Well Griz it appears MWC may be going very big

[billings_poke]

You interested in this regional division of 14 - 15 teams in the WEST? Listen to the interview of ECU president.

Per ECU Chancellor Steve Ballard on the merger of the MWC and CUSA. TV and other info. Thew WAC just Died

Ok guy's this info is per ECU Chancellor Steve Ballard. The league will be finalized and have a name by May hopefully sooner lawyers are at work. The league will likely add two to four members to move to 18 or 20 teams by the end of summer. Thats is where the league will stay for now but will eventually go to 24 to even 30 teams but that is a couple of years down the road. We are in talks with 3 TV networks all three have very high interest and the payouts per team will be much higher than each team in C-USA and MWC get now with their TV deals. He did mention FOX by name but not the other two but I'm hearing NBC Sports and CBS Sports Network.

http://www.pirateradio1250.com/pod/special/SteveBallardPressConf_021412.mp3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[griz4life]

This is what I thought was possible. Teams from midsized markets in different regions could be paired up for midweek matchups for regional broadast. Probably corner the bodybag game market, too. Is that what the Griz aspire to?
These conferences are a long ways from their angle of repose. There's no rush.

 

[billings_poke]

Actually Griz4life they are talking very regional competition with no cross country travel in any sport. Western teams will stay west until the Championship games and tournaments. They are also saying there will be few to no mid week games and if there are a few only if the individual school agrees to it. ESPN is not involved it appears but rather FOX, CBS, and NBC (versus) Yes all the teams left that are not in the top 6 are locking up all remaining FBS football TV rights to get as much TV cash as they can. Your statement is opposite of the interview.

In the West the only two conferences will be the PAC and the MWCUSA western division. Nothing else will remain if this pans out over the next couple of years.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Actually Griz4life they are talking very regional competition with no cross country travel in any sport. Western teams will stay west until the Championship games and tournaments. They are also saying there will be few to no mid week games and if there are a few only if the individual school agrees to it. ESPN is not involved it appears but rather FOX, CBS, and NBC (versus) Yes all the teams left that are not in the top 6 are locking up all remaining FBS football TV rights to get as much TV cash as they can. Your statement is opposite of the interview.

In the West the only two conferences will be the PAC and the MWCUSA western division. Nothing else will remain if this pans out over the next couple of years.

Well, THAT kind of limits the Griz' choices now, doesn't it? :? :?

 

[AZGrizFan]

So, if the "West" region is as follows:

Nevada
UNLV
New Mexico
New Mexico State
Fresno State
Utah State
San Jose State
Wyoming
Air Force
Colorado State
UTEP
Hawaii
Idaho (for arguments sake)

2 questions come to mind:

1) WHY combine with C-USA?
2) Why WOULDN'T the Griz want to be a part of that?

 

[George Ferguson]

it would have limited UM's choices had the university not formally announced tat it's STAYING FCS for the forseeable future...

 

[George Ferguson]

why wouldn't the Griz want to be a part of that? where is the proof they've been asked to be a part of this new conference? the griz were NEVER invited to the MWC!

 

[AZGrizFan]

why wouldn't the Griz want to be a part of that? where is the proof they've been asked to be a part of this new conference? the griz were NEVER invited to the MWC!

Has anybody said they were? It's a hypothetical question....don't give yourself the vapors.

 

[MrTitleist]

2 questions come to mind:

1) WHY combine with C-USA?
2) Why WOULDN'T the Griz want to be a part of that?

Strength in numbers. With this many teams they can hold the BCS teams hostage for pay days (since BCS teams don't like playing each other OOC), they will negotiate a bigger TV deal than any of them currently have, and with this many teams they cannot be ignored. This move was to keep them from being part of the "have-nots" like the MAC, WAC (if their teams are not eaten alive by this new conference), and Sun Belt.

 

[MrTitleist]

Here's more of an answer to your question, Az. http://www.thedaily.com/page/2012/02/15/021512-sports-wolken-column-colleges-1-3/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[grizrgood]

2 questions come to mind:

1) WHY combine with C-USA?
2) Why WOULDN'T the Griz want to be a part of that?

