The Realignment Options from the Pac-6 and Mountain West Perspective.

[St George]

[CalgaryCat]

Pullman, Washington and Corvallis, Oregon wouldn't make any FBS conference's list...except they were in one and they have lots and lots of $$ from being abandoned by their former conference schools. Other than that-they're minnows in their new league. OSU is at least sort of close to Portland, but WSU is really out in the middle of nowhere and the Spokane market has Gonzaga.

Wyoming would probably be on the outs if they weren't entrenched in the MWC. I don't think their proximity to Denver helps them a whole lot. Their enrollment is relatively small, Laramie is tiny, and Cheyenne isn't very big either. But they're there so good for them.

El Paso has a metro population of just under 900,000 so the MWC wanted them. Nearby New Mexico State in Las Cruces with a metro of 217,000 is out. If NMSU is out, Bozeman and Missoula with metros less than 120,000 have no chance. The xDSU's are both in or near metros of almost 300,000 but both in states with less than 1 million so I guess that's not big enough either-especially with fan loyalties to the UxD's as well.

I love our road trips to Weber, ISU, and EWU among others-heck even UNCU was fun. I love being a big fish in a small pond...as long as the pond doesn't dry up.

Maybe CUSA will want to have northern tier division someday?

Good post, but your next to last paragraph is the reason I’ve changed my mind from wanting to stay out to wanting to move up. It wouldn’t surprise me one but if the P4 separates from the NCAA. Suddenly we’re third tier. Montanans will always support the Cats and gris, but I think a lot of the competition around us would dry up if that happens

If there ends up being a split Big Sky can move as a group. We are already at top level in all sports but football. It is as strong a football conference as what a new MWC will be.

This is what I am thinking. If in fact, the P4 schools form their own division, I think that the big sky conference can move as a group into the new (Whatever they call the) G5. I think our chances of moving up before then, based on what I’ve seen recently, close to zero.

I don’t see the G6 agreeing to sharing an already depleted source of revenue with another conference if the P4 splits. That’s why I believe if the Montana schools want to move up, the clock is ticking. By the time the FCS looks like a sinking ship, they aren’t going to be able to get off it

[Prodigal Cat]

Fan interest will drop eventually if we stick around in FCS while it continues to be watered down, if the Dakota State schools leave especially. It's already happening at NDSU

It happened at NDSU because they were winning the championship every single year for like a decade. Very respectfully, we are multiple consecutive national championships away from that happening

No, it happened because they had season after season similar to the one the Cats are having right now. Where there are really only 1-2 FCS games along with a play up versus an FBS that will be competitive. Bison fans always show up for the playoffs and especially have when their team gets to Frisco, still do. It isn't the championships, its the lack of any sort of drama during the season.

[Camo_Cat]

My take on the topic of realignment (as if my 2 cents is even worth that): at some point, both MSU and dUMb have to be making the preparations for a move up. I honestly believe that is where some of the recent stadium improvements and IPF are coming from. Whether we like it or not, the realignment picture at some point will make the current FCS as relevant as DIII football.

Let's be honest - we Cat fans enjoy being the big fish in a little pond. We love playoff football in Bozeman in the dead of a Montana winter. We love the potential of 2-3 additional home games each season. But truth be told, that's not where the big dollars lay. The NCAA grabs much of the money generated during the playoffs. Bowl games -- even insignificant ones -- can have big payouts to both the school and the conference. TV revenue and NIL all have the potential to much higher. And the list goes on...

I'm as sentimental as much as the next guy when it comes to Bobcat football and the playoff format. But as Bob Dylan sang, the times they are a-changin'...

[AFCAT]

My take on the topic of realignment (as if my 2 cents is even worth that): at some point, both MSU and dUMb have to be making the preparations for a move up. I honestly believe that is where some of the recent stadium improvements and IPF are coming from. Whether we like it or not, the realignment picture at some point will make the current FCS as relevant as DIII football.

Let's be honest - we Cat fans enjoy being the big fish in a little pond. We love playoff football in Bozeman in the dead of a Montana winter. We love the potential of 2-3 additional home games each season. But truth be told, that's not where the big dollars lay. The NCAA grabs much of the money generated during the playoffs. Bowl games -- even insignificant ones -- can have big payouts to both the school and the conference. TV revenue and NIL all have the potential to much higher. And the list goes on...

I'm as sentimental as much as the next guy when it comes to Bobcat football and the playoff format. But as Bob Dylan sang, the times they are a-changin'...

I'm not sure that MSU would ever play in a super lucrative money making bowl game, those are mostly reserved for Power programs. Any bowl game MSU would play in would, after dividing up the proceeds with the conference, probably costing MSU money. The Potato bowl payout is around $800K, but MSU would only see a fraction of that once the payout is divided up in conference. Now, there would be other benefits, like exposure for the program, recruiting, etc., that would help the program.

[tetoncat]

My take on the topic of realignment (as if my 2 cents is even worth that): at some point, both MSU and dUMb have to be making the preparations for a move up. I honestly believe that is where some of the recent stadium improvements and IPF are coming from. Whether we like it or not, the realignment picture at some point will make the current FCS as relevant as DIII football.

