(05-19-2022 01:40 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  If there was a mutual demand for it, I suppose 5 western based FCS teams could join C-USA in a west division with UTEP and NMSU but I don’t know that either side desires it. I think the Big Sky schools and the Dakota ones are comfortable right where they are at.

There's a NDSU fan segment that believe they are ready for FBS. Should that happen that's going to spur the surrounding schools to act regarding FBS.

But NDSU suffers from geography, climate, and ego. Southern conferences don't want to come 1000 miles north; a fraction of NDSU fans believes it's MWC* ready (and again, I don't see the MWC picking direct from FCS).

All that said, I still believe Option 1: make your own nest.


*the MAC, CUSA, and SBC are already beneath this mindset

There isn't a "need" for most fans, the other 133 current FCS schools, or anyone else other than a couple of western FCS programs that might like to join the FBS level.

I guess if you're a NDSU fan and you want to be FBS, you need such a conference.

But this is like saying CUSA "needs" a big fat tv deal. It's not necessarily untrue, it just isn't something that anyone with no stake in it is going to be too concerned with.

(05-19-2022 02:13 PM)The Sicatoka Wrote:  

(05-19-2022 01:40 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  If there was a mutual demand for it, I suppose 5 western based FCS teams could join C-USA in a west division with UTEP and NMSU but I don’t know that either side desires it. I think the Big Sky schools and the Dakota ones are comfortable right where they are at.

There's a NDSU fan segment that believe they are ready for FBS. Should that happen that's going to spur the surrounding schools to act regarding FBS.

But NDSU suffers from geography, climate, and ego. Southern conferences don't want to come 1000 miles north; a fraction of NDSU fans believes it's MWC* ready (and again, I don't see the MWC picking direct from FCS).

All that said, I still believe Option 1: make your own nest.


*the MAC, CUSA, and SBC are already beneath this mindset

The problem with NDSU is that they are a hike from the footprint of every G5 league. About the only set up for them that makes sense is football only to a needy C-USA.

There’s also the need factor.

The MWC is happy where they are at. If future realignment creates a need for them, the Montanas and the CA trio are much more likely to get the call than a school that’s practically in Minnesota.

If the MAC needs a school, they are taking WKU. The Sunbelt can pull from C-USA. The AAC has better options than the Bisons.

(05-19-2022 02:13 PM)The Sicatoka Wrote:  But NDSU suffers from geography, climate, and ego. Southern conferences don't want to come 1000 miles north; a fraction of NDSU fans believes it's MWC* ready (and again, I don't see the MWC picking direct from FCS).

All that said, I still believe Option 1: make your own nest.


*the MAC, CUSA, and SBC are already beneath this mindset

NDSU should be talking to MAC and MWC if they are serious. If they think the MAC is beneath them, then how is a new "entry level" conference going to help? Would that conference instantly leap frog the MAC? Doubtful.

Tarleton St, who isn't even finished moving to D1-FCS has been rumored in the mix for CUSA. Really the last thing needed is another "entry level" conference.

It's a good idea in theory , but the logistics just don't work.
As others have pointed out, the WAC fell apart for a reason.

Another factor you gotta look at when comparing "east" conferences, there's a lot more schools and heavier competition, especially in the southeast. More schools, more competition, more money for facilities.

You mentioned some schools just don't have the facilities yet. Could a media deal help with that? Sure. But how long until those upgrades can be made?

I'd love to see schools like the Dakotas and Idaho make that move up. But on top of everything else, if you do a "Western CUSA" and stretch from the Dakotas to Idaho to AZ, that'll have to be a hell of a media deal for promised money because travel costs will be an even bigger factor. Which, from what I read is the Dakotas biggest detractors for joining MAC, CUSA, or MWC

Long story short, I think a lot of folks would like to see that, but logistically speaking, it's a hard sell

Are there FCS schools out West that could move up to FBS? Of course.

The question is, do they want to? I don’t think so.

I remember Montana and Montana State told the WAC no at the time UTSA and Texas State were courted. If I’m not mistaken, Northern Arizona was courted as well and they politely declined. NAU was attractive to the WAC for two reasons: having a presence in Arizona for the first time since 1978 and Phoenix is about two hours to the south from Flagstaff on I-17 and has a large alumni and fan base there. An NAU fan can correct me if I’m wrong.

A lot of people think the West is too far geographically spaced. I'd disagree.

(05-19-2022 02:52 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  Are there FCS schools out West that could move up to FBS? Of course.

The question is, do they want to? I don’t think so.

I remember Montana and Montana State told the WAC no at the time UTSA and Texas State were courted. If I’m not mistaken, Northern Arizona was courted as well and they politely declined. NAU was attractive to the WAC for two reasons: having a presence in Arizona for the first time since 1978 and Phoenix is about two hours to the south from Flagstaff on I-17 and has a large alumni and fan base there. An NAU fan can correct me if I’m wrong.

