WAC is blowing up

[billings_poke]

With CUSA going to 12 schools, it seems very logical that MWC would want that also. What would we think if MWC wanted to add Idaho and us? Would the regents go for that? Would we want to be part of that MWC?

Won't be Idaho in any way shape or form. They simply have no commitment to improving athletic facilities.

However the new MWC TV contract is rumored to be around 2.5 mil per team and the new FBS playoff agreement is rumored to be worth about 2.5 mil per team in the MWC (all just rumor but seem reasonable)

There is the 5 million that UM has said they need to move up. The money is there in the MWC that montana has said they need. Whether you want to move up or if you could get an invite are different issues but the money and regional rivalries are there in the MWC.

You would have to add to the stadium though and rather quickly.

 

[englishgriz]

What do vandal fans think Idaho will do? Has the issue been addressed by any of their administration yet?

 

[AZGrizFan]

You would have to add to the stadium though and rather quickly.

While I think Wa/Griz could easily be expanded to add another 3000-4000 seats, I question whether it's necessary. Stadium capacities and average attendances of current/future/potential MWC teams (from Wikipedia):

Air Force - 52,480 (averaged 37,121 or 70.1%)
Hawaii - 50,000 (averaged 30,818 or 61.6%)
Fresno State - 41,030 (averaged 29,298 or 71.4%)
New Mexico - 40,094 (averaged 20,027 or 51.8%)
UNLV - 36,800 (averaged 21,730 or 59%)
CSU -34,400 (ave 24,972 or 72.6%)
Wyoming - 30,514 (averaged 23,603 or 69.4%)
San Jose st - 30,456 (averaged 18,214 or 59.8%)
New Mexico St - 30,343 (averaged 15,138 or 49.9%)
Nevada - 29,993 (averaged 15,776 or 52.6%)
Utah State - 25,513 (averaged 17,468 or 68.5%)

Montana - 25,203 (averaged 24,417 or 96.8%)

So, we'd have the smallest stadium in the conference and yet we already average more fans than all teams but AFA, Hawaii, Fresno State & CSU.

In many ways, on the road the Griz would feel right at home...it appears most MWC teams play home games in half-full stadiums much like all the current BSC teams not located in Montana.

 

[billings_poke]

You would have to add to the stadium though and rather quickly.

While I think Wa/Griz could easily be expanded to add another 3000-4000 seats, I question whether it's necessary. Stadium capacities and average attendances of current/future/potential MWC teams (from Wikipedia):

Air Force - 52,480 (averaged 37,121 or 70.1%)
Hawaii - 50,000 (averaged 30,818 or 61.6%)
Fresno State - 41,030 (averaged 29,298 or 71.4%)
New Mexico - 40,094 (averaged 20,027 or 51.8%)
UNLV - 36,800 (averaged 21,730 or 59%)
CSU -34,400 (ave 24,972 or 72.6%)
Wyoming - 30,514 (averaged 23,603 or 69.4%)
San Jose st - 30,456 (averaged 18,214 or 59.8%)
New Mexico St - 30,343 (averaged 15,138 or 49.9%)
Nevada - 29,993 (averaged 15,776 or 52.6%)
Utah State - 25,513 (averaged 17,468 or 68.5%)

Montana - 25,203 (averaged 24,417 or 96.8%)

So, we'd have the smallest stadium in the conference and yet we already average more fans than all teams but AFA, Hawaii, Fresno State & CSU.

In many ways, on the road the Griz would feel right at home...it appears most MWC teams play home games in half-full stadiums much like all the current BSC teams not located in Montana.

point being MWC teams bring fans to you. You need to carve out more seating for Tickets to visiting teams. Turning them away is leaving money on the table.

 

[AZGrizFan]

You would have to add to the stadium though and rather quickly.

While I think Wa/Griz could easily be expanded to add another 3000-4000 seats, I question whether it's necessary. Stadium capacities and average attendances of current/future/potential MWC teams (from Wikipedia):

Air Force - 52,480 (averaged 37,121 or 70.1%)
Hawaii - 50,000 (averaged 30,818 or 61.6%)
Fresno State - 41,030 (averaged 29,298 or 71.4%)
New Mexico - 40,094 (averaged 20,027 or 51.8%)
UNLV - 36,800 (averaged 21,730 or 59%)
CSU -34,400 (ave 24,972 or 72.6%)
Wyoming - 30,514 (averaged 23,603 or 69.4%)
San Jose st - 30,456 (averaged 18,214 or 59.8%)
New Mexico St - 30,343 (averaged 15,138 or 49.9%)
Nevada - 29,993 (averaged 15,776 or 52.6%)
Utah State - 25,513 (averaged 17,468 or 68.5%)

Montana - 25,203 (averaged 24,417 or 96.8%)

So, we'd have the smallest stadium in the conference and yet we already average more fans than all teams but AFA, Hawaii, Fresno State & CSU.

In many ways, on the road the Griz would feel right at home...it appears most MWC teams play home games in half-full stadiums much like all the current BSC teams not located in Montana.

point being MWC teams bring fans to you. You need to carve out more seating for Tickets to visiting teams. Turning them away is leaving money on the table.

