First off, this thread is purely for actual in depth discussion, not for smack or petty pissing matches between schools. With that being said, someday I would love to see SDSU, USD, UND, NDSU, Montana, and MSU in the same conference for all sports. If there ever was a split in the FBS world (1A, 1AA, 1AAA), I would ideally also like to see Wyoming, Idaho, and ISU in that conference as well. Here's why:
1) All of these schools are public, land grant or flagship schools in their respective states.
2) Research, student enrollment, and academic mission are similar for all schools listed.
3) The current average distance from Missoula to an away game in the current Big Sky = 684 miles, 8208 total miles traveled over twelve conference games (I know that the Griz do not play all conference members in one season). In the conference listed above the average distance to an away game would be 708 miles, with 5664 miles total travel for eight games. The point is that the argument that the Dakota schools are too far removed to be legitimate conference members is ridiculous. The three closest games for the Griz right now are MSU, EWU, and ISU, in that order. The longest game for travel is Cal Poly at just over 1300 miles. the three closest games for the Griz in the new conference would be MSU, Idaho, and ISU. farthest game would be Vermillion at 1060 miles.
4) The four Dakota schools and the Montana schools ( along with UNH, Delaware, DSU, URI, and Maine) are unique in that their largest schools do not play FBS football. There are no BCS teams in state to compete with for fans and funding as there are for most every other FCS school. In my opinion of course, it makes sense that when six of those schools share a border (large though it may be), they should be playing one another in athletics. A school like SDSU has more in common with UM than it does with UNI. Likewise, UM has more in common with SDSU than with EWU. Culturally, the Midwest is obviously different than the Intermountain West, but the size and scope of these universities are clearly similar.
So, why would you like to or not like to see the Griz in this new conference? For the sake of argument, assume that this new conference can include any combination (or none of them) of Idaho, ISU, and Wyoming, along with the two Montana schools and the four Dakotas.
1) All of these schools are public, land grant or flagship schools in their respective states.
2) Research, student enrollment, and academic mission are similar for all schools listed.
3) The current average distance from Missoula to an away game in the current Big Sky = 684 miles, 8208 total miles traveled over twelve conference games (I know that the Griz do not play all conference members in one season). In the conference listed above the average distance to an away game would be 708 miles, with 5664 miles total travel for eight games. The point is that the argument that the Dakota schools are too far removed to be legitimate conference members is ridiculous. The three closest games for the Griz right now are MSU, EWU, and ISU, in that order. The longest game for travel is Cal Poly at just over 1300 miles. the three closest games for the Griz in the new conference would be MSU, Idaho, and ISU. farthest game would be Vermillion at 1060 miles.
4) The four Dakota schools and the Montana schools ( along with UNH, Delaware, DSU, URI, and Maine) are unique in that their largest schools do not play FBS football. There are no BCS teams in state to compete with for fans and funding as there are for most every other FCS school. In my opinion of course, it makes sense that when six of those schools share a border (large though it may be), they should be playing one another in athletics. A school like SDSU has more in common with UM than it does with UNI. Likewise, UM has more in common with SDSU than with EWU. Culturally, the Midwest is obviously different than the Intermountain West, but the size and scope of these universities are clearly similar.
So, why would you like to or not like to see the Griz in this new conference? For the sake of argument, assume that this new conference can include any combination (or none of them) of Idaho, ISU, and Wyoming, along with the two Montana schools and the four Dakotas.
