Jason Groves @JPGroves

Just spoke with Regent Chair Debra Hicks NMSU will be a football independent after their Sun Belt membership expires in 2017. Story coming

Two main factors played into committee consensus. There was a resolution in place the regents passed in 2013. Also financial considerations

athletic review committee is still considering Olympic sports conference affiliation. FCS vs. FBS was considered separately.

Hicks said NMSU has delayed a Big Sky Conference visit to Las Cruces. Said the Horizon League has expressed interest in NMSU

Don't know what kind of pull you have, but if you can, have your AD call our
AssHat of an AD, and let's see if we can't get a H&H once you go Indy . . .

Wish you guys all the best moving forward . . .

Jason Groves @JPGroves

1 of 2 Hicks on why football was agreed upon first: Idaho just happened and that has created a firestorm.

We have student athletes who are very interested in what they are playing in the next few years. That was a critical decision

Hicks did say President Carruthers was in agreement in FBS Independence while the committee reviews conference alignment for other sports

(05-05-2016 12:39 PM)Bobcat87 Wrote:  Don't know what kind of pull you have, but if you can, have your AD call our
AssHat of an AD, and let's see if we can't get a H&H once you go Indy . . .

Wish you guys all the best moving forward . . .

Unfortunately I do not have that kind of pull, but know some who do.

As long as New Mexico and UTEP will play you at home, no reason at all to drop to FCS. None.

(05-05-2016 12:47 PM)MissouriStateBears Wrote:  As long as New Mexico and UTEP will play you at home, no reason at all to drop to FCS. None.

Agree with this statement.

I, too, hope that we continue playing one another

Happy for you guys!!! This is great news.

Indy schedule shouldn't be terribly difficult for NMSU

UTEP and NM are automatics. UMass is easy to schedule since they are also independent. BYU would almost certainly be agreeable as well, and there is the potential to pick up an independent Army.

From there, there will always be a couple SBC teams willing to play, Hawaii always needs an opponent or two, and the P5's can fill in other spots along with your token FCS.

Good news . . NMSU belongs in FBS along with UNM and UTEP . . I am sure there will be SBC and other G5 schools very willing to do H&H with NMSU.

Wonder if Texas St and NMSU sign on for a series.

I'm pretty sure our AD would schedule you guys Home and Home for FB in return for a basketball series.

(05-05-2016 01:28 PM)DoubletapWolf Wrote:  Good news . . NMSU belongs in FBS along with UNM and UTEP . . I am sure there will be SBC and other G5 schools very willing to do H&H with NMSU.

I agree it's great news! I really was hoping to see NMSU get the all sports invite and I'm glad you won't be going FCS.

But Horizon League? Isn't that a bit of a stretch seeing that's a mid-western basketball conference 1/2 a country away.

(05-05-2016 12:47 PM)MissouriStateBears Wrote:  As long as New Mexico and UTEP will play you at home, no reason at all to drop to FCS. None.

Yup. A better situation that Idaho had.


If Idaho had similar agreements with Boise State and Washington State, that might have changed the outcome.

Jason Groves @JPGroves

According to Hicks, committee found that a move to FCS would have cost the university an estimated $2.38 million compared to FBS Indy

Money games and lack of projected sponsorships two biggest pieces to the financial estimates

Financial estimates were based on two money games but I would not be surprised to see NMSU schedule at least three as an independent

Article on it.

(05-05-2016 02:16 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  Jason Groves @JPGroves

According to Hicks, committee found that a move to FCS would have cost the university an estimated $2.38 million compared to FBS Indy

Money games and lack of projected sponsorships two biggest pieces to the financial estimates

Financial estimates were based on two money games but I would not be surprised to see NMSU schedule at least three as an independent

At $1.6 million or so a game, they are admitting that the only way to make FBS more profitable is to become the Washington Generals of FBS.

(05-05-2016 03:09 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(05-05-2016 02:16 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  Jason Groves @JPGroves

According to Hicks, committee found that a move to FCS would have cost the university an estimated $2.38 million compared to FBS Indy

Money games and lack of projected sponsorships two biggest pieces to the financial estimates

Financial estimates were based on two money games but I would not be surprised to see NMSU schedule at least three as an independent

At $1.6 million or so a game, they are admitting that the only way to make FBS more profitable is to become the Washington Generals of FBS.

I think Army (bless their hearts) has that title sewn up.

Good plan. With more possible realignment on the way due to potential Big 12 expansion, NMSU's best bet is to stay the FBS course and wait for chairs to open up. NMSU is a better candidate for several G5 leagues than Idaho was.

(05-05-2016 02:51 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  Article on it.

Congrats on the news.

NMSU should stay in because it has a real shot at CUSA/SBC if there is any movement.

Say if CUSA loses 1 and adds Louisiana. SBC West will need an addition this time and NMSU is probably a shoe-in.

(05-05-2016 02:51 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  Article on it.

This story has just been updated. More info about how the decision was made.