Agreed 100%. :thumb: But with very few exceptions I would expect we'd bring more fans to THEM than they would to us.

 

[Tod]

You would have to add to the stadium though and rather quickly.

While I think Wa/Griz could easily be expanded to add another 3000-4000 seats, I question whether it's necessary. Stadium capacities and average attendances of current/future/potential MWC teams (from Wikipedia):

Air Force - 52,480 (averaged 37,121 or 70.1%)
Hawaii - 50,000 (averaged 30,818 or 61.6%)
Fresno State - 41,030 (averaged 29,298 or 71.4%)
New Mexico - 40,094 (averaged 20,027 or 51.8%)
UNLV - 36,800 (averaged 21,730 or 59%)
CSU -34,400 (ave 24,972 or 72.6%)
Wyoming - 30,514 (averaged 23,603 or 69.4%)
San Jose st - 30,456 (averaged 18,214 or 59.8%)
New Mexico St - 30,343 (averaged 15,138 or 49.9%)
Nevada - 29,993 (averaged 15,776 or 52.6%)
Utah State - 25,513 (averaged 17,468 or 68.5%)

Montana - 25,203 (averaged 24,417 or 96.8%)

So, we'd have the smallest stadium in the conference and yet we already average more fans than all teams but AFA, Hawaii, Fresno State & CSU.

In many ways, on the road the Griz would feel right at home...it appears most MWC teams play home games in half-full stadiums much like all the current BSC teams not located in Montana.

point being MWC teams bring fans to you. You need to carve out more seating for Tickets to visiting teams. Turning them away is leaving money on the table.

Agreed 100%. :thumb: But with very few exceptions I would expect we'd bring more fans to THEM than they would to us.

Yeah, but they have the room!

 

[AZGrizFan]

While I think Wa/Griz could easily be expanded to add another 3000-4000 seats, I question whether it's necessary. Stadium capacities and average attendances of current/future/potential MWC teams (from Wikipedia):

Air Force - 52,480 (averaged 37,121 or 70.1%)
Hawaii - 50,000 (averaged 30,818 or 61.6%)
Fresno State - 41,030 (averaged 29,298 or 71.4%)
New Mexico - 40,094 (averaged 20,027 or 51.8%)
UNLV - 36,800 (averaged 21,730 or 59%)
CSU -34,400 (ave 24,972 or 72.6%)
Wyoming - 30,514 (averaged 23,603 or 69.4%)
San Jose st - 30,456 (averaged 18,214 or 59.8%)
New Mexico St - 30,343 (averaged 15,138 or 49.9%)
Nevada - 29,993 (averaged 15,776 or 52.6%)
Utah State - 25,513 (averaged 17,468 or 68.5%)

Montana - 25,203 (averaged 24,417 or 96.8%)

So, we'd have the smallest stadium in the conference and yet we already average more fans than all teams but AFA, Hawaii, Fresno State & CSU.

In many ways, on the road the Griz would feel right at home...it appears most MWC teams play home games in half-full stadiums much like all the current BSC teams not located in Montana.

point being MWC teams bring fans to you. You need to carve out more seating for Tickets to visiting teams. Turning them away is leaving money on the table.

Agreed 100%. :thumb: But with very few exceptions I would expect we'd bring more fans to THEM than they would to us.

Yeah, but they have the room!

Just like everywhere ELSE we go. :evil: :evil: :evil:

 

[billings_poke]

Idaho out of options

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/05/01/2098295/wacs-pending-demise-leaves-idaho.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[AZGrizFan]

No one wants to be seen as taking a step back. The Vandals have plenty invested, including a fair amount of pride, in competing at the highest level of college football.

Had to laugh at this quote. Idaho neither played at (nor competed at) the highest level. :lol: :lol:

 

[coyote]

Why not work out some sort of arrangement where the WAC and the Big Sky could merge? It might be better for both.

 

[Brock Landers]

No one wants to be seen as taking a step back. The Vandals have plenty invested, including a fair amount of pride, in competing at the highest level of college football.

Had to laugh at this quote. Idaho neither played at (nor competed at) the highest level. :lol: :lol:

It's all about Boise State. Idaho fans already have a major complex when it comes to little brother surpassing them (ten fold) in football, and dropping to FCS would be too much for their pride to handle.

I guess I could partially understand that. If MSU and UM moved up, and MSU made giant strides over 15 years while our program went stagnant, had the worst facilities in FBS, terrible attendance, fleeting/marginal success, and then finally was left abandoned as an undesirable, a lot of Griz fans would still have a lot of reservations over throwing in the towel and letting our rivals becoming the de facto state football flagship.

 

[Silvertip]

Why not work out some sort of arrangement where the WAC and the Big Sky could merge? It might be better for both.

Merge with what :?: You've got Idaho and New Mexico State probably remaining as a two team WAC - which is about four teams short of what the NCAA allows. That's it - and NMSU is a bad fit. So all you have left is Idaho...

