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The Continental Shift

W

WILDCAT

Active member
Yes I know talking about conf affiliations for some is getting old, but I think its an interesting topic and it really could effect the Big Sky and it could start as early as next month.


In just a few short years, I honestly think the Big Sky will look like this.

Football:

Cal Poly
Eastern Washington
Idaho
Idaho State
Montana
Montana State
North Dakota
Northern Arizona
Northern Colorado
Portland State
Sacramento State
Southern Utah
UC Davis
Weber State

Basketball:

Boise State
Denver
Eastern Washington
Idaho
Idaho State
Montana
Montana State
North Dakota
Northern Arizona
Northern Colorado
Portland State
Sacramento State
Southern Utah
Utah Valley
Weber State


Boise could put basketball in the Big West, but im not sure the Big West would take them, but they took Hawaii so you never know.

I think the WAC is going to dissolve rather quickly here real soon, and it will start when the "Mountain USA" super conference takes USU and Lou Tech, and the Belt takes the Texas twins and NMSU.

Seattle goes to the WCC

Now the topic of San Jose,

Option A. They drop football, and move all other sports to the Big West.
Option B. They wont be full members in the Sky, but if they keep football, they may be football only affiliates in the Sky and everything else in the BW.
 
I believe the Big Sky is waiting for Idaho and San Jose State. I don't think you'll see Utah Valley get in, certainly not unless the two Montana schools leave. The Big Sky is a one-bid league in basketball, and the more teams you bring in, the less chance there is for existing members to get to the Big Dance. And the further the limited NCAA revenue is spread.

The Big Sky has already said no to Boise State because the Broncos' athletic department budget and national prominence from football gives them an unfair advantage over everybody in the Big Sky. I can't see the BSC changing its mind unless BSU agrees to some sort of revenue sharing scheme. BTW, how would you like to be Leon Rice? He was hired with the idea that he was going to a Mountain West basketball program, and now he's going down to the WAC, with talk of his program descending further to the Big Sky. That's gotta be a slap in the face.
 
Bengal visitor said:
I believe the Big Sky is waiting for Idaho and San Jose State. I don't think you'll see Utah Valley get in, certainly not unless the two Montana schools leave. The Big Sky is a one-bid league in basketball, and the more teams you bring in, the less chance there is for existing members to get to the Big Dance. And the further the limited NCAA revenue is spread.

The Big Sky has already said no to Boise State because the Broncos' athletic department budget and national prominence from football gives them an unfair advantage over everybody in the Big Sky. I can't see the BSC changing its mind unless BSU agrees to some sort of revenue sharing scheme. BTW, how would you like to be Leon Rice? He was hired with the idea that he was going to a Mountain West basketball program, and now he's going down to the WAC, with talk of his program descending further to the Big Sky. That's gotta be a slap in the face.
Click to expand...


I dont think Boise will have much of a choice if the Big West doesnt want them, they cant be in the Mtn West, and there wont be a WAC, and they wont be invited to the WCC. So it would have to be Big Sky or bust, and Boise will have no one to blame but themselves. Leon Rice cant be feeling any worse than Fisher for San Diego State right about now.

On the subject of UVU, they could go to the Summit, but I do know the other Summit schools hated traveling to SUU, and Im sure wouldnt be too happy about traveling to UVU. They could stay in the Great West, I guess, but I dont know why they would want to stay in a conference that doesnt have an autobid.

I also think that Seattle could be a possible member, since the WCC said no to them. I dont know how the Big West feels about having them in thier conference, I guess they could go back to being an independant.
 
I wouldn't say it's a forgone conclusion that the WAC is dissolving. The MWCUSA will have a nice round 16 members for the merged conference in 2013. I also think it is in the MWC's best interest to keep the WAC alive ( a few bowl tie ins together, easier out of conference scheduling, among other reasons). I could be wrong... But I just don't see it happening. Now UVU on the other hand... They are in a real tough spot with that conference. I'm not sure what they will do. I kinda doubt the Sky would want them. But I wouldn't mind seeing them in. :twocents:
 
Very interesting editorial from the Gem State. There are few recalcitrant Vandal fans left, but for the most part they are seeing the writing on the wall and deciding to jump ship. For me, the below article makes sense. By rejoining the Sky the Vandals would automatically regionalize their program, increase fan interest in playing actual rivals, and save millions in travel. Idahlol welcome back to the Sky. We all know that the Sun Belt is going to take UTSA, perhaps Texas State (even though I think they will be returning to the Southland), and the MW (whatever it is now) will take SJSU and USU. Good night WAC.

http://magicvalley.com/sports/college/column-tough-call-awaits-u-of-i-athletics-future/article_0bcee4ee-7892-11e1-b01c-001871e3ce6c.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
Jon Wilner from the San Jose newspaper is probably the best source for conference shuffling/expansion. A lot of national reports usually quote his stuff.

