My question to those who want to attempt to go FBS: when the Pac is finally dead, and the SEC and B1G start attacking The Big 12 and ACC, do you really think there will be the FBS we know today? Or that we’ve known as the Division 1AA before that? Or, will the lesser programs find themselves in a new world and have to start separating their pride from reality?
I have been lucky to know a few people who gave me some insider knowledge of how SJSU maneuvered its way into the MWC, and it wasn’t easy. And, it arguably occurred during a time when they desired a spot in a much more powerful MWC. The MWC schools have a vision of themselves as potential and deserving power 5 (c’mon… really 2) schools. They operate under a cloud of delusion and fantasy. They see themselves as significantly closer the Alabamas and Michigans of the world than Montanas and NDSUs
Long story short - SJSU wrote a huge check. They also promised a multi-multi-million dollar facility investment. My second love Spartans had to rely on old alumni who cared for the program. There has been very little personal interest or investment by the younger, far richer, alumni. There was a story told to me when I was younger that they had been a legitimate target for the Pac 8 in the 60s or 70s. I grew up in the time where we always wondered whether we could get more than one win, and survive as a program. We escaped the Big West and WAC before they crumbled, and that was our win. However, the Spartans were always the whipping boy on and off the field. If the old WAC/MWC didn’t get a massive bowl, it was the Spartans fault. It was SJSU’s fault the tv numbers sucked as well as P5 schools avoiding scheduling. It truly sucked. When we did have success, it was a fluke, or we were never going to sustain it. We were millimeters away from being the West Coast version of Idaho or NMSU. I fear for my beloved second love Spartans that there are dark days ahead.
Okay. I got off of the original point. The MWC is always going to be the group of schools who think they’re the other Pac 10. They’ll continue to squabble and fight for the scraps, and brag they are dining on golden plates. The MWC and its schools are going to be shut out. The Power 2 are going to take the best 50ish schools and play in their own garden. The rest will have to create something new. I’ve said it here for a decade (before I forgot my SJHornet login info) that the bottom FBS and top FCS will eventually have to become partners.
I think the BSC is a conference, maybe merged with another like the WAC or Southland or something, who can be a top FCS school to join the group of 5. I see it becoming a group of 7 or 8 in the end. I’d rather be in a BSC who knows what it is. Schools familiar and trusting each other. Kinda like the Sun Belt. Their slow growth has become truly amazing.
We have to be brutally honest with ourselves. Hornet Stadium needs a rebuild or overhaul, and we need an arena. Yeah, we can use Golden 1, but let’s be honest with ourselves. The campus arena may be built, but I’ll be 150 years old and done with college athletics at that point. Our peers have similar standard (probably better if I’m honest) facilities. We don’t have the historical pedigree. It’s building, but doesn’t really awe others. We don’t have mega donors. We would be a sore on the behinds of SJSU, Nevada and Crap State - err… I mean Fresno State’s - recruiting efforts.
I have no knowledge of this happening, but I see it. Many see it. College athletics of my youth, my fathers youth and before, are over. I have hope in our new prez that hopefully we can navigate this new world successfully. A leap would be nice, but let’s leap on stable ground.
