Big Sky looking at USD

[OKC_Poke]

Re: Two more Teams??

I think they are that desperate. Hawaii and Utah State are both looking at their options and to date Montana has not said ya or nay.

More than you can possibly know!!!!

USU is rumored to be heading for the Mountain West and Hawaii is looking at going Independent in Football and Big West for all other sports.

Rumor is the Montana schools, UTSA, and possibly a current I-A school UTEP will be invited to join in November. Seattle and Denver would also join as basketball-only schools since both can't get into the West Coast which would make more sense for those two.

[zooropa]

Re: Two more Teams??

How about SIU-Edwardsville? They would be an option.

They're in the OVC.

I have a sneaking suspicion, or maybe it's a hunch that USD will get invited to the MVFC.

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: Two more Teams??

They're in the OVC.

I have a sneaking suspicion, or maybe it's a hunch that USD will get invited to the MVFC.

I don't think so. I suspect that the Summit League's "exploration" of adding football to the league, was not a hit with the MVFC. And while the loss of SUU and possibly USD would affect the Summit, it won't affect the MVFC...so I don't expect to see any sudden "invite" by them in time to affect the difficulty of USD's decision.

Having said that, the loss of Centenary and SUU, without the prospect of USD and UND joining the Summit, certainly does cause some concern for the League. In that regard, the Summit may turn out being sorry for not getting UND into the conference earlier before the Big Sky came courting.

It is interesting to look back and see the change in the Big Sky's attitude...there was little interest in reaching east for adding members when we were heading for D-1...but now they are scrambling to reach east.

[zooropa]

Re: Two more Teams??

I don't think so. I suspect that the Summit League's "exploration" of adding football to the league, was not a hit with the MVFC. And while the loss of SUU and possibly USD would affect the Summit, it won't affect the MVFC...so I don't expect to see any sudden "invite" by them in time to affect the difficulty of USD's decision.

Having said that, the loss of Centenary and SUU, without the prospect of USD and UND joining the Summit, certainly does cause some concern for the League. In that regard, the Summit may turn out being sorry for not getting UND into the conference earlier before the Big Sky came courting.

It is interesting to look back and see the change in the Big Sky's attitude...there was little interest in reaching east for adding members when we were heading for D-1...but now they are scrambling to reach east.

I respectfully disagree:

Consider: USD already has 3 of 9 votes at the Valley in its pocket. Mo. State and UNI would probably be easy to convince and with proper scheduling USD would not increase travel costs for the eastern members (ISUs, SIU, YSU).

Further: An unstable Summit means an unstable Valley. If the Summit collapses, are the xDSUs likely to get into the Horizon or Valley? Emphatically, no.

If anything, the xDSUs will end up looking at the Big Sky, which means *bam* 7 schools in the Valley and *no* FCS expansion possibilities in the region.

Finally: The Summit handled the UND situation properly, IMO. That school had (still, has, perhaps) an unhealthy fixation with its nickname, and an incredibly warped view of its place in the world. I believe the Summit treated UND appropriately by saying, in effect, "get your house in order and then we'll talk."

[da_coach]

Re: Big Sky looking at USD

I do think with all the shifting of teams and whatnot, the loss of Boise State the WAC should definately look at Montana. Solid program.

The question is if Montana wants to step up with the big boys. Montana State will follow Montana's lead.

If the BSC loses those two schools, I think it becomes very important for them to add the xSD schools.

UND has basically nothing to lose by doing this. USD... very interesting.

[BTownJack]

Re: Two more Teams??

***NO SMACK INTENDED***

Considering USD consider's their biggest game of the year to be against SDSU, I don't see them leaving the Summit League before even playing a single game in it. Not to mention the $500,000 buyout (which the Big Sky might offer to pay if they really want them).

Read Terry's blog post from today here. He sums up USD's situation very well and I agree with everything that he says. The travel costs of being in the Big Sky would cripple USD's budget in all sports other than football. Quick fix for USD is to jump to the Big Sky now because then they have a home for all their sports (especially football). Long term the Summit is a better geographic fit and hope they soon get into the MVFC or the Summit adds football.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Two more Teams??

One thing that hasn't been mentioned in the blogs, but could being in the Big Sky put USD at a huge disadvantage for local recruiting?

Playing in the BSC would make it more difficult (if not impossible) for parents of local athletes to follow their child's collegiate career. Granted, they could watch internet feeds, follow live blogs, etc.

