I have been thinking this for quite some time. In the past 10 years, WSU is the only school in the state to not change a conference or anything like that. Is this a good problem or is this actually hindering WSU? Now dont get me wrong, I love that the BSC is stable and isnt going anywhere without WSU. I rather be us, than U of Idaho any day. However, lets see what the conference landscape has looked like for the other state teams during those 10 years.
U of U- Went from the MWC to PAC-12 Conference.
BYU- Went form MWC to Indy for FB and WCC for all other sports.
USU- Went from Big West, to WAC to MWC.
SUU- Went from Summit League, to Great West Conference, now to Big Sky.
UVU- They have gone from UVSC to UVU, going from Indy, to Great West Conference, to WAC.
WSU- Have gone from Big Sky to bigger Big Sky.
Everyone of the state schools, minus WSU has made an upgrade in athletic conferences. Even UVU going to WAC is a huge upgrade for them. I am afraid that this is really detrimental to WSU. While WSU is staying idle, all the state schools are leap frogging us and distancing themselves from us. There was a time when WSU and USU were similar in terms of recruiting, scheduling. and competing. This is all going to change. USU will begin to take a rapid distance from WSU in all aspects of athletics. U of U who once would play us in B-ball, no longer can play this lowly in-state squad, home or away. BYU took a lateral move, because they are BYU, they have the advantage in the state. SUU, who once never competed with WSU in much, is now on the same playing field. They have gained up to us and with time, they to will pass WSU in the state. UVU is now making a name for itself. They can now recruit who we recruit, and in time, they will get a FB team.
While all this is happening, WSU is stuck on idle, content with playing the ISU, SAC ST. and PSU's of the world, while USU is playing BSU, CSU, UNLV, SDSU, etc. The problem I see is this: WSU doesnt have deep enough pockets to move up, and FB team is sub-par even at the FCS level.All the teams in the state are rapidly upgrading conference affiliations, and WSU is sitting back thinking how good the times were in the 1970-1980s.
I understand that geographically, we are where we should be. There really isn't any options for us to move up to. The only conference worth trying for would be the MWC, but they are maxed out on teams, and schools like UM, MSU would get an invite before us any day. I know that it takes time for the stadium upgrades, and things like that, however, we all need for the FB squad to win all their games, because we are stuck in the BSC until FB can dig us out of here. For me, FB is key to having a better conference. The FB team needs to start winning National Titles consistently... Which is more than a pipe dream.
The one school that is leaving us totally behind is USU. And this really frustrates me. They are going to enjoy boat loads of success, while WSU enjoys another 50 years of Big Sky Conference.
U of U- Went from the MWC to PAC-12 Conference.
BYU- Went form MWC to Indy for FB and WCC for all other sports.
USU- Went from Big West, to WAC to MWC.
SUU- Went from Summit League, to Great West Conference, now to Big Sky.
UVU- They have gone from UVSC to UVU, going from Indy, to Great West Conference, to WAC.
WSU- Have gone from Big Sky to bigger Big Sky.
Everyone of the state schools, minus WSU has made an upgrade in athletic conferences. Even UVU going to WAC is a huge upgrade for them. I am afraid that this is really detrimental to WSU. While WSU is staying idle, all the state schools are leap frogging us and distancing themselves from us. There was a time when WSU and USU were similar in terms of recruiting, scheduling. and competing. This is all going to change. USU will begin to take a rapid distance from WSU in all aspects of athletics. U of U who once would play us in B-ball, no longer can play this lowly in-state squad, home or away. BYU took a lateral move, because they are BYU, they have the advantage in the state. SUU, who once never competed with WSU in much, is now on the same playing field. They have gained up to us and with time, they to will pass WSU in the state. UVU is now making a name for itself. They can now recruit who we recruit, and in time, they will get a FB team.
While all this is happening, WSU is stuck on idle, content with playing the ISU, SAC ST. and PSU's of the world, while USU is playing BSU, CSU, UNLV, SDSU, etc. The problem I see is this: WSU doesnt have deep enough pockets to move up, and FB team is sub-par even at the FCS level.All the teams in the state are rapidly upgrading conference affiliations, and WSU is sitting back thinking how good the times were in the 1970-1980s.
I understand that geographically, we are where we should be. There really isn't any options for us to move up to. The only conference worth trying for would be the MWC, but they are maxed out on teams, and schools like UM, MSU would get an invite before us any day. I know that it takes time for the stadium upgrades, and things like that, however, we all need for the FB squad to win all their games, because we are stuck in the BSC until FB can dig us out of here. For me, FB is key to having a better conference. The FB team needs to start winning National Titles consistently... Which is more than a pipe dream.
The one school that is leaving us totally behind is USU. And this really frustrates me. They are going to enjoy boat loads of success, while WSU enjoys another 50 years of Big Sky Conference.