In terms of expansion targets, San Jose State and Utah State are atop the MWC’s list — commissioner Craig Thompson toured both campuses last week.

If both are invited, WAC football is immediately placed on life support.

Unlike the Sun Belt, which would have options if raided by C-USA (including current WAC member LaTech), the WAC would be tapped out. There simply aren’t any expansion candidates left for the conference, short of Big Sky members making the costly move to FBS.

(If I’m Idaho, New Mexico State and Texas State, I’m worried about the future. Very, very worried.)
Click to expand...

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2012/03/26/fbs-realignment-m-day-becomes-a-day-for-the-mwc-c-usa-and-what-that-would-mean-for-the-wac-and-sun-belt/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
Idaho needs to drop down, I remember reading on ISU's forum that Idaho had told the Sky that if they could not find an FBS home than they would send their Olympic sports to the Sky, and through the course of about 3 years would lower their football scholarships to the FCS level and become a full Big Sky member.
 
The fuse, a very short one, was lit when the flaggship schools started leaving a few years ago. Since then the Aggies have been searching for a life boat of some sort. When the Wac started inviting Texas schools, the explosion was starting. There will probably be a yard sale at the WAC this summer and any other assets left will go to the Salvation Army. :rofl:
 
UTSA to CUSA.

Utah State and San Jose State to the MWC and Louisiana Tech strongly rumored to CUSA, per the Salt Lake Tribune today.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/54013176-77/state-conference-utah-west.html.csp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Texas State to announce its new FBS conference within a few days, most likely the Sun Belt.

http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/sports/x157475531/College-Athletics-Teis-Bobcats-fine-despite-latest-blow-to-WAC" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And then there were two, New Mexico State and Idaho.
 
Well. Looks like my earlier post is completely wrong. I guess this conglomerate conference wants 24 members and not 16. The WAC is dead. The Sky is already big enough. I hope this doesn't make the Sky a 13 or 15 member conference. Good grief.
 
Now you have to wonder what happens to New Mexico State and Idaho, as well as the WAC's non football members Boise State, Seattle and Denver.
 
It is too bad that Denver got rid of football. I would rather have them in the Sky than Idaho, which is going to happen. Oh well. Anyway, Denver will go back to the Summit Conference and Seattle will do its best to get invited to the WCC. I'm sure Boise will be allowed to participate in the Sky. I'm totally against that, but...money talks.

Who cares about NMSU, but just for kicks, I'm sure they will get a spot in the Sun Belt. Texas State is headed back to the Southland. Nobody wants them.
 
big sky is now the huge sky, too big. i dont want to add more schools. but maybe the montanas will still try and leave. adding more schools wont make the big sky better or stronger, its too big.
 
talhadfoursteals said:
It is too bad that Denver got rid of football. I would rather have them in the Sky than Idaho, which is going to happen. Oh well. Anyway, Denver will go back to the Summit Conference and Seattle will do its best to get invited to the WCC. I'm sure Boise will be allowed to participate in the Sky. I'm totally against that, but...money talks.

Who cares about NMSU, but just for kicks, I'm sure they will get a spot in the Sun Belt. Texas State is headed back to the Southland. Nobody wants them.
Click to expand...
TX State landed a Sun Belt invite alongside UTA. NM State is the only other WAC leftover without a home. It’s anyone’s guess what happens to them.
 
SDHornet said:
talhadfoursteals said:
It is too bad that Denver got rid of football. I would rather have them in the Sky than Idaho, which is going to happen. Oh well. Anyway, Denver will go back to the Summit Conference and Seattle will do its best to get invited to the WCC. I'm sure Boise will be allowed to participate in the Sky. I'm totally against that, but...money talks.

Who cares about NMSU, but just for kicks, I'm sure they will get a spot in the Sun Belt. Texas State is headed back to the Southland. Nobody wants them.
Click to expand...
TX State landed a Sun Belt invite alongside UTA. NM State is the only other WAC leftover without a home. It’s anyone’s guess what happens to them.
Click to expand...
I don't think Idaho has come out and said they have a home yet either. It does seem almost a foregone conclusion they they are coming to the Sky though.
 
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