End of the Protected BSC Rivalry with UM

[EWURanger]

Much like UM, we could beat Idaho 20 times in a row and most of their fans would still believe they have the better program. Most are delusional.

I'm not as concerned about who we are playing in the BSC as I am getting back to another national championship game. Whoever we have to beat along the way is just part of the process.

 

[LDopaPDX]

So who becomes Montana State's second rivalry? Their second rivalry was a contrived one against UND. It never really fit. We, obviously, have a lengthy history with MSU and for a few years were competing with them for conference titles. EWU/MSU seems a far more natural rivalry than our bogus one with Portland State, and I can't imagine Montana State could get a second rivalry that would be better than us.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Well Idaho fans seem "thrilled" with this news.

https://scout.com/college/idaho/Board/103901/Contents/Protected-rivals-are-set-108134949

Anyone got news on how Idaho is handling the reduction of schollies? While I can't say I heard this from a good source, it is my understanding they are still using the FBS limit on schollies, meaning they have to cut 22 kids next season. I can't imagine they are considering just not recruiting a freshman class.

 

[scottywashere11]

So who becomes Montana State's second rivalry? Their second rivalry was a contrived one against UND. It never really fit. We, obviously, have a lengthy history with MSU and for a few years were competing with them for conference titles. EWU/MSU seems a far more natural rivalry than our bogus one with Portland State, and I can't imagine Montana State could get a second rivalry that would be better than us.

But in that scenario, we would have:

UM- UI, MSU
MSU: UI, EWU
UI: UM, EWU
EWU: MSU, UI

...We might as well make a new conference in that case lol. We would be neglecting the rest of the conference every year haha. We already are to an extent. The BSC already has teams like NAU with SUU and UNC as their protected rivals.

 

[LDopaPDX]

So who becomes Montana State's second rivalry? Their second rivalry was a contrived one against UND. It never really fit. We, obviously, have a lengthy history with MSU and for a few years were competing with them for conference titles. EWU/MSU seems a far more natural rivalry than our bogus one with Portland State, and I can't imagine Montana State could get a second rivalry that would be better than us.

But in that scenario, we would have:

UM- UI, MSU
MSU: UI, EWU
UI: UM, EWU
EWU: MSU, UI

...We might as well make a new conference in that case lol. We would be neglecting the rest of the conference every year haha. We already are to an extent. The BSC already has teams like NAU with SUU and UNC as their protected rivals.

I don't think I was clear:

Here's where we are today-
Montana: Idaho, Montana State
Us: Portland State, Idaho
Idaho: Eastern, Montana
Montana State: Montana, ??? (I don't know, but definitely not Idaho)

It seems like it would make sense- understanding we aren't getting Montana as a rivalry- to drop Portland State for Montana State. I don't know who MSU's second rival is... but I'm sure Eastern would be a more attractive option for them than whoever it is. If it makes sense for both Eastern and Montana State, it seems like a better fit than Portland State.

 

[360Eag]

So who becomes Montana State's second rivalry? Their second rivalry was a contrived one against UND. It never really fit. We, obviously, have a lengthy history with MSU and for a few years were competing with them for conference titles. EWU/MSU seems a far more natural rivalry than our bogus one with Portland State, and I can't imagine Montana State could get a second rivalry that would be better than us.

But in that scenario, we would have:

UM- UI, MSU
MSU: UI, EWU
UI: UM, EWU
EWU: MSU, UI

...We might as well make a new conference in that case lol. We would be neglecting the rest of the conference every year haha. We already are to an extent. The BSC already has teams like NAU with SUU and UNC as their protected rivals.

I don't think I was clear:

Here's where we are today-
Montana: Idaho, Montana State
Us: Portland State, Idaho
Idaho: Eastern, Montana
Montana State: Montana, ??? (I don't know, but definitely not Idaho)

It seems like it would make sense- understanding we aren't getting Montana as a rivalry- to drop Portland State for Montana State. I don't know who MSU's second rival is... but I'm sure Eastern would be a more attractive option for them than whoever it is. If it makes sense for both Eastern and Montana State, it seems like a better fit than Portland State.

