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Fullerton: Take BSC to FBS and add NDSU?

UNDfan

Well-known member
Talk within the NCAA and Big Sky of DI football being split into three DI subdivisions. Fullerton seems to want the Big Sky to be at the MAC, CUSA, MWC, and Sun Belt level.

http://mobile.grandforksherald.com/page/article/id/262920/

Fullerton answers four questions:

1. Are we on the cusp of a three-tier system in college football, a revolutionary change that would attempt to better group universities with similar budgets?

2. With the Big Ten Conference announcing preliminary plans to no longer play FCS schools, will that idea spread to other major conferences and create financial problems around the FCS?

3. Is the FCS turning into a watered-down league, a comparable situation that led the four major Dakota schools to leave NCAA Division II for Division I in the first place?

4. Is the Big Sky destined for an FBS future?

“With UND, Montana, Montana State — we look more like an FBS league,” Fullerton said.

“When that was unfolding, we could take immediate action and didn’t have to get in a debate,” Fullerton said. “It’s a scenario type of thing. There are scenarios we should be role-playing depending on what happens.”

Fullerton said if the Big Sky was to join the FBS ranks, the league might be attractive to Idaho again for football.

Although he wouldn’t name specific targets, Fullerton added other expansion is being discussed.

“There are others who would help us put together some rivalries,” Fullerton said. “But, I haven’t talked to any schools or commissioners … our conference going to 16 (teams)? Is that the end game?”

Add four teams?? Maybe: NMSU, NDSU, SDSU, USD


Interestingly, UND's hockey writer, who got almost all events correct in hockey realignment (when nearly half of all hockey teams changed conferences for this coming year) is advocating the Big Sky add NDSU. He wouldn't advocate that line unless he knew something will happen, IMHO.
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/262919/group/sports/
 
If, and I mean a big if, the Big Sky decided to go to the new 2nd-tier FBS, NDSU would say yes to an invitation in a heartbeat.

But isn't there an indefinite moratorium on conferences as a whole moving up, or something, or would that change if shit really starts to go down?
 
How the Big Sky would gain access to a higher tier is somewhat a mystery. Allowing Idaho to stay (without football) and maybe inviting New Mexico St might be an argument why the NCAA should allow the Big Sky to move up. With 16 teams, it might be possible for the Big Sky to have 8 FBS and 8 FCS schools, with both subdivisions offering their own "divisional" championship.

Oakland is leaving the Summit League next week, putting the Summit League on probation to exist as an NCAA conference (the Summit will only have the bare minimum of 7 full DI members and not meet the NCAA requirements for number of sports sponsored). The Summit League is a sinking and burning ship and the other Dakota's will have to bail (either to the WAC with football staying in the MVFC, or to the Big Sky with football). What's funny is that if UND or UNC baseball had joined the Summit, that move would have stabilized the Summit (which has to sponsor baseball, as it doesn't sponsor football). By UND and UNC having joined the WAC in baseball, those Big Sky schools more or less orchestrated the sinking of the Summit League, IMHO.

uofmman1122 said:
If, and I mean a big if, the Big Sky decided to go to the new 2nd-tier FBS, NDSU would say yes to an invitation in a heartbeat.

But isn't there an indefinite moratorium on conferences as a whole moving up, or something, or would that change if shit really starts to go down?
 
If the Big Sky Conference moved to FBS, there are some schools that shouldn't be included such as Northern Colorado, Southern Utah and perhaps others.
 
UNDfan said:
How the Big Sky would gain access to a higher tier is somewhat a mystery. Allowing Idaho to stay (without football) and maybe inviting New Mexico St might be an argument why the NCAA should allow the Big Sky to move up. With 16 teams, it might be possible for the Big Sky to have 8 FBS and 8 FCS schools, with both subdivisions offering their own "divisional" championship.

