James Madison to FBS (Rumor)

[EverettGriz]

This gives me some serious FOMO anxiety. I just can’t imagine being left holding the bag in the FCS without the NDSUs and SDSUs and JMUs. Good grief we were playing D1 ball when NDSU and SDSU were still D2 and I have the awful feeling that they’re going to go FBS before the Montana schools because we are so unwilling to embrace change and perhaps some challenges/adversity along the way. I have faith that Haslem and Bodner will do what’s best and position us to capitalize on any opportunities. All this makes me wonder, is UM even financially capable of a move up at this point? Without rehashing everything that’s gone on the last decade, are we even at a place right now as an academic instytgat we would be considered? Could the UM afford a move up? Lots of things to consider. If I’m Kent I’m making phone calls right now though and putting out feelers.

The 2028 FCS National Championship Game
Presented by Big Lou's Life Insurance

Who: Northern Colorado v. Montana
When: November 9, 6:00am MTN
Where: Duluth HS Stadium, Duluth, MN
How to Watch: Tape delay streaming November 20 at 11:45pm MTN on Food Network+++

"Log on late to see if the #2 ranked Bears (5-3) can knock off the #1 ranked Grizzlies (8-0), or whatever."

:lol: :lol:

Not really all that removed from reality NOW.

 

[Grizzlies1982]

Maybe we should start a new "Move Up" thread? It is too soon? You know the grass is always greener...

My two bits: Hell we have a good gig at present with, or without, James Madison Univ in FCS. Somehow we've survived and still enjoyed watching our Grizzlies without Nevada, Boise State, Marshall, Troy St, Georgia So, App State and a dozen others who've spent the dosh to move up.

Decades later I've yet to see any of them playing in the Rose Bowl but no doubt their fans still love them playing each other in the more expensive version of FCS called "FBS Light". It's like Bud light, it is less fulfilling, and largely tasteless.

 

[Spanky2]

Yeah. I would hope that if the mountain west expands the Montana schools are in that discussion. Staying in an increasingly watered down FCS is very unappealing

See this is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. Of course, we all like the opportunity to have a realistic chance to compete for a national championship and that is why I have been so adamant about staying in the FCS. That's important for our fanbase and our brand. I am however mindful of the fact that the FCS is changing and is not what it used to be. We have seen some of our greatest playoff rivals like App State, Georgia Southern, Coastal Carolina, Marshall, and Liberty all move up. I understand why all of these schools have moved up and why JMU wants to move up, because if you're an east coast school in the FCS, nobody cares about you at all. Plus the Sun Belt has really emerged itself as the premiere G5 conference once Houston, UCF and Cincinnati leave the American.

Right now, I can't imagine UM is engaging in any talks with the Mountain West, nor does it sound like the Mountain West is pursuing either Montana school. The big thing I want to wait and see about is the upcoming NCAA constitutional convention in November. What will they decide to do with potential division realignment and postseasons? if the G5 came together with the NCAA and would like to form a playoff system, then at that point I'm all in on moving up because I think we could totally compete with the G5. Would the Big 3 conferences (Big Sky, CAA, Missouri Valley) in the FCS be willing to move up to the FBS if a viable playoff system became a reality? Now some of the schools in each of those conferences would have to be kicked to the curb, but I could definitely see the Big Sky and Missouri Valley looking to pursue that. The president of NDSU, Dean Bresciani, is a member of the NCAA Constitutional Committee and I would be willing to bet he would likely recommend something along these same lines. NDSU is stuck in the middle of nowhere with realistically nowhere to go that's a geographic fit for them.

A lot of unknowns that will be answered in a matter of time.

Why can’t Montana one day compete for the FBS national championship?

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

Why can’t Montana one day compete for the FBS national championship?

Is this a serious question?

 

[EverettGriz]

Maybe we should start a new "Move Up" thread? It is too soon? You know the grass is always greener...

My two bits: Hell we have a good gig at present with, or without, James Madison Univ in FCS. Somehow we've survived and still enjoyed watching our Grizzlies without Nevada, Boise State, Marshall, Troy St, Georgia So, App State and a dozen others who've spent the dosh to move up.

Decades later I've yet to see any of them playing in the Rose Bowl but no doubt their fans still love them playing each other in the more expensive version of FCS called "FBS Light". It's like Bud light, it is less fulfilling, and largely tasteless.