MSU definitely makes sense as a second rival for us. As for their 2nd rival, I guess it would come down to NC, Idaho State, and Weber. That's about all I can see.

 

[EWURanger]

So who becomes Montana State's second rivalry? Their second rivalry was a contrived one against UND. It never really fit. We, obviously, have a lengthy history with MSU and for a few years were competing with them for conference titles. EWU/MSU seems a far more natural rivalry than our bogus one with Portland State, and I can't imagine Montana State could get a second rivalry that would be better than us.

But in that scenario, we would have:

UM- UI, MSU
MSU: UI, EWU
UI: UM, EWU
EWU: MSU, UI

...We might as well make a new conference in that case lol. We would be neglecting the rest of the conference every year haha. We already are to an extent. The BSC already has teams like NAU with SUU and UNC as their protected rivals.

I don't think I was clear:

Here's where we are today-
Montana: Idaho, Montana State
Us: Portland State, Idaho
Idaho: Eastern, Montana
Montana State: Montana, ??? (I don't know, but definitely not Idaho)

It seems like it would make sense- understanding we aren't getting Montana as a rivalry- to drop Portland State for Montana State. I don't know who MSU's second rival is... but I'm sure Eastern would be a more attractive option for them than whoever it is. If it makes sense for both Eastern and Montana State, it seems like a better fit than Portland State.

From a competitive aspect, I don't disagree that Idaho and MSU would be better protected games.

However, one thing to consider is that EWU has a very large alumni base in Portland. I'm sure that factored into the equation when this was discussed.

Additionally, I think we will continue to play MSU regardless of the conference schedule. I think both schools acknowledge that it just feels right.

 

[EWURanger]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention. My only real bitch about this arrangement is why in the fack do we have to go back to Missoula in 2019 when we played them there this year? Shit ain't right.

 

[ewueagle2010]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention. My only real bitch about this arrangement is why in the fack do we have to go back to Missoula in 2019 when we played them there this year? Shit ain't right.

Tell that to Weber St who will be making its third straight trip to Cheney in as many match ups! Big Sky is wayyyy to big at this point.

On another note, the conference has been trying to make PSU a rival with EWU for a while now. The team always plays us tough, but they don't have a fan base to Make it any fun.

 

[ewueagfan]

Bummer. It's supposed to be a conference, not a golf tournament.

 

[Seattle Eagle]

Well Idaho fans seem "thrilled" with this news.

https://scout.com/college/idaho/Board/103901/Contents/Protected-rivals-are-set-108134949

Why would anyone care what they think? Idaho football is horrible.

 

[9MFEaglefan]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention. My only real bitch about this arrangement is why in the fack do we have to go back to Missoula in 2019 when we played them there this year? Shit ain't right.

Tell that to Weber St who will be making its third straight trip to Cheney in as many match ups! Big Sky is wayyyy to big at this point.

On another note, the conference has been trying to make PSU a rival with EWU for a while now. The team always plays us tough, but they don't have a fan base to Make it any fun.

Yeah, way too big at this point. A nine team conference that spans only two time zones would be ideal. At least UND leaving fixes the geography problem a little bit. They were never a good fit.

 

[eaglesfootball]

this sucks but not the end of the world. I like the prospects of getting them in playoffs in a year that we dont have them as part of the conference schedule.

 

[JPN17]

Disappointing for sure, especially now that EWU has turned the tables on Montana and has been beating them consistently. But what can you do? I would prefer to see MSU as one of Eastern's rivals as well but it's not going to happen. PSU is going to remain. I would imagine with UND's rivals being UNC and Montana State, they will just make Northern Colorado MSU's 2nd rival and close that up easily instead of reshuffling. Not much of a rivalry, but it is a simple solution.

Actually what I would like to see is the conference split into 2 "divisions" not for the actual standings, just for determining games. Like the north would be: PSU, EWU, Idaho, IDST, Montana and MSU and the south would be: CP, UCD, CSUS, NAU, SUU, UNC and Weber and those schools would play each other every year with a smattering of teams from the other "division" to fill out the schedule. And you could throw in a fixed interdivision match with Weber and Idaho State to keep their rivalry as well. It won't happen, but I think that would be better.