Oakland is leaving the Summit League next week, putting the Summit League on probation to exist as an NCAA conference (the Summit will only have the bare minimum of 7 full DI members and not meet the NCAA requirements for number of sports sponsored). The Summit League is a sinking and burning ship and the other Dakota's will have to bail (either to the WAC with football staying in the MVFC, or to the Big Sky with football). What's funny is that if UND or UNC baseball had joined the Summit, that move would have stabilized the Summit (which has to sponsor baseball, as it doesn't sponsor football). By UND and UNC having joined the WAC in baseball, those Big Sky schools more or less orchestrated the sinking of the Summit League, IMHO.

uofmman1122 said:
If, and I mean a big if, the Big Sky decided to go to the new 2nd-tier FBS, NDSU would say yes to an invitation in a heartbeat.

But isn't there an indefinite moratorium on conferences as a whole moving up, or something, or would that change if shit really starts to go down?

It's not a mystery. They could all just join the WAC.
 
AZGrizFan said:
UNDfan said:
How the Big Sky would gain access to a higher tier is somewhat a mystery. Allowing Idaho to stay (without football) and maybe inviting New Mexico St might be an argument why the NCAA should allow the Big Sky to move up. With 16 teams, it might be possible for the Big Sky to have 8 FBS and 8 FCS schools, with both subdivisions offering their own "divisional" championship.

Oakland is leaving the Summit League next week, putting the Summit League on probation to exist as an NCAA conference (the Summit will only have the bare minimum of 7 full DI members and not meet the NCAA requirements for number of sports sponsored). The Summit League is a sinking and burning ship and the other Dakota's will have to bail (either to the WAC with football staying in the MVFC, or to the Big Sky with football). What's funny is that if UND or UNC baseball had joined the Summit, that move would have stabilized the Summit (which has to sponsor baseball, as it doesn't sponsor football). By UND and UNC having joined the WAC in baseball, those Big Sky schools more or less orchestrated the sinking of the Summit League, IMHO.

uofmman1122 said:
If, and I mean a big if, the Big Sky decided to go to the new 2nd-tier FBS, NDSU would say yes to an invitation in a heartbeat.

But isn't there an indefinite moratorium on conferences as a whole moving up, or something, or would that change if shit really starts to go down?

It's not a mystery. They could all just join the WAC.
A reconstitution of the WAC is the possibility that Fullerton wants to promote himself into. Haslam said Thursday that the WAC has another two years before it loses its FBS football conference classification. Half of the current BSC would never be FBS material, but the top half of the BSC, Idaho, NMSU and the Dakotas could make a conference; that's his agenda.
 
sounds like a good agenda, especially, if they make the decision not to include the bottom half.
 
kemajic said:
AZGrizFan said:
UNDfan said:
How the Big Sky would gain access to a higher tier is somewhat a mystery. Allowing Idaho to stay (without football) and maybe inviting New Mexico St might be an argument why the NCAA should allow the Big Sky to move up. With 16 teams, it might be possible for the Big Sky to have 8 FBS and 8 FCS schools, with both subdivisions offering their own "divisional" championship.

Oakland is leaving the Summit League next week, putting the Summit League on probation to exist as an NCAA conference (the Summit will only have the bare minimum of 7 full DI members and not meet the NCAA requirements for number of sports sponsored). The Summit League is a sinking and burning ship and the other Dakota's will have to bail (either to the WAC with football staying in the MVFC, or to the Big Sky with football). What's funny is that if UND or UNC baseball had joined the Summit, that move would have stabilized the Summit (which has to sponsor baseball, as it doesn't sponsor football). By UND and UNC having joined the WAC in baseball, those Big Sky schools more or less orchestrated the sinking of the Summit League, IMHO.

uofmman1122 said:
If, and I mean a big if, the Big Sky decided to go to the new 2nd-tier FBS, NDSU would say yes to an invitation in a heartbeat.

But isn't there an indefinite moratorium on conferences as a whole moving up, or something, or would that change if shit really starts to go down?

It's not a mystery. They could all just join the WAC.
A reconstitution of the WAC is the possibility that Fullerton wants to promote himself into. Haslam said Thursday that the WAC has another two years before it loses its FBS football conference classification. Half of the current BSC would never be FBS material, but the top half of the BSC, Idaho, NMSU and the Dakotas could make a conference; that's his agenda.