As far as location, size, alumni base, correct. I wouldn't doubt that the WAC contacted NAU (as well as UC-Davis and Cal Poly) but NAU is not in the position to move to FBS.

(05-19-2022 02:57 PM)Bronco14 Wrote:  A lot of people think the West is too far geographically spaced. I'd disagree.

Live out here a few years, you'll change your mind. I had the same failed perception when I first moved from Ohio. A couple "short" road trips cured me of that. San Francisco to Portland, two "adjacent" cities is like driving Boston to Miami. You fly and rent a car everywhere in the West.

As for the OP, wtf do we need another conference for? The WAC cannot even find schools in the west willing to join, so they grabbed a bunch of Texas schools.

I love it when people from New England (OP author) tell us what we need out here.

(05-19-2022 02:21 PM)inutech Wrote:  There isn't a "need" for most fans, the other 133 current FCS schools, or anyone else other than a couple of western FCS programs that might like to join the FBS level.

I guess if you're a NDSU fan and you want to be FBS, you need such a conference.

But this is like saying CUSA "needs" a big fat tv deal. It's not necessarily untrue, it just isn't something that anyone with no stake in it is going to be too concerned with.

Exactly. The thread title would have made more sense if it read "The Dakota schools need for a western FBS conference".

(05-19-2022 03:15 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  

(05-19-2022 02:57 PM)Bronco14 Wrote:  A lot of people think the West is too far geographically spaced. I'd disagree.

Live out here a few years, you'll change your mind. I had the same failed perception when I first moved from Ohio. A couple "short" road trips cured me of that. San Francisco to Portland, two "adjacent" cities is like driving Boston to Miami. You fly and rent a car everywhere in the West.

As for the OP, wtf do we need another conference for? The WAC cannot even find schools in the west willing to join, so they grabbed a bunch of Texas schools.

I love it when people from New England (OP author) tell us what we need out here.

It sure is fun when people who know little or nothing about the WAC or anything past the central time zone, have suggestions about conferences out here. It’s obvious they have never driven in Texas or Utah or have any knowledge about the D1 and D2 schools out here.

CUSA is half western and half southern.

The entry level conference now for both regions.

(05-19-2022 03:20 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  CUSA is half western and half southern.

The entry level conference now for both regions.

NMSU and UTEP are western. Sam Houston and LaTech really aren’t.

Long Beach State been talking adding football and joining MWC back around 2012. The questioned would be if the FCS schools and the non-football schools are serious to keep up with the P5 to still play the P5 schools? I don't think the FCS schools like Montana want to get stuck with the non-football schools where they will be outnumbered.

(05-19-2022 03:20 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  CUSA is half western and half southern.

The entry level conference now for both regions.

The Sunbelt is inviting an FCS program for next season.

(05-19-2022 03:36 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(05-19-2022 03:20 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  CUSA is half western and half southern.

The entry level conference now for both regions.

NMSU and UTEP are western. Sam Houston and LaTech really aren’t.

They are in rodeo country.

(05-19-2022 03:55 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-19-2022 03:36 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(05-19-2022 03:20 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  CUSA is half western and half southern.

The entry level conference now for both regions.

NMSU and UTEP are western. Sam Houston and LaTech really aren’t.

They are in rodeo country.

They don’t have rodeos in Alabama and Georgia?

(05-19-2022 04:49 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(05-19-2022 03:55 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-19-2022 03:36 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(05-19-2022 03:20 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  CUSA is half western and half southern.

The entry level conference now for both regions.

NMSU and UTEP are western. Sam Houston and LaTech really aren’t.

They are in rodeo country.

They don’t have rodeos in Alabama and Georgia?

Professional Bull Riding comes to Wright State University's Nutter Center outside Dayton every year

If there were enough viable and interested schools in the West, the problem would take care of itself, either through expansion or creation of a conference

(05-19-2022 03:10 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(05-19-2022 02:52 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  Are there FCS schools out West that could move up to FBS? Of course.

The question is, do they want to? I don’t think so.

I remember Montana and Montana State told the WAC no at the time UTSA and Texas State were courted. If I’m not mistaken, Northern Arizona was courted as well and they politely declined. NAU was attractive to the WAC for two reasons: having a presence in Arizona for the first time since 1978 and Phoenix is about two hours to the south from Flagstaff on I-17 and has a large alumni and fan base there. An NAU fan can correct me if I’m wrong.

As far as location, size, alumni base, correct. I wouldn't doubt that the WAC contacted NAU (as well as UC-Davis and Cal Poly) but NAU is not in the position to move to FBS.

At the end, the WAC ended with another Arizona school: Grand Canyon.