 

[Cujo]

Why not work out some sort of arrangement where the WAC and the Big Sky could merge? It might be better for both.

Merge with what :?: You've got Idaho and New Mexico State probably remaining as a two team WAC. That's it - and NMSU is a bad fit. So all you have left is Idaho...

Not necessarily. Travel partner for NAU perhaps? However, NMSU is even less likely to go to the BSC then Idaho. They might get invited back into the Sun Belt.

 

[AZGrizFan]

I guess I could partially understand that. If MSU and UM moved up, and MSU made giant strides over 15 years while our program went stagnant, had the worst facilities in FBS, terrible attendance, fleeting/marginal success, and then finally was left abandoned as an undesirable, a lot of Griz fans would still have a lot of reservations over throwing in the towel and letting our rivals becoming the de facto state football flagship.

Well, they're in some serious denial if they don't see that that's ALREADY happened. :lol:

And I say that as a (not-so-proud) Idaho alum.

 

[Brock Landers]

I guess I could partially understand that. If MSU and UM moved up, and MSU made giant strides over 15 years while our program went stagnant, had the worst facilities in FBS, terrible attendance, fleeting/marginal success, and then finally was left abandoned as an undesirable, a lot of Griz fans would still have a lot of reservations over throwing in the towel and letting our rivals becoming the de facto state football flagship.

Well, they're in some serious denial if they don't see that that's ALREADY happened. :lol:

And I say that as a (not-so-proud) Idaho alum.

Denial is a powerful force

 

[SACCAT66]

I guess I could partially understand that. If MSU and UM moved up, and MSU made giant strides over 15 years while our program went stagnant, had the worst facilities in FBS, terrible attendance, fleeting/marginal success, and then finally was left abandoned as an undesirable, a lot of Griz fans would still have a lot of reservations over throwing in the towel and letting our rivals becoming the de facto state football flagship.

Well, they're in some serious denial if they don't see that that's ALREADY happened. :lol:

And I say that as a (not-so-proud) Idaho alum.

Denial is a powerful force

And it's s river in Egypt

 

[kemajic]

Why not work out some sort of arrangement where the WAC and the Big Sky could merge? It might be better for both.

Merge with what :?: You've got Idaho and New Mexico State probably remaining as a two team WAC. That's it - and NMSU is a bad fit. So all you have left is Idaho...

Not necessarily. Travel partner for NAU perhaps? However, NMSU is even less likely to go to the BSC then Idaho. They might get invited back into the Sun Belt.

NAU already has a closer travel partner in SUU (300 mi). Las Cruces is 500 mi from Flagstaff, but only 46 mi from El Paso. UTEP is their natural travel partner; UTEP is rumored to be trying to get into the MWC. Maybe NMSU can come along or could replace UTEP in the Conf. USA. Both have strong Bball programs. Both options are far superior to the BSC. The BSC footprint is already out of control. Unlike Idaho, NMSU has never been at the FCS level, so they would be even more resistant to moving down.

 

[BearIt]

I bet Idaho and NMSU both wind up in the MWC. They want to round out to 12 teams similar to CUSA.

Another possibility is NMSU goes to the Sun Belt, then perhaps Montana gets an invite to the MWC to pair up with Idaho. I personally don't see this happening, but if the MWC really wants 12 that seems like a logical scenario.

Then again maybe MWC doesn't want 12.

 

[billings_poke]

I bet Idaho and NMSU both wind up in the MWC. They want to round out to 12 teams similar to CUSA.

I don't think NMSU or Idaho have a shot at the MWC. Close to zero actually. Simply better options are on the table and they haven't invested in their facilities. They have shown no commitment to athletics to stay in the FBS.

Texas State
La Lafayette
UC Davis
Montana
Montana St
UTEP

are just 4 of the better options

 

[SDHornet]

Why not work out some sort of arrangement where the WAC and the Big Sky could merge? It might be better for both.

Merge with what :?: You've got Idaho and New Mexico State probably remaining as a two team WAC. That's it - and NMSU is a bad fit. So all you have left is Idaho...

Not necessarily. Travel partner for NAU perhaps? However, NMSU is even less likely to go to the BSC then Idaho. They might get invited back into the Sun Belt.

NAU already has a closer travel partner in SUU (300 mi). Las Cruces is 500 mi from Flagstaff, but only 46 mi from El Paso. UTEP is their natural travel partner; UTEP is rumored to be trying to get into the MWC. Maybe NMSU can come along or could replace UTEP in the Conf. USA. Both have strong Bball programs. Both options are far superior to the BSC. The BSC footprint is already out of control. Unlike Idaho, NMSU has never been at the FCS level, so they would be even more resistant to moving down.

It’s been said on fan boards that NMSU’s two closest geographic rivals (UNM & UTEP) want nothing to do with NMSU as far as being conference mates are concerned. Kind of like how LA Tech wants nothing to do with ULM (or ULL I don’t recall which one they hate) which is why they never considered joining the Sun Belt even though it made more geographic sense.