mtgrizrule said:
It is really hard to rationally argue on Idaho's side, in the realm of what is college football these days. If they were as wanted, or good, as some want to believe, why are they not being accepted, or taken in by any conferences?
Not to be a jerk, but I think Bwahlberg, is a little closer to the Idaho football reality here.
Even Idaho admits it -- remember this quote:
Idaho Statesman said:
"I wish I would have had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with Commissioner (Craig) Thompson and do a formal presentation," [UI AD] Spear said. ... Spear said the market size of Moscow and surrounding areas was the biggest factor in being bypassed by the Mountain West.
One has to question whether a bigger, fancier stadium would make any difference. Just looking at the populations (all Wikipedia numbers) of the smaller cities in the old, or new MWC we get:
BSU - Boise Metro = 616,000. And still growing at a near-record pace. (Of course, they're leaving anyway.)
U. Wyoming – Laramie Metro = 57,298, with Cheyenne Metro (91,738) not that far away.
UNM - Albuquerque Metro = 887,077
USU - Logan = 49,534 in Cache County = 112,656
UI - Moscow - 23,800 in Latah County = 37,244 (Pullman = 29,799). Uuh ... not growing.
Just for comparison:
UM - Missoula Metro = 109,299