Strength in numbers. With this many teams they can hold the BCS teams hostage for pay days (since BCS teams don't like playing each other OOC), they will negotiate a bigger TV deal than any of them currently have, and with this many teams they cannot be ignored. This move was to keep them from being part of the "have-nots" like the MAC, WAC (if their teams are not eaten alive by this new conference), and Sun Belt.

All the conference movement predictions are certainly panning out. It will be interesting to see how all of this shakes out and if or how it effects U of M!

 

[AZGrizFan]

Here's more of an answer to your question, Az. http://www.thedaily.com/page/2012/02/15/021512-sports-wolken-column-colleges-1-3/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Though they’ll talk about increasing their exposure and getting a better television contract, the true goal for the MWC/C-USA is to create a layer between the power conferences and the dregs of Div. I and hope they’ll have enough clout to come along if the gap between the haves and have-nots ever reaches the point of separation.

Schools at the lower end of the spectrum are more fearful than ever that the changes will either hurt their already flagging ability to compete or eliminate it entirely.

Nobody at Fresno State imagined or wanted to be in a conference with Marshall, but at this point it’s a necessity. Just as there’s now a clear distinction between the Big East and the MWC/C-USA, there’s now a clear distinction between the MWC/C-USA and everyone else. That doesn’t ensure the viability of those programs as college athletics continues to evolve and power consolidates at the top of the food chain. But at least they have a chance.

I think he's spot on, no matter how they spin it.

 

[MrTitleist]

Most people recognize (except the ones currently experiencing vapor lock due to this realignment) that this HAS to be done for survival.. you either work to keep up, or you become the WAC. The MW/CUSA doesn't want to be the WAC.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Most people recognize (except the ones currently experiencing vapor lock due to this realignment) that this HAS to be done for survival.. you either work to keep up, or you become the WAC. The MW/CUSA doesn't want to be the WAC.

Well, I don't think there's any doubt the WAC is toast, and that Utah State, San Jose State and ultimately Idaho will be included in this conglomeration. Particularly if they're serious about 30 teams. Christ, the MWC/CUSA conglomeration just might be it's OWN level of football.

 

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

2) Why WOULDN'T the Griz want to be a part of that?

No playoff system.

Game over, end of conversation.

 

[Copper Griz]

2) Why WOULDN'T the Griz want to be a part of that?

No playoff system.

Game over, end of conversation.

:thumb: :thumb: Thank you for pointing out the real down side of considering "moving up". I really don't want to watch the Griz play in the Dorito's Bowl in late January or early December. I will take playoffs any day of the week and I think "moving up" may equate to moving down in attendance figures. Don't screw with a good thing!

 

[EverettGriz]

But what if those playoffs don't include teams like: App State, Ga So, Furman, Delaware, UNH, JMU, SHSU, NDSU, UNI, Youngstown, Maine, ODU, et al? Would the playoffs still be so great?

 

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

A 16 team FCS playoff bracket with teams like Chadron St, Dixie St, Prairie View, Coastal Carolina, San Diego, Monmouth, Robert Morris, UT Martin, VMI, SE Lousiana, Norfolk St, Drake, Fordham, Dayton and Montana State and Marist..........is better than any Alabama/LSU, USC/Oklahoma bowl game.

 

[getgrizzy]

But what if those playoffs don't include teams like: App State, Ga So, Furman, Delaware, UNH, JMU, SHSU, NDSU, UNI, Youngstown, Maine, ODU, et al? Would the playoffs still be so great?

they've done pretty well without boise state, nevada, idaho, troy state, western kentucky, marshall, arkansas state, louisiana tech. a 2-3-4 game run through the playoffs regardless of who it is, will always be more fun than one turd bowl game.

 

[Paytonlives]

2) Why WOULDN'T the Griz want to be a part of that?

No playoff system.

Game over, end of conversation.

:thumb: :thumb: Thank you for pointing out the real down side of considering "moving up". I really don't want to watch the Griz play in the Dorito's Bowl in late January or early December. I will take playoffs any day of the week and I think "moving up" may equate to moving down in attendance figures. Don't screw with a good thing!

I think the playoffs might be on the way out... money loser every year.