How is it anymore "light" than the fcs?? And before someone mocks "the Toilet Bowl", the fcs plays its "national" championship at 8:00 am in a soccer stadium.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

Maybe we should start a new "Move Up" thread? It is too soon? You know the grass is always greener...

My two bits: Hell we have a good gig at present with, or without, James Madison Univ in FCS. Somehow we've survived and still enjoyed watching our Grizzlies without Nevada, Boise State, Marshall, Troy St, Georgia So, App State and a dozen others who've spent the dosh to move up.

Decades later I've yet to see any of them playing in the Rose Bowl but no doubt their fans still love them playing each other in the more expensive version of FCS called "FBS Light". It's like Bud light, it is less fulfilling, and largely tasteless.

How is it anymore "light" than the fcs?? And before someone mocks "the Toilet Bowl", the fcs plays its "national" championship at 8:00 am in a soccer stadium.

If trends continue, P5 will be “FBS double IPA”, G5 will be “FBS Light”, and FCS will be water with lemon.

And I even think “FBS Double IPA” won’t even be on tap at the NCAA Tavern. One will only be able to find it at the expensive gastropub that just opened down the street, under new management.

 

[EverettGriz]

How is it anymore "light" than the fcs?? And before someone mocks "the Toilet Bowl", the fcs plays its "national" championship at 8:00 am in a soccer stadium.

If trends continue, P5 will be “FBS double IPA”, G5 will be “FBS Light”, and FCS will be water with lemon.

And I even think “FBS Double IPA” won’t even be on tap at the NCAA Tavern. One will only be able to find it at the expensive gastropub that just opened down the street, under new management.

True, but at least we'll be able to enjoy our lukewarm lemon tap water with our peer institutions. You know, Central Washington, noco, Dixie, Lamar.

 

[Spanky2]

Why can’t Montana one day compete for the FBS national championship?

Is this a serious question?

Yes, very serious

 

[Spanky2]

Why can’t Montana one day compete for the FBS national championship?

Is this a serious question?

Yes

 

[captain jazz]

Yeah. I would hope that if the mountain west expands the Montana schools are in that discussion. Staying in an increasingly watered down FCS is very unappealing

See this is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. Of course, we all like the opportunity to have a realistic chance to compete for a national championship and that is why I have been so adamant about staying in the FCS. That's important for our fanbase and our brand. I am however mindful of the fact that the FCS is changing and is not what it used to be. We have seen some of our greatest playoff rivals like App State, Georgia Southern, Coastal Carolina, Marshall, and Liberty all move up. I understand why all of these schools have moved up and why JMU wants to move up, because if you're an east coast school in the FCS, nobody cares about you at all. Plus the Sun Belt has really emerged itself as the premiere G5 conference once Houston, UCF and Cincinnati leave the American.

Right now, I can't imagine UM is engaging in any talks with the Mountain West, nor does it sound like the Mountain West is pursuing either Montana school. The big thing I want to wait and see about is the upcoming NCAA constitutional convention in November. What will they decide to do with potential division realignment and postseasons? if the G5 came together with the NCAA and would like to form a playoff system, then at that point I'm all in on moving up because I think we could totally compete with the G5. Would the Big 3 conferences (Big Sky, CAA, Missouri Valley) in the FCS be willing to move up to the FBS if a viable playoff system became a reality? Now some of the schools in each of those conferences would have to be kicked to the curb, but I could definitely see the Big Sky and Missouri Valley looking to pursue that. The president of NDSU, Dean Bresciani, is a member of the NCAA Constitutional Committee and I would be willing to bet he would likely recommend something along these same lines. NDSU is stuck in the middle of nowhere with realistically nowhere to go that's a geographic fit for them.

A lot of unknowns that will be answered in a matter of time.

I read somewhere out there on the information superhighway that our friends at the WAC still have FBS membership?

If that's the case, one could go so far to suggest a new FBS (or whatever the new division may be) conference featuring the top FCS schools in the West/midwest could emerge during a big shakeup.

For speculation's sake, here's my take for you all to tear to shreds:

WAC North:
Montana
Montana State
Idaho
NDSU
SDSU
Northern Iowa


WAC South:
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Lamar
Stephen F Austin
ACU
UCD / Cal Poly

 

[UTGrizFan]

I'd love to see us in the MWC rather then the WAC and think if we brought the Dakota State schools along as well we could be a very attractive package.

