Could Idaho make it 14 in the Big Sky?

[bincitysioux]

I can kind of see the apprehension that Vandal fans about moving back to the Big Sky. It is basically ackowledging failure in their move to FBS. But on the other hand, a good business would not continue to pour money into building a product that doesn't sell. At some point, you have to cut your losses.

As fas New Mexico St., I think that the Mountain West will add New Mexico St. and Texas-El Paso within 2 years. That will give the MWC 12 football schools, allowing for divisional play and a championship game, but leaving them with 11 all-sports schools. I could see the MWC then adding Denver to round out the all-sports school alignment and not altering the geography of the league at all. They'd have 10 full members, Hawaii as football only, and Denver as non-football..............

[Rich K]

I think this guy has something here:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/a ... watch-sky/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But the most delicious irony in all of this is that now those hard-liners – whether they be politicians, big donors or just football snobs – will have to explain why the Big Sky is good enough for every other athlete at the University of Idaho, but not for football players.

[topshelfthepuck]

Wow! good article, but the proverbial "bucket of cold water to the face" to Vandal fans. I think this is a good move for BSC to attach itself to the other sports of Idaho in hopes of drawing their football program, even being a longer wait then most of us would want. Lets face it, especailly for Montana schools, picking up Idaho would be the best thing for our schools. Adding that member rounds out even conferences in football and all other sports. It lowers travel costs because it gives us another D-1 regional game. It keeps the BSC as the largest conference in the FCS and West of the Mississippi. If not Idaho, then who fits that well into our landscape?

I wonder if Idaho may do the independent route for the next 2 seasons to not only look for an alternate option, but also allow themselves to recruit differently in case of the "move down". We all are aware that they would have to cut schlarships in athletics to meet FCS criteria, and instead of that being a negative on the recruiting trail, they could use that as tactic to let kids know that just because we are moving to the FCS, we will be competitive right away in the biggest FCS conference in America and competing for national championships. The regional recruits all see the level of play in the FCS and that may very well be appealing to players looking at Idaho as well as EWU, ISU, UM or even Wash St. Less recruiting chances, but positioning the school to get higher quality recruits right away?

Finally, people ask what does two divisions do for the BSC if there is no championship game? Besides the argument of travel, it lines our conference with probably the first real FCS chance to get 2 automatic bids to the playoffs. Instead of playing each other for a conference championship, we could put 2 teams in the top 5 on a consistent basis, without having to knock each other out of best position for national championship chances. We can still play other teams from the other half on a yearly basis, just like we will this year, and then try to get as many teams into the playoffs as possible. Isnt the main goal to have BSC teams win chamionships? I mean of course for me the Bobcats for sure, but any team winning it is better for all BSC Schools

[DaCats21]

And what's the status of New Mexico State? Are they also planning to play as an independent, at least for this season?

The WAC is still a conference this season:

Idaho
Louisiana Tech
New Mexico State
San Jose State
Texas State
Utah State
UTSA

Next year, the 2013 season is when Idaho will start its football life in NCAA purgatory. As far as NMSU goes, I was wondering the same thing. Has anyone else heard what the Aggies are planning to do after this season?

My guess is they will persue Independence as well. A home and home with Idaho in the same season and a trip to Provo maybe?

They have tenative plans to play at Texas, at UCLA, and at New Mexico so far

[DaCats21]

I could see the MWC then adding Denver to round out the all-sports school alignment and not altering the geography of the league at all. They'd have 10 full members, Hawaii as football only, and Denver as non-football..............

I dont see Denver as a great fit in the MWC. Sure, geographically it makes sense, but we all know that logic has been thrown out the window by college athletics. I just dont see any way that both DU and Seattle U dont end up in the West Coast Conference. Privite, over-priced, over-rated schools in the western US that don't have football programs. These two schools fit like round pegs in that conference

[SonomaCat]

I could see the MWC then adding Denver to round out the all-sports school alignment and not altering the geography of the league at all. They'd have 10 full members, Hawaii as football only, and Denver as non-football..............

I dont see Denver as a great fit in the MWC. Sure, geographically it makes sense, but we all know that logic has been thrown out the window by college athletics. I just dont see any way that both DU and Seattle U dont end up in the West Coast Conference. Privite, over-priced, over-rated schools in the western US that don't have football programs. These two schools fit like round pegs in that conference

DU isn't a religion-sponsored school, is it? If not, that may preclude them from being considered by the WCC.

