(11-10-2018 04:19 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  I reviewed the feasibility studies of the three schools looking at moving up, and comments from Chris Mycoskie (Southland Conference assistant commissioner) who has more direct information, and I can sum each up this way:

UT Rio Grande Valley: "FBS or nothing" - Mycoskie. This was my read of their feasibility study as well. SLC did talk to them
Tarleton State: FCS, doesn't look like SLC has much interest. approached by WAC, seriously considering it, FB needs a home if moving up
Dixie State: FCS, approached by WAC, seriously considering it, need FB home if moving up
Metro State: no football, approached by WAC, looking into feasibility of moving up
Azusa Pacific: D-II football, GNAC near death, poor finances make move up unlikely ... crickets, no buzz
Central Washington: D-II football, GNAC near death, looking at RMAC for football. Not moving up, budget only 30% of FCS level.

Big Sky associates UC Davis and Cal Poly have zero incentive to switch. Looked up Big Sky membership rule/bylaws and it looks like they are in the Big Sky as Associate members for as long as they want to be there. Once in you are in, no provision for renewal (it's not a contract agreement like you see in other conferences for a set term), no provision for removal. And importantly no incentive to exit.
https://static.bigskyconf.com/custompage...4-2015.pdf

So FCS football looks pretty much impossible, there is no plausible path to 6 teams. That probably stops adding either Dixie State or Tarleton State to the WAC. Metro State doesn't have that restriction, but they are in the most preliminary stages of investigation; it may be different next year.

This entire situation has to many moving parts working independently of each other to make it happen. Dixie State and Tarleton State want to protect football so I don't see them moving up without that guarantee. If the WAC had genuine confirmed commitments from 6 Big Sky and Southland schools to join first then it might be a different story. I believe Metro State is just doing the study as a neighborly courtesy to the WAC reaching out to them. There is no real desire at Azusa Pacific or Central Washington for D1.