Big Sky Announces Future Schedules

[Skippy]

The conference is staying with one, 13-team division. ISU's designated "rivals" are Weber State and Portland State:

http://www.bigskyconf.com/news/2011/4/28/FB_0428110957.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After this season, ISU will not have a home game with Montana or Montana State until 2015.

 

[biobengal]

Out of all the designated rivals ISU and PSU stuck out as teh most unnatural pairing. ISU will play PSU and WSU the most during the 4 year span, 4 times each; ISU will play Sac, Cal Poly, EWU and UNC three times each; ISU will play MSU, UM, SUU, NAU, UCD and UND the least, just two times each. In a nutshell, ISU's schedule will be easier, it will put ISU in its primary recruiting areas more often, but may also fail to generate interest from fans.

I also noticed this:

Eastern Washington and Portland State, who now play for the “Dam Cup” will play the final weekend of the regular season, as will Idaho State and Weber State, and Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.

Apparently, Weber is willing to play ISU the last game of the year. There were some who thought it wouldn't happen because Utah and BYU play on that date as well.

 

[Skippy]

Apparently, Weber is willing to play ISU the last game of the year. There were some who thought it wouldn't happen because Utah and BYU play on that date as well.[/quote]

Not anymore -- BYU and Utah play Sept. 17 this year, and their "rivalry game" will be played early in the year with Utah's move to the PAC 12.

 

[biobengal]

Apparently, Weber is willing to play ISU the last game of the year. There were some who thought it wouldn't happen because Utah and BYU play on that date as well.

Not anymore -- BYU and Utah play Sept. 17 this year, and their "rivalry game" will be played early in the year with Utah's move to the PAC 12.

That would explain things... coincident with the game being played the last game of the year, ISU and WSU should get this named rivalry going, as some on the board have suggested.

 

[WILDCAT]

Weber State and Idaho State to meet on the final week of the season every year. :clap:


Step 1. Play game on rivalry weekend- CHECK

Step 2. Name the Rivalry-

Step 3. Create a traveling trophy-

 

[boisebengal]

I really don't see Portland State as a natural rival for ISU -- too far from Poky. Although the two teams have played some pretty good games in the past. Weber definitely is one, but we need to start beating them at least once in a while. I think that with the tradition that Montana has had, every team in the league will still be gunning for them, and whenever they play in Poky then there will always be good crowds on hand to see that game. Too bad that we at least couldn't have MSU as a rival, when you consider that Bozeman is only about 250 miles from Poky.

Down the road I really expect to see ISU resume their rivalry with Idaho. When you look at the fact that the WAC will probably completely disintegrate as a FB conference within the next few years or so, and the fact that Wazzu and BSU will do their best to continue to distance themselves from Idaho -- the Vandals will be left wondering who their rivals are. And actually the most natural rivals for them will eventually be ISU, Montana and EWU, despite their attitude of superiority towards those schools. And yes I could easily see them going back down to 1-AA in a few years. They're crazy if they think they can make it as a 1-A football independent -- it's not gonna happen.

 

[BengalSapper]

Idaho makes more as a losing FBS team than a winning FCS team. Idaho because of pride will never return to the BSC. Idaho will find a new home if the wac falls apart, Idaho left the Sun belt to join the WAC.

 

[boisebengal]

In the future how could they make more money? This season when BSU goes into the MWC, then ESPN will pay the WAC about a million dollars, instead of $4 million they paid them this season. And in a couple years when three more schools leave, then the league will probably get less than $100,000, according to an article in the Honolulu paper. And don't bet on there being any teams from the WAC going to a BCS bowl within the next few years. What options do they have to go into another conference, the MWC, the Sun Belt, and the MAC certainly don't want them. Maybe because of pride, they'll just go ahead and drop their program rather than go into the Big Sky. Let's hope so.

 

[biobengal]

I would also like to see Montana State on the schedule every year and it could happen, teams that don't play could schedule of non-conference game. However, would MSU be willing to schedule a Kramer led Bengal team?

 

[SLCBengal]

Speaking of Portland State... PGE Park (where PSU plays its football games) is now Jeld-Wen Field (home of the MLS Portland Timbers). With seating now available on both sides of the field, it looks like an even better place to play...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSjS1J8p588&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]