This is what I don't get, on one point people get irritated that we play a school that has no football tradition, no stadium and play in a conference that doesn't matter outside of the people who play in it. Yet, interestingly enough most people outside of Missoula, Bozeman, don't care about the Big Sky...Heck even here in Idaho, Boise State, who used to be in the Big Sky and has enough fans who remember the day, could care less what facilities, fanbase and success the UofM, ISU, or MSU has. They just see it as a step down. We may not think so, that there is a gap, that we aren't that far away, but for most people outside of those programs, the fans believe it is wide as the grand canyon.
Here is another way to look at it,
I remember my first years of teaching (in Thompson falls) and I had kids who were there because of their drug/alcohol issues and could not conceive why anyone in their right mind would live in a state like Montana. Most couldn't put Montana on a map and some where wondering exactly when we got electricity and indoor plumbing. The point is, I guess is perception. What we value and don't value is truly unique to where you are at. I just don't see a point at minimizing something that is so entirely relative.
In my decade of coaching experience I have sent far more kids to DII schools than Div I (FCS or FBS) and while kids love playing at DII schools there is no illusion as to why they are there. In fact most long term DII coaches will probably tell you the same thing. The higher you go, and the level of competition and talent increases the more likely you are going to find a whole different level in regards to the illusion as to why they are there. I don't think that is surprising to anyone. The transition between division II and a lot of FCS schools isn't as large as you would think it would be, but at the same point the rule is the same between some of FBS and FCS schools.