. Maybe bigger donors will get on board when you are playing bigger schools... These are all possible options to be able to cover the move up, but are also big gambles.

Please allow me to add some food for thought.

Boise State is where they are today because they got a few years in the Big West and a few years in the WAC, when the size of stadium and impact of program indicated they could have gone straight to the WAC. Don't forget that they got greedy after getting the Mountain West and nearly ended up in the Big East, and early on in the MWC, they'd pull out some big games and then lose the wrong 1 or 2 in conference.

In other words, they had time to build up crowds (especially after a disaster of 1996), resources, then carried on, instead of making the big splash right away. That they tried that later and failed is probably part of the lesson.

If you want FBS, that's why you go WAC first... if they want you. Never mind the TV market issue will always be a problem.

 

[Griz til I die]

Not sure this has been brought up or not, but here is another issue with moving up... Cost of Scholarships

FCS can have only 63 full scholarships... While FBS has 85. In FBS, you can't give partial scholarships, so that is an extra 22 scholarships that need to be paid for. If every kid on your 85 man team is from Montana you are looking at about $680,000 a year... If they are all from out of State you are looking at about $1.8MM a year... (This is just numbers I got off the Google Machine, and are the low and high side... So somewhere in the middle is the actual number)

You guys want an indoor facility, more bathrooms, more workers at concessions, more gates to get in... It really comes down to, can either school actually afford to move up. Maybe the amount you get from an FBS conference after splitting up bowl game money, and all the Broadcasting money at a bigger network deal, will cover all these expenses. Maybe bigger donors will get on board when you are playing bigger schools... These are all possible options to be able to cover the move up, but are also big gambles.

Please allow me to add some food for thought.

Boise State is where they are today because they got a few years in the Big West and a few years in the WAC, when the size of stadium and impact of program indicated they could have gone straight to the WAC. Don't forget that they got greedy after getting the Mountain West and nearly ended up in the Big East, and early on in the MWC, they'd pull out some big games and then lose the wrong 1 or 2 in conference.

In other words, they had time to build up crowds (especially after a disaster of 1996), resources, then carried on, instead of making the big splash right away. That they tried that later and failed is probably part of the lesson.

If you want FBS, that's why you go WAC first... if they want you. Never mind the TV market issue will always be a problem.

The WAC is FCS now.

 

[grizpsych]

What we think about tiers: DI FBS, DIFCS, DII, DIII

What is the truth: P5, G5, FCS, DII, DIII

So, as I see it, if we want to maintain our status in the second tier of college football, we will need to move up now and then let the NCAA reclassify the tiers. Let the top tier have their shitty bowl series, and we'll take the G5 and the top current FCS teams and create another tournament.

 

[kemajic]

Please allow me to add some food for thought.

Boise State is where they are today because they got a few years in the Big West and a few years in the WAC, when the size of stadium and impact of program indicated they could have gone straight to the WAC. Don't forget that they got greedy after getting the Mountain West and nearly ended up in the Big East, and early on in the MWC, they'd pull out some big games and then lose the wrong 1 or 2 in conference.

In other words, they had time to build up crowds (especially after a disaster of 1996), resources, then carried on, instead of making the big splash right away. That they tried that later and failed is probably part of the lesson.

If you want FBS, that's why you go WAC first... if they want you. Never mind the TV market issue will always be a problem.

The WAC is FCS now.

And a weaker conference than the BSC.

 

[Spanky2]

The WAC is FCS now.

And a weaker conference than the BSC.

The current WAC is not the WAC of old. My view has been the Mountain West would be ideal for UM and MSU. However, with no known openings, the Big Sky is about it and we might even get to go to Frisco. My Goodness!

 

[Griz Gone Wild]

Why stay in the FCS? For many it is simply the 24 team playoffs versus a 4 team playoff that we'll never see and a billion bowl games with ridiculous names. I am all in on a large playoff field that actually gives a 3 or 4 loss team a chance to make a run, much like the magic that makes March Madness so special. I love that the Griz get a chance each year to host 2-3 postseason games. It 's the games that are so special in Missoula and the kids we cheer on. Move up to the FBS and all that goes away. No more home games in Mid-December, no more rosters which have half the kids from MT, certainly not 12 kids from Missoula. Heck, Wyoming only has a dozen kids from their state. Sure WY only has around 600K population but they don't have to compete with another in-state school in recruiting. I love that the Griz can keep filling the roster from all corners of the state and still get the in-state walk-ons that end up being All Americans and beyond (NFL, CFL). Don't get me wrong, I love all the kids who choose to come here from out of state and be part of the experience of playing at WAGriz. Brian Ah Yat is one of my all-time favorite Griz but I bet most folks who post on the forum are probably from MT and keeping Montana in the Griz is probably just as important as winning. Recruiting at the FBS level, by necessity, changes the identity of a program and unless you really think that you can compete at the next level I think we're fine where we are.

 

[kemajic]

Why stay in the FCS? For many it is simply the 24 team playoffs versus a 4 team playoff that we'll never see and a billion bowl games with ridiculous names. I am all in on a large playoff field that actually gives a 3 or 4 loss team a chance to make a run, much like the magic that makes March Madness so special. I love that the Griz get a chance each year to host 2-3 postseason games. It 's the games that are so special in Missoula and the kids we cheer on. Move up to the FBS and all that goes away. No more home games in Mid-December, no more rosters which have half the kids from MT, certainly not 12 kids from Missoula. Heck, Wyoming only has a dozen kids from their state. Sure WY only has around 600K population but they don't have to compete with another in-state school in recruiting. I love that the Griz can keep filling the roster from all corners of the state and still get the in-state walk-ons that end up being All Americans and beyond (NFL, CFL). Don't get me wrong, I love all the kids who choose to come here from out of state and be part of the experience of playing at WAGriz. Brian Ah Yat is one of my all-time favorite Griz but I bet most folks who post on the forum are probably from MT and keeping Montana in the Griz is probably just as important as winning. Recruiting at the FBS level, by necessity, changes the identity of a program and unless you really think that you can compete at the next level I think we're fine where we are.

The playoff games in Missoula, often against a team we've never heard of, are so special to fans that about 16,000 pack the 25,000+ stadium. Home games with BSU, USU, Wyoming, CSU would pack the stadium. It would likely drive expansion.

 

[Buttegrizzle]

I find it laughable that people continue to use terms like "second-rate bowl", "meaningless, un-watched bowl", and the all-time classic "toilet bowl" when discussing a move (it's not a move up any longer, just a move) to the FBS.

WTF do you all think the fcs "national" championship is?? It's a second-rate, meaningless, un-watched game that airs at 9:00 am and is played in a soccer stadium. And it costs the program money to play in it.


Yay.

The truth hurts.

 

[fanofzoo]

I find it laughable that people continue to use terms like "second-rate bowl", "meaningless, un-watched bowl", and the all-time classic "toilet bowl" when discussing a move (it's not a move up any longer, just a move) to the FBS.

WTF do you all think the fcs "national" championship is?? It's a second-rate, meaningless, un-watched game that airs at 9:00 am and is played in a soccer stadium. And it costs the program money to play in it.


Yay.

The truth hurts.

For a minute there I thought you were talking about the FBS playing in meaningless toliet bowel games.
For pride which one do you want to win ?
Or take the money and be the whore.