Dennis,thanks for the post.

Article out of Boise with comments from Idaho AD and others regarding yesterday's SBOE vote at http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/08/1 ... dence.html

What's most suprising in this, is that UI AD Spears conveys confidence that he can pull together viable schedules as a fb independent.
Sure UI will have enough schools willing to play them, but one has to deal with settling dates. FBS schools may be open to play them during the early season if a vacancy is on their schedule, and UI is the "visitor".
How many FBS schools, during the meat of conference play, would be willing/available to travel to Moscow, Idaho and play before a 15,000 capacity crowd in October and November? Playing NMSU twice during the regular season? That already suggests scheduling issues. Certainly UI would need at least 5 home games per year.

UI is not BYU. BYU has the clout and resources to manange TV factors, bowl tie-ins, and attract enough stadium visitors as an independent. And not all aspects of this are even that rosy for BYU compared to certain securities and revenue offered in the top conferences.

Hope matters work out OK for Idaho, but sustaining themselves as a fb independent may not be one of them. After two years, then what? Hope a FBS conference needs them to complete a numerial complement? How many others, even from FCS levels to move up, would be asked before settling on Idaho? UI is not the best geography with desirable resources and facilities to garner much beyond very limited attraction.

If they go back to the Big Sky for all-sports, it should not be viewed as "shame", but perhaps a prudent decision in the face of reality. Success at the FCS level would be better than continuing dismal and costly results at the FCS level. The BSC offers comparable competition with natural and regional rivals.

What really perplexes me about the WAC/Big Sky situation is why the other WAC schools are not expressing a greater willingness to collaborate with the Big Sky. Seattle and Denver literally have no where to go; It's either a brokered arrangement with the Big Sky or trying to go at it alone. Yes, the Big Sky isn't as academically prestigious as the WCC but its a stable home and if they are willing to take the Pioneers and the Redhawks they should be pushing the other WAC schools to agree to the Big Sky's terms.

This two-year trial run at FBS independence is probably the best move for Idaho. It offers a glimmer of hope for the Vandals to land a spot in an FBS league and should this endeavor prove futile they can move to Big Sky football knowing they gave it their best try.

New Mexico St should follow the Vandals lead and take the Big Sky's lifeline while its still on the table. Between the Vandals and the Aggies the Aggies are the school more likely to get a call up to the Mountain West. Take the short term partnership with the Big Sky before the opportunity disappears

I can understand Boise St's reluctance. They think they are better than the Big Sky and are holding out for the Big West but if the Broncos are reluctant to participate in the Big Sky takeover then let them keep hoping for the Big West and make Utah Valley the 16th school in the partnership.

I think everyone is underestimating Denver. I am sure they already have a few options but are keeping them close to the vest until they find out what's going on with Air Force. If Air Force goes to the Big East a new set of options may open for Denver as Air Forces travel to the WCC, MVC, Big West or the crazzy but not so crazzy Patriot option. Air Force to Patriot for Olympic sports puts Army, Navy and Air Force in same league for Olympic sports and would let Denver be the Travel partner for Air Force.m This could open slot for Air Force #12, Denver #13 and someone #14 which could be a higher profile school that plays lacrosse and possibly hockey.

If Denver doesn't tag along with Air Force maybe it can go with NMSU to the MVC or Sunbelt.

Who says that Denver and Seattle are reluctant ?

The Big Sky is likely in position to call the shots here, but they may be somewhat hampered by the ever-fading dreams of Idaho and NMSU getting FB or all-sports invitations to the MWC.

I think Fullerton may be thinking in terms of throwing all these schools a life-line, but he would be doing a dis-service to the existing members of the Big Sky
if he doesn't reel in enough schools to split into two groups for BB.

So this whole process is part of a drawn-out negotiation, and what happens is somewhat predicated on the dealings with Idaho and NMSU first.
I'm guessing that Seattle, Denver, UVU, and CSUB (or some sub-set of these) are on board with coming over to the Big Sky (for stability's sake), but the invitations are still pending.
Don't know if Denver is also engaged in any discussion wiht the Summit at this time.

Atlanta -

NMSU and Denver (and Idaho) WERE in the Sun-Belt.

Utah State, New Mexico State, and Idaho left for the better geography of the WAC.

Denver was asked to comply with participation in a required minimum number of Sun-Belt sponsored sports, and instead jumped to the WAC about 1-1/2 years ago.

The Sun-Belt seems to want to stay with their Southeastern footprint at this time.

Since the MAC is back at 13 with the addition of UMASS, could the MAC be an option for Idaho fb? Sure the midwest is a long way from Idaho, but it would seem more sustainable than fb independence. The closest school would be Northern Illinois, and they are away from the MAC nucleus somewhat. But, the competition level in the MAC would be generally compatible, and it could balance MAC membership for fb at 14, plus give the MAC a bit more diversity in exposure. It may not be any substantive financial gain for the MAC, but could fit in the scheme of things. The MAC has the bowl tie-ins and championship game, and would give the UI something meaningful to play for. Plus, UI would be assured of badly needed home games of substance and the outlook to remain FBS would have better footing.

At one point, there was talk of more schools potentially moving up from FCS.

Ga. State and ODU did move up to Sun-Belt, CUSA respectively, but I think the others mentioned
are likely to stay put, with CAA FB stabilizing as a Northeastern FCS conference.

So if JMU, Delware, etc. are staying put, the one Northeastern candidate that might consider the MAC could be Army.
I think the MAC should talk to them about being a FB only affiliate for #14.

It's over officially for WAC football:

http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_21355122/wac-drop-football-after-2012-season

Article out of Las Cruces with comments from NMSU AD indicating that NMSU plans to play Indy football after 2012.Link at http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-sp ... t-football

We've heard a lot about ethics recently from the NCAA. While the NCAA has no direct role in conferences re-aligning and expansion, what's happening to the WAC is so troubling for the remnants. While the time may have arrived for the WAC to at least expire in sponsoring fb, it's a shame there are schools remaining that are placed in a precarious situation, scrambling for some alternative. In this case, the MWC is much to blame, but are not alone in the scenario developing. The ethical thing to do is for these schools remaining to have compatible placement elsewhere.

Maybe it shall take some future rule, somewhere, to say "if you take half or more of a conference in a two year period (or so), you are obligated to take the rest or find viable other homes for them". So much for collegiality.

S I article discussing current WAC "death spiral" with comments from Big Sky Commish who says his league would be interested in adding more WAC members only if Idaho first decides to join the Big Sky.Link at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/f ... index.html

Idaho and NMSU go Independent in football as the WAC is getting out of the FB business

http://www.ajc.com/sports/wac-wont-be-a-1502956.html
http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... s-season/1

It's a good article. I agree with Jeff Hurd -- it is very sad.

The WAC could survive as a non-football conference if Boise State and/or Idaho kept their Olympic sports there, but that looks unlikely.

I expect Seattle, Denver, and NMSU to go to the Summit League instead of the Big Sky. The Summit is down to 9 schools and is in danger of losing 3 more, which puts their continued existence in jeopardy. They need to add at least 3 schools in any case; and Seattle, Denver, and NMSU are the best 3 that might become available. Also, the Summit/Mid-Continent has a history with schools spread all over the continent.

Seattle and Denver will eventually end up in the WCC, simply because that conference only accepts private schools, and there are no other expansion candidates in the west.

NMSU football would be a good 14th team for the MAC.

NMSU and Denver to go to 14. Of course, if/when Idaho and NMSU have to drop to FCS they Sky would have 15 for fb. If they went Seattle and Denver it would probably work better for the Sky but NMSU has better basketball by far.

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