 

[JoinTheEAF]

http://gogriz.com/news/2017/9/28/idaho-highlights-2018-19-big-sky-football-schedules.aspx?path=football

Griz schedule 2018-see link for 2019 schedule and all-time record vs. Vandals

Sept. 1
Northern Iowa

Sept. 8
Drake

Sept. 15
@ W. Illinois

Sept. 22
Sac. St.

Sept. 29
@ Cal Poly

Oct. 6
Portland St.

Oct. 13
@ N. Dakota

Oct. 20
Bye

Oct. 27
UC Davis

Nov. 3
@ S. Utah

Nov. 10
@ Idaho

Nov. 17
Montana St.

 

[360Eag]

Well Idaho fans seem "thrilled" with this news.

https://scout.com/college/idaho/Board/103901/Contents/Protected-rivals-are-set-108134949

Why would anyone care what they think? Idaho football is horrible.

I didn't join the Eastern family until 2005 so I didn't experience the old rivalry with Idaho. I always had a soft spot for them since they always struggled and I always wanted to visit the Kibbie Dome. After going over to their boards the past couple of years, I have grown tired of them. Their fan base always has lofty expectations and then they falter terribly. Reminds of living in Nevada and listening to Wolf Pack fans.

 

[EWURanger]

Well Idaho fans seem "thrilled" with this news.

https://scout.com/college/idaho/Board/103901/Contents/Protected-rivals-are-set-108134949

Why would anyone care what they think? Idaho football is horrible.

I didn't join the Eastern family until 2005 so I didn't experience the old rivalry with Idaho. I always had a soft spot for them since they always struggled and I always wanted to visit the Kibbie Dome. After going over to their boards the past couple of years, I have grown tired of them. Their fan base always has lofty expectations and then they falter terribly. Reminds of living in Nevada and listening to Wolf Pack fans.

Yes, similar, with the obvious distinction being the fact that Nevada has actually experienced more than 1 or 2 years of success in their FBS existence. Idaho, not so much, but you'd think that they were the UW reading their forums.

 

[cats25061]

So who becomes Montana State's second rivalry? Their second rivalry was a contrived one against UND. It never really fit. We, obviously, have a lengthy history with MSU and for a few years were competing with them for conference titles. EWU/MSU seems a far more natural rivalry than our bogus one with Portland State, and I can't imagine Montana State could get a second rivalry that would be better than us.

But in that scenario, we would have:

UM- UI, MSU
MSU: UI, EWU
UI: UM, EWU
EWU: MSU, UI

...We might as well make a new conference in that case lol. We would be neglecting the rest of the conference every year haha. We already are to an extent. The BSC already has teams like NAU with SUU and UNC as their protected rivals.

I don't think I was clear:

Here's where we are today-
Montana: Idaho, Montana State
Us: Portland State, Idaho
Idaho: Eastern, Montana
Montana State: Montana, ??? (I don't know, but definitely not Idaho)

It seems like it would make sense- understanding we aren't getting Montana as a rivalry- to drop Portland State for Montana State. I don't know who MSU's second rival is... but I'm sure Eastern would be a more attractive option for them than whoever it is. If it makes sense for both Eastern and Montana State, it seems like a better fit than Portland State.

MSU should have a protected rivalry with WSU, ISU or EWU, in addition to the UM game. We have been playing WSU and ISU since the beginning of the BSC. Unfortunately I am afraid of what the BSC will do, UNC was UND's other rival and they may take the easy route and give us them.

 

[WILDCAT]

Dont see why Eastern and Montana wouldnt continue to schedule each other as OOC. Weber and SUU played each other almost every year before SUU joined

 

[rickb2525]

The people on this site and the alumni who support college athletics need to demand a change in this administration.This is just another sign that the administration has not given our AD and athletic department any support. College athletics is at the very bottom of the list no matter what they say when on the radio or TV. Despite having a winning program for 15+ years and dominating since 2010 in the biggest sport we can't get moderate facility updates, Root Sports continually screws the premier program in the conference, and anytime the Big Sky Conference makes decisions EWU is left holding the bag. The fan base is there its time to demand changes, so that we are not the door mat of the conference. Dead last in operating budget for the athletic program.