ManzanoWolf
Sun Belt Nationalist
Posts: 2,831
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I Root For: stAte
Location: Phoenix Metro
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09-13-2012 08:26 PM |
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Burn the Horse
I'm Watching You
Posts: 8,626
Joined: Jun 2007
Reputation: 280
I Root For: TROY
Location: Heart of Dixie
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RE: NMSU to Big Sky ??
No chance the entire Big Sky moves UP to become an FBS Conference. I totally believe NMSU will move DOWN to the FCS to get in to a football Conference though, that is probably gonna happen. The Aggies won't survive as an Independent.
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09-13-2012 09:29 PM |
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arkstfan
Sorry folks
Posts: 25,818
Joined: Feb 2004
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I Root For: Fresh Starts
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RE: NMSU to Big Sky ??
Will the Big Sky move up?
Essentially zero possibility in the near-term (ie. 10 years).
Would NMSU join the Sky and stay football independent?
Clearly appears to be the plan.
Will Idaho or NMSU move to FCS?
My guess is that Idaho will make an FCS announcement within the next 15 months. Idaho State is almost certainly going to ask friendly legislators to gently nudge the Vandals that direction and I can't imagine Boise suddenly taking a positive helpful stance toward the Vandals either. Their travel situation makes scheduling quite difficult. They don't seem to have the resources to tap into to make the changes likely needed to hang on.
NMSU clearly has a better opportunity to remain viable. As long as UTEP and New Mexico continue playing them home/home they are assured a home game, they can buy an FCS, so they go in needing three more, and will only need two when they host Idaho until Idaho pulls the plug.
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09-14-2012 10:52 AM |
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FIUFan
All American
Posts: 4,498
Joined: Aug 2009
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I Root For: FIU
Location: Coral Gables, FL
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RE: NMSU to Big Sky ??
(09-14-2012 10:52 AM)arkstfan Wrote: Will the Big Sky move up?
Essentially zero possibility in the near-term (ie. 10 years).
Would NMSU join the Sky and stay football independent?
Clearly appears to be the plan.
Will Idaho or NMSU move to FCS?
My guess is that Idaho will make an FCS announcement within the next 15 months. Idaho State is almost certainly going to ask friendly legislators to gently nudge the Vandals that direction and I can't imagine Boise suddenly taking a positive helpful stance toward the Vandals either. Their travel situation makes scheduling quite difficult. They don't seem to have the resources to tap into to make the changes likely needed to hang on.
NMSU clearly has a better opportunity to remain viable. As long as UTEP and New Mexico continue playing them home/home they are assured a home game, they can buy an FCS, so they go in needing three more, and will only need two when they host Idaho until Idaho pulls the plug.
I think you're right about NMSU, however, after awhile, what are you playing for. Let's say they get their 5 home games, they still need to go on the road for 7 games each and every season, and most of those, I'm sure, are going to be of the bodybag variety. No real Bowl chance here, esp. with a program that has been struggling of late anyways.
A home game against New Mexico or UTEP plus an FCS and three random mid-majors can only sustain your program for so long, they aint Notre Dame. Two or three years of that and all their supporters start looking around and asking themselves, what the heck are we doing here?
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09-14-2012 11:21 AM |
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arkstfan
Sorry folks
Posts: 25,818
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I Root For: Fresh Starts
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NMSU to Big Sky ??
I think the NMSU plan is hang on and hope something happens with MWC, CUSA, or Sun Belt that opens a door.
I don't think they will know how long they can last until they reach the point where they can't.
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09-14-2012 01:33 PM |
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Ole Blue
Hall of Famer
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I Root For: The Good Guys
Location: New Jersey
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RE: NMSU to Big Sky ??
NMSU could sustain themselves in football independence for a while. I think the whole ND + 1 other to ACC move (which is in process) will eventually trickle down a bit so that they have an opportunity for movement. Maybe not for a few years, but it could happen.
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09-14-2012 01:37 PM |
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VideoGreenEagle
2nd String
Posts: 258
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I Root For: UNT
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RE: NMSU to Big Sky ??
NMSU didn't have to drop down to FCS/1Aa when most of us did. It would be a shame if they can't make a go of it today. But I still don't see where they will get in. Too far for the Belt and not wanted by either MWC or CUSA. if someone see leaves the MWC I'd think they'd be a shoo in, but I don't think anyone else is leaving for what's left of the big east.
Now Idaho is a totally different story. They ever ade a serious commitment to FBS or they woul have fixed their stadium situation by now. They have acted FS so long this is natural for tem.
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09-14-2012 08:57 PM |
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Curtzilla
2nd String
Posts: 453
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I Root For: Kyle Busch
Location: West of the Equator
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RE: NMSU to Big Sky ??
I think NMSU's best hope is for UTA to resurrect football, giving the SBC 11 footballers. If NMSU can't get fully in, they might be able to convince Benson/other prez's to add them football-only (offsetting UALR). Eastern teams would travel to Las Cruces football-only once every 4 years.
West:
NMSU/UALR
UTA
TxST
UL
ULM
ASU
East:
WKU
MTSU
USA
FAU
Troy
GSU
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09-14-2012 10:59 PM |
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Lolly Popp
Magically Delicious
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I Root For: Football
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RE: NMSU to Big Sky ??
NMSU has always been UD\I-A\FBS, so I hope they are not forced to drop to FCS now, after decades at the highest level. I think people underestimate the ability of NMSU to remain FBS. Their situation is better than that of Idaho. NMSU is well positioned to get 5 home games every year and the 7 road games will not be bodybags.
1) FCS opponent at home
2) New Mexico at home \ UTEP at home
3) UTEP on the road \ New Mexico on the road
4) BYU at home \ Army at home
5) Army on the road \ BYU on the road
6) Utah State at home \ Other MWC team at home
7) Other MWC team on the road \ Utah State on the road
8) First SBC or MAC team at home \ Second SBC or MAC team at home
9) Second SBC or MAC team on the road \ First SBC or MAC team on the road
10) Bodybag Game #1 on the road
11) Bodybag Game #2 on the road
12) Bodybag Game #3 on the road
The mutually agreed upon in-season home-and-home with Idaho can be used for games 8 and 9 until the Vandals are finally forced down to the Big Sky. I think BYU and Army could be persuaded to sign 1-for-1 deals with NMSU, same for longtime rival Utah State, and there have to be at least two SBC or MAC teams who would do it.
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09-16-2012 02:55 PM |
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