There's been some chatter in the past.
NDSU & JMU being added to AAC as Football Only, or even just NDSU.
NDSU wants to move up, AAC & MWC are only true options.
NDSU 8 FCS titles, 133-9 in last 10 years, Soon to have 2 top 5 QB's in a NFL Draft in last 5 years.
What would NDSU add to the conference?
I demand a freezer full of fresh bison meat yearly.
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Agree that AAC would not be interested in adding a FCS program.
Apparently, the MAC is the only likely option for NDSU from a travel standpoint, and apparently, they're not interested in joining the MAC.
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We could do worse - and probably will - but
No.
I've become fairly well connected to NDSU over the last 10 years (been to games there/had a job lined up there before Covid struck) so the prism I look at the school and its athletic department is much different than most on here. I 100% believe they would immediately be a factor in the AAC from a competitive standpoint ala Marshall in the MAC, App State in the SBC when those 1-AA/FCS powers moved up. In fact, I'd argue that NDSU is even better position to move up given their absurd history of success. The program is built on such a foundation that anything other than winning is simply not an option.
NDSU's Team Makers Booster Club (I'm likely playing in their Twin Cities Golf Tourney in early June) fundraising capabilities rival some organizations tied to P5 schools. Unless you've been to Fargo for a game you simply can't grasp the passion and environment that exists there. It's next level. Even compared to the Montana schools (I lived in Bozeman for a few years, been to both schools for games) and Delaware during the Hen's heyday under Tubby Raymond, NDSU feels way more "big time".
With all that said, the AAC won't let NDSU in and it has nothing to do with the Bison's ability to produce a Top 40/25 FBS football program. Politics, ego and $$$ rule the world.
Considering all these crappy FCS additions to the FBS, NDSU deservers to be in the FBS.
With that being said the AAC is not going to be that FBS conference.
I’d take them over the usual suspects list of big market, no recognition CUSA programs.
The AAC has actually helped three programs that were dogschit before the AAC: SMU, Memphis, and Tulane.
NDSU is different. The question is "do they convert to FBS?". If they do, then that's a 9-3 program at this level of play.
Realignment does different things to different schools.
(03-21-2021 07:41 PM)OldFan Wrote: [ -> ]What would NDSU add to the conference?
As an FCS school, they're the opposite of what the AAC is looking for in terms of brand or prestige, and they're not an upper-tier school academically or in research. In addition, they're "out in the sticks" and can't generate a lot of regional viewership.
If not for those limitations, they would strengthen the conference in football, and as some have suggested, might have a very positive impact similar to the impact of adding a bowl-quality FB school such as Marshall, App State, or Louisiana.
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(03-21-2021 10:15 PM)jedclampett Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2021 07:41 PM)OldFan Wrote: [ -> ]What would NDSU add to the conference?
As an FCS school, they're the opposite of what the AAC is looking for in terms of brand or prestige, and they're not an upper-tier school academically or in research. In addition, they're "out in the sticks" and can't generate a lot of regional viewership.
If not for those limitations, they would strengthen the conference in football, and as some have suggested, might have a very positive impact similar to the impact of adding a bowl-quality FB school such as Marshall, App State, or Louisiana.
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Assuming the MWC teams are no-go, App for FB-only is the best choice. They are a strong FB program with a legit reputation. But NDSU would not be treated like a normal FCS move-up by ESPN and the media. Their reputation is legit in FCS, and it’d be a lot of stories about whether they can keep up their level of domination. Plus as a FB-only, we could always cut them loose if they became an anchor.
(03-21-2021 10:15 PM)jedclampett Wrote: [ -> ] (03-21-2021 07:41 PM)OldFan Wrote: [ -> ]What would NDSU add to the conference?
As an FCS school, they're the opposite of what the AAC is looking for in terms of brand or prestige, and they're not an upper-tier school academically or in research. In addition, they're "out in the sticks" and can't generate a lot of regional viewership.
If not for those limitations, they would strengthen the conference in football, and as some have suggested, might have a very positive impact similar to the impact of adding a bowl-quality FB school such as Marshall, App State, or Louisiana.
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Fargo is "out in the sticks" more on reputation than fact. You can easily fly into MSP and take an easy cruise up I-94 to Fargo. NDSU has a significant presence in the Twin Cities and much of Minnesota for that matter. They drew 35k for a game against lowly Pioneer Football League member Butler at Target Field in Minneapolis in 2019. I'm pretty sure they have another game scheduled at Twins digs in the near future. As I mentioned previously, one of their booster club's big fundraising golf tournaments is held in Eden Prairie due to the school's influence in the Twin Cities.
NDSU's men's basketball program is also pretty darn good. They've been a consistent force in the Summit League since moving up from D2. The Scheel's Center was recently renovated and would be more than adequate for the AAC or MWC. The Fargo Dome could potentially be used for bigger games.
A major issue NDSU has is the Fargo Dome and climate. The building was built in a manner (due to load bearing issues) that it can only be expanded modestly. It's also owned by the city of Fargo so there's some potential political hurdles. Then there's the fact it can get damn cold in Fargo once late October/early November hit. Granted, generally it's in the 30 or 40s but sub-zero temps are within the realm of possibility. Bottom line, NDSU would need to upgrade their football stadium in order to make the jump.
IMO, the biggest hurdle facing NDSU's move to FBS is the University of North Dakota. The two schools are joined at the hip. They both have such an influence on the state's academic and athletic culture (especially football and hockey) that I can't see one them being in a separate football classification. The Montana FCS schools are married in the same manner.
I’d think NDSU would have a better shot at joining the MW as a replacement team if the AAC is successful at raiding the MW of a team (or teams). I dont really see any FCS as a viable option for the AAC #12 slot—-certainly not one so far removed from the existing footprint.
NDSU will have 2 QB taking in Top 5 NFL draft in 5 years
ESPN Gameday 3 appearances
NDSU has a very good National Brand.
NDSU has a fanbase that travels, just ask Frisco/Dallas Texas when we take 25,000 there each title game.
NDSU is a regional school, its over 50% Minnesota kids, so you get the Minneapolis area without the gophers.
NDSU refuses the MAC and Mountain West doesnt want NDSU in because we'd dominate like Boise State does.
(03-22-2021 10:35 AM)lakesbison Wrote: [ -> ]NDSU will have 2 QB taking in Top 5 NFL draft in 5 years
ESPN Gameday 3 appearances
NDSU has a very good National Brand.
NDSU has a fanbase that travels, just ask Frisco/Dallas Texas when we take 25,000 there each title game.
NDSU is a regional school, its over 50% Minnesota kids, so you get the Minneapolis area without the gophers.
NDSU refuses the MAC and Mountain West doesnt want NDSU in because we'd dominate like Boise State does.
If the MAC really would take NDSU, then NDSU should take that. Go there and dominate that conference. Then you will get yourself promoted to the MWC or AAC. It's unlikely the MWC or AAC are going to take an FCS team, but if NDSU were winning 10+ in the MAC every year, that discussion would be different after a few years.
But, there's a lot not to like about the MAC, especially mid-week MACtion, which murders attendance in favor of being on national TV. I can see where NDSU is thinking that winning FCS national titles in front of a sold out dome on Saturdays is better than the MAC's set up. But I also don't know that any amount of FCS titles is going to lead to a better conference than the MAC unless the WAC actually does manage to sponsor FBS football again in the future.