Welcome Back IDAHO--VANDALS

[talhadfoursteals]

I'd like to take this opportunity to officially welcome the Univeristy of Idaho Vandals back to the Big Sky. You really haven't been missed, but it will be nice kicking your Vandal A$$es again. I give the WAC one year before it is officially dead.

La Tech and NMSU to the Belt

USU and SJSU will eventually be allowed into the MWC

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/07/2154460/sun-belt-might-add-11th-school.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or not

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/22/2183125/vote-on-expansion-during-spring.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[WILDCAT]

Lou Tech wants out (even though thier AD said they dont),they go to either the C-USA or the Belt. NMSU wants out, they go to the Belt. Utah State will get a MWC invite, they only question is will San Jose?

THe MWC has already stated that they DO NOT want Idaho. If San Jose goes MWC, what other options does Idaho have? There are 3

1. they could go indy and move thier basketball program to either the Big West or the Big Sky
2. They could drop football and move basketball to BW or BS
3. They could move to the Big Sky as a whole. (Yes its FCS football but at least you get to keep your football team). That alone is worth it.

The Big Sky is waiting for the best drop down scenario, Idaho might just be that team.

 

[ajwildcat]

I'd like to take this opportunity to officially welcome the Univeristy of Idaho Vandals back to the Big Sky. You really haven't been missed, but it will be nice kicking your Vandal A$$es again. I give the WAC one year before it is officially dead.

La Tech and NMSU to the Belt

USU and SJSU will eventually be allowed into the MWC

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/07/2154460/sun-belt-might-add-11th-school.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or not

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/22/2183125/vote-on-expansion-during-spring.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Vandals had NO BUSINESS leaving the Big sky to begin with. hno:

 

[n.ogdencat]

Lol Vandals...they keep thinking they are a superior institution (athletically) to Weber State. All I can say is look at the records folks. Yes, in football you have an advantage, but in basketball...52-20. Also, don't most teams in the current Big Sky have a winning streak against Idaho football? I know Weber and Montana do.

 

[weberwildcat]

idaho's 20-52 record against us in bball isnt that bad compared to some of the other schools but what is interesting is they have no more wins in ogden than both sac & psu. just 1 win in ogden for each of the 3. i believe the 3 wins are from a total of 60 attempts. we must protect this house! :thumb:

 

[ballplayerz]

Seems like the Big Sky is gaining some...well i dont want to say respect because it isnt but the sky just picked up 2 schools plus may be adding Idaho? If we do well in the next few years in football and basketball in a growing conference Weber as a school may gain some respect especially if we do well in basketball. With all this talent we have plus if we do well we will continue to get good recruits and be on the up and up. I think Weber has a great oppertunity to do somethin here in the next few years.

 

[weberwildcat]

dont talk about idaho dropping down on their fan board. it is a very sensitive subject i guess. i started a thread about them dropping down and referenced this thread and then they deleted it and banned me. lol i used clean language and i really dont think the article had any foul play.

 

[WILDCAT]

dont talk about idaho dropping down on their fan board. it is a very sensitive subject i guess. i started a thread about them dropping down and referenced this thread and then they deleted it and banned me. lol i used clean language and i really dont think the article had any foul play.

The Vandals fans just cant accept the fact that they dont belong in the FBS, its sad really.

They dont want to admit that maybe, just maybe the Weber State fans are right.

But we dont need to look very far if we want a good laugh, The Big Sky has its own Idahoesqe fan base.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Wildcat, you are right on the money. Vandal fans have never been able to fit into the pants of FBS football. The size of UI doesn't merit FBS distinction. The FBS is too big for them. Yes, they have participated in two bowls, but what do they get out of a one and done situation, playing in a bowl that is meaningless? They will NEVER get a chance to vie for a national championship at that level so why would they want to stay? I like knowing that in every single athletic program Weber can vie for a National Championship; most importantly in Football. And lets all admit it, without Boise State (I'm not even going to mention Nevada or Fresno St.) the WAC is worthless.

Granted, Fresno and Nevada bring monies into the WAC, yet Boise State, was the reason why the WAC generated any monies. They are gone, and so is the money. Why is the money gone? Other than in Moscow, I really don't think residents of San Antonio will care, since they have a number of BIGGER FBS programs with tradition and a history of success (Hell even Rice and North Texas would be better), who really wants to watch Texas San-Antonio vs. University of Idaho? NO ONE!!

The Big Sky, due to long standing rivalrys and conference membership has more visibility and thats not saying a lot for the WAC, since we all know how much visibility the Sky has. I don't want Idaho back. I'd rather watch them be forced to play Independent, to fill their schedule they will be forced to visit Big Sky schools.

 

[n.ogdencat]

Quickly...is there an institution in the Big Sky that has the $$$ to move up to FBS? I know there isn't an institution that has the $$$ to move into the WAC, that would be a serious financial error. I could see the MWC, if they continue to expand and are denied by Houston (which they will be) look at UM at a possible member. I hate to admit this, but UM fits the deminsions of the new MWC, I also think USU should get the nod, but would also find it really funny if they get turned down/OVERLOOKED again.