[Rich K]

The Idaho State Board of Education voted Friday to give the University of Idaho authority to become a Football Bowl Subdivision independent and negotiate and accept an invitation to the Big Sky in Olympic sports. The board's motion also allows Idaho to join the Big Sky in football

Read more here: http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/0 ... rylink=cpy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;#storylink=cpy

[catgrad05]

The Idaho State Board of Education voted Friday to give the University of Idaho authority to become a Football Bowl Subdivision independent and negotiate and accept an invitation to the Big Sky in Olympic sports. The board's motion also allows Idaho to join the Big Sky in football

Read more here: http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/0 ... rylink=cpy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;#storylink=cpy

I had heard this on ESPN College Football Live. Idaho probably can make this work for a couple years but I doubt they could go much longer than that as an independent

[DaCats21]

AP article on billingsgazette.com:

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho has been cleared to compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision as an independent, joining schools such as Notre Dame, BYU, Army and Navy as schools without a conference.

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/colle ... 93be6.html

[cats2506]

AP article on billingsgazette.com:

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho has been cleared to compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision as an independent, joining schools such as Notre Dame, BYU, Army and Navy as schools without a conference.

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/colle ... 93be6.html

I realize that was an AP article but it leaves out the key point that the BOE also gave them the authority to move to FCS in football.

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/0 ... rylink=cpy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[catgrad05]

AP article on billingsgazette.com:

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho has been cleared to compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision as an independent, joining schools such as Notre Dame, BYU, Army and Navy as schools without a conference.

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/colle ... 93be6.html

I realize that was an AP article but it leaves out the key point that the BOE also gave them the authority to move to FCS in football.

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/0 ... rylink=cpy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wonder if they are going to start to cutting scholarships after this season so they can move back to the Big Sky?

[cats2506]

AP article on billingsgazette.com:

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho has been cleared to compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision as an independent, joining schools such as Notre Dame, BYU, Army and Navy as schools without a conference.

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/colle ... 93be6.html

I realize that was an AP article but it leaves out the key point that the BOE also gave them the authority to move to FCS in football.

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/0 ... rylink=cpy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wonder if they are going to start to cutting scholarships after this season so they can move back to the Big Sky?

I think it will depend on if they can 5 FBS programs to come play in Moscow in 2013, as I under stand it they still have 2-3 spots to fill and they are having difficulty, NCAA FBS rules require them to have 6 homegames and only one can be FCS, that will be a difficult schedule to fill with the $$ they have to spend. 2 for 1 away - home - away will not work long term, they will need to fork out some $$ or play away cheap, not a good outlook IMO

Also with the BOE giving authority to negotiate football to the BSC that gives Foolerton leverage to force them to use it. Should be interesting in the next few weeks

[catgrad05]

AP article on billingsgazette.com:

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho has been cleared to compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision as an independent, joining schools such as Notre Dame, BYU, Army and Navy as schools without a conference.

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/colle ... 93be6.html

I realize that was an AP article but it leaves out the key point that the BOE also gave them the authority to move to FCS in football.

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/0 ... rylink=cpy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wonder if they are going to start to cutting scholarships after this season so they can move back to the Big Sky?

I think it will depend on if they can 5 FBS programs to come play in Moscow in 2013, as I under stand it they still have 2-3 spots to fill and they are having difficulty, NCAA FBS rules require them to have 6 homegames and only one can be FCS, that will be a difficult schedule to fill with the $$ they have to spend. 2 for 1 away - home - away will not work long term, they will need to fork out some $$ or play away cheap, not a good outlook IMO

Also with the BOE giving authority to negotiate football to the BSC that gives Foolerton leverage to force them to use it. Should be interesting in the next few weeks

So what happens if they can not get to 6 home games? Do they just become ineligible for bowl play? They probably wouldn't win enough to be eligible anyways.

[cats2506]

So what happens if they can not get to 6 home games? Do they just become ineligible for bowl play? They probably wouldn't win enough to be eligible anyways.

I am not sure but it may endanger their FBS status, since it is evidently a FBS rule. If that was the case then opponents would not get "credit" for playing an FBS team when they play them, it would be like playing a FCS team. I have no idea if it would affect their bowl eligibility, but I doubt that it will be an issue if you know what I mean.

Being independent and without a bowl affiliation they are kind of in purgatory, even if they manage to win 6 games none of the bowls are obligated to take them, they would get a bowl if that happened but it would be the worst one that was stuck with them.

the way I see it is that the FCS and the BSC is the only viable option for UI, Foolerton needs to negotiate from a position of power in this and do the right thing, but you don't want to humiliate UI either, so it is a sensitive issue.