Mountain Division:

BSU, USU, WYO, CSU, Montana, Montana State, NDSU, SDSU

(States: ID, UT, WY, MT, ND, SD, CO)

West Division:

Hawaii, SJSU, FSU, UNR, UNLV, SDSU, UNM, AF

(States: HW, CA, NV, NM, CO)

This would be an awesome conference, 7 divisional games against regional opponents with 2 games against the opposite division every year gives us nine games with a few openings for some money games. Also with the geographical footprint of the mwc currently it wouldn't be too insane for travel as its relative to the Big Sky (except Hawaii) currently and we'd be getting more money.

 

[kemajic]

I'd love to see us in the MWC rather then the WAC and think if we brought the Dakota State schools along as well we could be a very attractive package.

NORTH Division:

BSU, USU, WYO, CSU, Montana, Montana State, NDSU, SDSU

(States: ID, UT, WY, MT, ND, SD, CO)

SOUTH Division:

Hawaii, SJSU, FSU, UNR, UNLV, SDSU, UNM, AF

(States: HW, CA, NV, NM, CO)

This would be an awesome conference, 7 divisional games against regional opponents with 2 games against the opposite division every year gives us nine games with a few openings for some money games. Also with the geographical footprint of the mwc currently it wouldn't be too insane for travel as its relative to the Big Sky (except Hawaii) currently and we'd be getting more money.

FIFY

 

[kemajic]

See this is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. Of course, we all like the opportunity to have a realistic chance to compete for a national championship and that is why I have been so adamant about staying in the FCS. That's important for our fanbase and our brand. I am however mindful of the fact that the FCS is changing and is not what it used to be. We have seen some of our greatest playoff rivals like App State, Georgia Southern, Coastal Carolina, Marshall, and Liberty all move up. I understand why all of these schools have moved up and why JMU wants to move up, because if you're an east coast school in the FCS, nobody cares about you at all. Plus the Sun Belt has really emerged itself as the premiere G5 conference once Houston, UCF and Cincinnati leave the American.

Right now, I can't imagine UM is engaging in any talks with the Mountain West, nor does it sound like the Mountain West is pursuing either Montana school. The big thing I want to wait and see about is the upcoming NCAA constitutional convention in November. What will they decide to do with potential division realignment and postseasons? if the G5 came together with the NCAA and would like to form a playoff system, then at that point I'm all in on moving up because I think we could totally compete with the G5. Would the Big 3 conferences (Big Sky, CAA, Missouri Valley) in the FCS be willing to move up to the FBS if a viable playoff system became a reality? Now some of the schools in each of those conferences would have to be kicked to the curb, but I could definitely see the Big Sky and Missouri Valley looking to pursue that. The president of NDSU, Dean Bresciani, is a member of the NCAA Constitutional Committee and I would be willing to bet he would likely recommend something along these same lines. NDSU is stuck in the middle of nowhere with realistically nowhere to go that's a geographic fit for them.

A lot of unknowns that will be answered in a matter of time.

I read somewhere out there on the information superhighway that our friends at the WAC still have FBS membership?

If that's the case, one could go so far to suggest a new FBS (or whatever the new division may be) conference featuring the top FCS schools in the West/midwest could emerge during a big shakeup.

For speculation's sake, here's my take for you all to tear to shreds:

WAC North:
Montana
Montana State
Idaho
NDSU
SDSU
Northern Iowa


WAC South:
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Lamar
Stephen F Austin
ACU
UCD / Cal Poly

So what are you doing with programs already in the WAC, like Dixie St. and SUU?

Looks to be a travel nightmare.

 

[captain jazz]

I read somewhere out there on the information superhighway that our friends at the WAC still have FBS membership?

If that's the case, one could go so far to suggest a new FBS (or whatever the new division may be) conference featuring the top FCS schools in the West/midwest could emerge during a big shakeup.

For speculation's sake, here's my take for you all to tear to shreds:

WAC North:
Montana
Montana State
Idaho
NDSU
SDSU
Northern Iowa


WAC South:
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State
Lamar
Stephen F Austin
ACU
UCD / Cal Poly

So what are you doing with programs already in the WAC, like Dixie St. and SUU?

Looks to be a travel nightmare.

Give 'em the boot!

Look it's not ideal but there's not really much to work with. I'd be all for Montana in the MWC but that conference doesn't seem interested in bringing in FCS schools. Happy to be wrong though!

 

[Griz#64]

Don't Mock the "Toilet Bowl". It was held every Monday for those that didn't play or didn't play well on Saturday( Ray Jenkins Stuff) RIP