I found this link on the Cubbies board: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/ncaa-finances.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I heard that a school would need a budget of 22M-23M to make the conference move worth it. Other than that to keep this discussion on basketball...I really think the WAC and Big Sky should have a conference duel like the Big Ten/ACC every year (I guess the regional Bracket Buster is kinda becoming like that).

 

[talhadfoursteals]

Vandal Records: http://collegefootball.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=collegefootball&cdn=sports&tm=7&gps=167_190_999_568&f=11&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One thing that I don't understand, how could Idaho jump up and down NCAA classifications when they were in the Big Sky from 1963-1995?

 

[sasquatch]

Idaho is a school which has a very good academic reputation, but its location and size will never allow it to compete year in and year out with the major players in the NCAA. Even back when it competed in the Pacific Coast Conference, the precursor to the PAC 12, the Vandals regularly lost. Further, the California schools never would travel to Moscow and finally stopped playing them altogether. Oregon State and Washington State were their only conference opponents who would regularly make a trip to Moscow.

To go a step further, between 1930 and their first year in the Big Sky, 1963, they only had 2 winning seasons. Ironically they had a winning season their first year in the 'Sky, but then only had 4 more until the 1980's when Dennis Erickson turned them around. They discovered their niche then, but they felt they had to follow Boise State. The losing started again for them in the late 90's.

The money argument for them just doesn't hold weight anymore. Since FBS schools went to a 12 game regular season AND allow an FCS win to be counted every year toward bowl eligiblity, guarantee (money) games are available to anyone and everyone. The WAC's TV revenue is becoming irrelevant, and the chances of sharing a large portion of BCS money are gone with the departure of BSU (and even Hawaii).

The other argument I hear is that there is no interest to go back to the FCS level, because nobody will attend the games. Yet, their home game with future Big Sky member North Dakota drew more fans than their home game with San Jose State AND (most surprising) the home game against a nationally ranked Nevada team.

I hope they aren't forced to go back. I hope they do reassess things and go back on their own. I think Idaho could become a major player in the FCS once again.

 

[weberwildcat]

i hate when people talk about academics, its really a joke to hear about when the only thing that really matters is $$ and Ws. I keep hearing what a great academic institution Idaho is and the exact opposite about Boise. Does it really matter? is it just me? Look at all the conferences Boise has moved up through since the Big Sky? Yet Idaho is going no where but down possibley soon.

Idaho 2010:
UND 11,466
UNLV 15,390
NMSU 13,812
Nevada 11,247
Boise 16,453
SJSU 8,011

average: 12,729

even though idaho had a losing record in 2010 it was one of their best seasons since moving up to FBS in 1996. I also wonder if this was one of Idaho best attended seasons. I think the 15,000 thing must not be a true requirement since the kibby dome must only hold 16,000, barely above the minimum.

NCAA average to remain FBS: 15,000

so what is the point of this thread? shoud idaho come back to the big sky? shoudl they remain fbs? do we even need more schools in the big sky? our conference is grown by 4 football teams already. how can we fit idaho n san jose?

 

[bigskybears]

I don't think Idaho would ever move back to the 'Sky. They'll go independent before that ever happens.

 

[WILDCAT]

I don't think Idaho would ever move back to the 'Sky. They'll go independent before that ever happens.

Yeah most likely, and San Jose would probably drop football before dropping down.

The problem with Idaho going indy, is it wont work, they dont win often enough to be successful and nobody will play at the Kibbie Dome, so thier only alternative for home games is to bring in FCS (Big Sky) Schools to fill thier home slate.

Which is why it would be better in the long run for them just to drop down, but pride will keep them from doing that.

 

[oldrunner]

In a lot of respects Idaho and USU have a lot in common. They are both proud academic institutions, who once had solid athletic affiliations. The world has changed on them. They now find themselves in a horrible situation. It costs a lot to travel there, and they don't comand a lot of TV sets. They will continue to have a hard time scheduling and bringing in revenue. They are very prideful, but pride can often come at a high price. Unless their fans are willing to accept less than mediocre, year in and year out, they don't have many good solutions.

 

[weberwildcat]

USU really struggled when it was independent and they couldn't have lasted much longer as an indy. It would be even harder for UI to do the same. I would guess Idaho will go back to the Sun Belt. USU shouldn't worry as much since there is no reason they couldn't get in the MWC.

 

[wsucatfan]

USU really struggled when it was independent and they couldn't have lasted much longer as an indy. It would be even harder for UI to do the same. I would guess Idaho will go back to the Sun Belt. USU shouldn't worry as much since there is no reason they couldn't get in the MWC.

Spite is a pretty good reason why usu won't get into the mountain west

 

[weberwildcat]

USU really struggled when it was independent and they couldn't have lasted much longer as an indy. It would be even harder for UI to do the same. I would guess Idaho will go back to the Sun Belt. USU shouldn't worry as much since there is no reason they couldn't get in the MWC.

Spite is a pretty good reason why usu won't get into the mountain west

they hate more than anything about how byu treats them and looks down upon them. it is interesting that they do the exact same thing to wsu.

 

[SWeberCat02]

USU shouldn't worry as much since there is no reason they couldn't get in the MWC.

If that was the case then they would already be in the MWC. With the lousy TV deal the MWC has, it doesn't want another mouth to feed and it ain't letting anyone else in unless their TV revenue improves significantly. USU does and should worry, a lot.