As a side note I have heard (rumor) that Cruzado is involved in these negotiations, I suspect that her background an contacts in the WAC would give her some authority in the matter.

[catbooster]

I think it will depend on if they can 5 FBS programs to come play in Moscow in 2013, as I under stand it they still have 2-3 spots to fill and they are having difficulty, NCAA FBS rules require them to have 6 homegames and only one can be FCS, that will be a difficult schedule to fill with the $$ they have to spend. 2 for 1 away - home - away will not work long term, they will need to fork out some $$ or play away cheap, not a good outlook IMO

Also with the BOE giving authority to negotiate football to the BSC that gives Foolerton leverage to force them to use it. Should be interesting in the next few weeks

I'm pretty sure that the rule is 5 Div I home games, 4 FBS - so the 5th can be FCS. Still gonna be tough for them to get a schedule.

[bincitysioux]

DU isn't a religion-sponsored school, is it?

Yes, it is.

[SaxCat]

DU isn't a religion-sponsored school, is it?

Yes, it is.

This is the first I have heard about DU being a religious school, and I grew up in Denver. Unless you count hockey as a religion.....

[orsalak]

DU isn't a religion-sponsored school, is it?

Yes, it is.

This is the first I have heard about DU being a religious school, and I grew up in Denver. Unless you count hockey as a religion.....

It started with backing from the Methodist church

[Rich K]

Here's something out of the NCAA rules:
http://www.ncaapublications.com/product ... s/D112.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

20.9.7.2 Football Scheduling Requirement. [FBS] The institution shall schedule and play at least 60
percent of its football games against members of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The institution shall schedule
and play at least five regular-season home games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents. For purposes of
satisfying the scheduling requirement, a contest shall be considered a home contest if it is played in the stadium
in which an institution conducts at least 50 percent of its home contests. In addition, an institution may use one
home contest against a Football Bowl Subdivision member conducted at a neutral site to satisfy the home-game
requirement. (Revised: 4/25/02 effective 8/1/04, 1/12/04, 12/15/06)
20.9.7.2.1 Exception—Football Championship Subdivision Opponent. [FBS] Each year, a Football
Bowl Subdivision institution may count one contest against a Football Championship Subdivision
opponent to satisfy the football-scheduling requirement specified in Bylaw 20.9.7.2, provided the Football
Championship Subdivision opponent has averaged 90 percent of the permissible maximum number of
grants-in-aid per year in football over a rolling two-year period. (Adopted: 4/28/05, Revised: 12/15/06)

So does 20.9.7.2.1 allow for a Big Sky school (I am assuming that all Big Sky schools are using 90 percent of the scholarships per year) to count as one of the 5 FBS home games required? So with New Mexico State and Northern Illinois the Vandals only need to lure 2 more FBS schools to Moscow in 2013 to fulfill the requirement. I bet they will be able to do that. However, 2014 will be a different story.

[allcat]

Here's something out of the NCAA rules:
http://www.ncaapublications.com/product ... s/D112.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

20.9.7.2 Football Scheduling Requirement. [FBS] The institution shall schedule and play at least 60
percent of its football games against members of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The institution shall schedule
and play at least five regular-season home games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents. For purposes of
satisfying the scheduling requirement, a contest shall be considered a home contest if it is played in the stadium
in which an institution conducts at least 50 percent of its home contests. In addition, an institution may use one
home contest against a Football Bowl Subdivision member conducted at a neutral site to satisfy the home-game
requirement. (Revised: 4/25/02 effective 8/1/04, 1/12/04, 12/15/06)
20.9.7.2.1 Exception—Football Championship Subdivision Opponent. [FBS] Each year, a Football
Bowl Subdivision institution may count one contest against a Football Championship Subdivision
opponent to satisfy the football-scheduling requirement specified in Bylaw 20.9.7.2, provided the Football
Championship Subdivision opponent has averaged 90 percent of the permissible maximum number of
grants-in-aid per year in football over a rolling two-year period. (Adopted: 4/28/05, Revised: 12/15/06)

So does 20.9.7.2.1 allow for a Big Sky school (I am assuming that all Big Sky schools are using 90 percent of the scholarships per year) to count as one of the 5 FBS home games required? So with New Mexico State and Northern Illinois the Vandals only need to lure 2 more FBS schools to Moscow in 2013 to fulfill the requirement. I bet they will be able to do that. However, 2014 will be a different story.

The only way they would go there is for a home and home deal. If you played at Idaho, would you really get an FBS school coming back to play you? Can they get New Mexico State to come there twice, is that allowed?