Sounds fine to me. :thumb:

Except, in ANY scenario, NMSU is a serious outlyer. :?
 
In a best case senerio with travel partners:

Griz
msu
WSU
EWU
Weber
Utah State
Wyoming
Idaho
Nevada
UNLV
 
Paytonlives said:
In a best case senerio with travel partners:

Griz
msu
WSU
EWU
Weber
Utah State
Wyoming
Idaho
Nevada
UNLV

The cougars wont leave the pac-16 (yes I said 16 cause that where they headed) thats a pipe dream. But I like the core teams IF it happend. Which it wont! Replace Wazzu with NDSU & its at least a realistic thought. Folks is trying to get IN the Pac-12; not leave it, y'all crazy if you think any PAC-12 team drops out.

BTW I say TCU; Texas; Oklahoma; Oklahoma State could all jump to the Pac 16 because at the end its about money which most y'all just wont accept. Most you all are selling pipedreams with this realignment talk.
 
It all depends on how many "upper" tier teams there are. If its 64 or may be even 96, then the likes of WSU- wont be invited.

If the colleges/ncaa go to regional foot printing then the Conference I outlined is VERY possible.

Again, its ALL speculation... I just hope UM officials are prepared, But as we know that is asking A LOT!!!
 
Paytonlives said:
In a best case senerio with travel partners:

Griz
msu
WSU
EWU
Weber
Utah State
Wyoming
Idaho
Nevada
UNLV

Nobody is leaving the MWC for that. Loss of Cali schools is a non starter. Split Wyoming from old Rivals like CSU, Air force, and New Mexico? Pipe dream and no shot in hell of ever happening
 
billings_poke said:
Paytonlives said:
In a best case senerio with travel partners:

Griz
msu
WSU
EWU
Weber
Utah State
Wyoming
Idaho
Nevada
UNLV

Nobody is leaving the MWC for that. Loss of Cali schools is a non starter. Split Wyoming from old Rivals like CSU, Air force, and New Mexico? Pipe dream and no shot in hell of ever happening
Says the wyoming fan that thinks the cowboys are bigtime!
 
Paytonlives said:
billings_poke said:
Paytonlives said:
In a best case senerio with travel partners:

Griz
msu
WSU
EWU
Weber
Utah State
Wyoming
Idaho
Nevada
UNLV

Nobody is leaving the MWC for that. Loss of Cali schools is a non starter. Split Wyoming from old Rivals like CSU, Air force, and New Mexico? Pipe dream and no shot in hell of ever happening
Says the wyoming fan that thinks the cowboys are bigtime!

Good grief, No, says a Wyo fan who thinks that San Jose State, New Mexico, Nevada, UNLV, Hawaii, and a core of MWC teams would remain and add UTSA, UTEP, Tulsa, Rice, ect. long before a merger with the BSC. You ignore reality.

WYO
Nevada
UNLV
New Mexico
Hawaii
San Jose State
Utah Sate
Colorado state
UTEP
Rice
UTSA
Tulsa/Texas State/LA Lafayette/UNT


Assuming Air Force, Boise State, Fresno State, and San Diego State all make that top 96 cut.


That is far mor likely than the mess you drew up if the top whatever left. If the MWC lost up to 5 schools, which is worse case scenario, That leaves 7 schools to rebuild the MAC. Then we go to CUSA and/or do a merge with CUSA west. Existing FBS are way more desirable and all of those schools have facilities and budgets far superior to anything in the Big Sky. I have no delusions that wyo gets into a top 64 and is very borderline on the top 96 but You completely ignore the draw of the texas recruiting grounds, plenty of teams would be available to add or merge in your scenario and the media markets of San Jose, Houston, Austin, and El Paso won't be ignored. Hell Wyoming, CSU and New mexico might get invited to a western CUSA even

You really think San Jose State, Hawaii, and Utep won't be around to join or stay in the conference?
 
lol.. Payton. Let me repeat what billingspoke said.. the Front Range schools won't be leaving each other. Ever. They're tied at the hip.
 
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