But for example, if you're a Sioux Falls high school football player looking at USD or SDSU:

Go to SDSU, an Argus Leader reporter files stories on pretty much every game in time for the Sunday edition. All road games except Youngstown would be within weekend driving distance.

Go to USD, abbreviated news stories might appear in the Sunday Argus if a reporter was even sent to the game. The only road game within weekend driving distance would be UNC. Even if MT and MT St. stay in the BSC, those are some pretty salty road trips by car.

If I was a parent, I would push my kid to SDSU so I could see pretty much every collegiate game they played in.

[zooropa]

Re: Two more Teams??

Being independent (in football) wouldn't help recruiting.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Two more Teams??

Being independent (in football) wouldn't help recruiting.

For local recruits (within 150 miles of campus) would being independent be better or worse than being in the Big Sky? I'm not convinced.

Especially considering SDSU, NDSU, and UNI are all going after the same kids saying "you can be there for every collegiate game your son will play."

USD would be able to sell recruits and their parents on the possibility of an at-large bid to the playoffs due to being Independent. I don't think they win many local recruiting battles against xDSU's and UNI if they go to the Big Sky.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Two more Teams??

I don't know if anybody has posted it yet, but here is a map of the FCS schools across the country:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...AA_schools.png

At one time, I would have loved being in the Big Sky. Looking at their footprint compared to the MVFC, I must have been crazy or desperate.

[Nidaros]

Re: Two more Teams??

***NO SMACK INTENDED***

Considering USD consider's their biggest game of the year to be against SDSU, I don't see them leaving the Summit League before even playing a single game in it. Not to mention the $500,000 buyout (which the Big Sky might offer to pay if they really want them).

Read Terry's blog post from today here. He sums up USD's situation very well and I agree with everything that he says. The travel costs of being in the Big Sky would cripple USD's budget in all sports other than football. Quick fix for USD is to jump to the Big Sky now because then they have a home for all their sports (especially football). Long term the Summit is a better geographic fit and hope they soon get into the MVFC or the Summit adds football.

USD does have to consider a number of factors, and it will not be an easy choice. I tend to think travel costs are going to be a big major consideration. Remember they took a bus ride to the east cost to play a D2 school a couple years back. I think that Track and field will be riding a bus a great deal if they join the BSC.
Their donors are not to motivated to pay for travel costs and I really dont blame them. I too hope they find a place in the MVFB conference, but as Jack#1Fan said in an earlier post the MVFC is separate from the Summit and if they feel no urge to add USD and UND, then it might not happen any time soon.

I believe TV is doing a good job keeping his eye on USD, even though its out of his assigned duties.

[goon]

Re: Two more Teams??

USD does have to consider a number of factors, and it will not be an easy choice. I tend to think travel costs are going to be a big major consideration. Remember they took a bus ride to the east cost to play a D2 school a couple years back. I think that Track and field will be riding a bus a great deal if they join the BSC.
Their donors are not to motivated to pay for travel costs and I really dont blame them. I too hope they find a place in the MVFB conference, but as Jack#1Fan said in an earlier post the MVFC is separate from the Summit and if they feel no urge to add USD and UND, then it might not happen any time soon.

I believe TV is doing a good job keeping his eye on USD, even though its out of his assigned duties.

I would not be surprised to see USD looking at cutting some sports again if thats what it would take. It would be most unfortunately but There are some I am sure will be on the chopping block if they go Big Sky and if money does not improve.

[BTownJack]

Re: Two more Teams??

I would not be surprised to see USD looking at cutting some sports again if thats what it would take. It would be most unfortunately but There are some I am sure will be on the chopping block if they go Big Sky and if money does not improve.

They don't have the luxury of cutting any more than one program. They currently have 6 mens and 9 women's program for a total of 15. You have to sponsor 14 total sports to be a D-I school.

[jackmd]

Re: Two more Teams??

Being independent would be horrible. Scheduling would be a nightmare, finding home games against quality opponents impossible, no chance at an autobid and almost no chance at an at large bid because of what I already posted. Those uncertainties alone would scare most sane recruits away immediately. Add in the fact its the yotes and there only real chance is to become a conference member somewhere, soon.

[hareball]

Re: Two more Teams??

Back to the topic of the thread, what is the long-term future of the Summit if down to 8 teams?