The Dakota schools have come a long way in a short time so far this year

ND ST spoiled Turner Gill's home opener with the Bison beating Kansas 6-3 while South Dakota's offense exploded on Minnesota defeating the Gophers 31-28. Adding some or all of the Dakota teams puts the WAC on TV in the central time zone(the western edge of it) and 3 of the 4 programs play in indoor stadiums. FOod for thought

(09-14-2010 01:23 AM)David Krysakowski Wrote:  It's starting to looking like this for the WAC in 2012 (maybe):

Hawaii, Idaho, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, New Mexico State, Portland State, Sacramento State, San Jose State, Utah State

What do you mean it's "starting to look like this"???? There's been virtually no public comment by anyone from the WAC or the involved schools. The only names that have gotten out are UTSA and Texas State. They are presenting to the WAC membership board here shortly. The idea of Idaho State is beyond laughable. The others are questionable; only Montana has the budget to pull it off, and they don't appear to be interested.

What's far more likely from the public information is that you'd get Hawaii (with their own separate TV deal), Idaho, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Utah State + UTSA, Texas State, and one more team. 8 football teams. The question is that last team - could be Montana. It could also be UC-Davis or Sacramento State, but given California's massive budget woes, they both seem unlikely. Then there's Portland State...possibly, but they also don't look to have the budget to support themselves in the WAC. North Dakota or North Dakota State will have a big influx of state money as the Dakotas are in a boom, but they just recently moved up to FCS. But they might actually be the most likely of those schools besides Montana. A possible wildcard might be Northern Arizona, but their budget numbers don't look real strong either. It really looks like the WAC will have a tough time finding an 8th football team.

And there has been public comment the WAC will look at adding Denver and Seattle to strengthen the non-football sides of the conference in terms of membership. I'd also like to see them add Utah Valley, but I haven't heard that mentioned.

Any possibility of Lamar moving up to FBS? Billy Tubbs has been pushing the idea of them returning to college football's highest level since Lamar hired him. The only drawback is the Cardinals are playing their first season at any level since 1989 this year.

WAC: Hawaii, Idaho, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, New Mexico State, Portland State, Sacramento State, San Jose State, Utah State
Big Sky: Cal-Davis, Cal Poly, Central Washington, Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Southern Utah, Weber State, Western Oregon

LMAO. D-2 teams moving up to FBS? You're on crack dude. Do you have any understanding of the finances involved in college athletics?

Yes I do. The Big Sky is going to need replacements if they get raided by the WAC.

The Big Sky is going to have to look at the Dakota schools to find members. CWU and WOU aren't moving up; neither is WWU, even though you didn't list them.

I've long envisioned the best of the Big Sky and Summit/Missouri Valley Football Conference getting together.

All 4 of the Dakota schools have done a reasonably good job.

I didn't list Western Washington because they just dropped football. All 4 Dakota schools will be in the Missouri Valley Football Conference eventually. I can't think that they would travel all the way out to the West Coast when they can stay in there back yard. The reason I mentioned Central Washington & Western Oregon is because they are only Division 2 schools in the area that have football. Most Division 2 schools are east of the rockies.