Let's be honest - we Cat fans enjoy being the big fish in a little pond. We love playoff football in Bozeman in the dead of a Montana winter. We love the potential of 2-3 additional home games each season. But truth be told, that's not where the big dollars lay. The NCAA grabs much of the money generated during the playoffs. Bowl games -- even insignificant ones -- can have big payouts to both the school and the conference. TV revenue and NIL all have the potential to much higher. And the list goes on...

I'm as sentimental as much as the next guy when it comes to Bobcat football and the playoff format. But as Bob Dylan sang, the times they are a-changin'...

Is there really big dollars? Might generate mote but the spending more than offsets it. Does it help any of the other programs to go join a MWC that will be 1/2 old FCS teams.

[cats2506]

My take on the topic of realignment (as if my 2 cents is even worth that): at some point, both MSU and dUMb have to be making the preparations for a move up. I honestly believe that is where some of the recent stadium improvements and IPF are coming from. Whether we like it or not, the realignment picture at some point will make the current FCS as relevant as DIII football.

Let's be honest - we Cat fans enjoy being the big fish in a little pond. We love playoff football in Bozeman in the dead of a Montana winter. We love the potential of 2-3 additional home games each season. But truth be told, that's not where the big dollars lay. The NCAA grabs much of the money generated during the playoffs. Bowl games -- even insignificant ones -- can have big payouts to both the school and the conference. TV revenue and NIL all have the potential to much higher. And the list goes on...

I'm as sentimental as much as the next guy when it comes to Bobcat football and the playoff format. But as Bob Dylan sang, the times they are a-changin'...

I'm not sure that MSU would ever play in a super lucrative money making bowl game, those are mostly reserved for Power programs. Any bowl game MSU would play in would, after dividing up the proceeds with the conference, probably costing MSU money. The Potato bowl payout is around $800K, but MSU would only see a fraction of that once the payout is divided up in conference. Now, there would be other benefits, like exposure for the program, recruiting, etc., that would help the program.

So you are saying that we would need to double out athletic budget and pay out 5 mill to the NCAA, just for a chance to play in the potato bowl for a fraction of $800,000. And we have to add a bunch of scholarships and a couple of extra women's sports as well. I really don't see how a few million from a MW media contract is going to cover that. I just don't see how moving up would payoff in any respect.

[coachouert]

[Montanabob]

my money says the kings get to keep the gate and concession proceeds.

[AFCAT]

My take on the topic of realignment (as if my 2 cents is even worth that): at some point, both MSU and dUMb have to be making the preparations for a move up. I honestly believe that is where some of the recent stadium improvements and IPF are coming from. Whether we like it or not, the realignment picture at some point will make the current FCS as relevant as DIII football.

Let's be honest - we Cat fans enjoy being the big fish in a little pond. We love playoff football in Bozeman in the dead of a Montana winter. We love the potential of 2-3 additional home games each season. But truth be told, that's not where the big dollars lay. The NCAA grabs much of the money generated during the playoffs. Bowl games -- even insignificant ones -- can have big payouts to both the school and the conference. TV revenue and NIL all have the potential to much higher. And the list goes on...

I'm as sentimental as much as the next guy when it comes to Bobcat football and the playoff format. But as Bob Dylan sang, the times they are a-changin'...

I'm not sure that MSU would ever play in a super lucrative money making bowl game, those are mostly reserved for Power programs. Any bowl game MSU would play in would, after dividing up the proceeds with the conference, probably costing MSU money. The Potato bowl payout is around $800K, but MSU would only see a fraction of that once the payout is divided up in conference. Now, there would be other benefits, like exposure for the program, recruiting, etc., that would help the program.

So you are saying that we would need to double out athletic budget and pay out 5 mill to the NCAA, just for a chance to play in the potato bowl for a fraction of $800,000. And we have to add a bunch of scholarships and a couple of extra women's sports as well. I really don't see how a few million from a MW media contract is going to cover that. I just don't see how moving up would payoff in any respect.

I think my opinion on moving up is pretty well known.

[Bobcat Sig]

Gross. Sac can't even fill their football stadium, never mind any sort of attendance for their basketball teams. It's a commuter school in a large market. And that market has shown they don't care about Sac.

[damnyoutuesday]

Would be quite the upgrade from this disgrace of an arena

https://images.sidearmdev.com/convert?u ... &type=webp

[Cataholic]

Gross. Sac can't even fill their football stadium, never mind any sort of attendance for their basketball teams. It's a commuter school in a large market. And that market has shown they don't care about Sac.

I initially gave Sac zero chance at getting into the PAC with their current stadium. If they can get the stadium built, they would be a real possibility. 2.3 million population in the metro with only the Kings as a major sports franchise in the immediate area. The recent NIL fundraising is truly remarkable. The university has 28,000 students. Just guessing though that a 25,000 seat stadium will cost $100 million in California. That is a big number to overcome.

[BelgradeBobcat]

I initially gave Sac zero chance at getting into the PAC with their current stadium. If they can get the stadium built, they would be a real possibility. 2.3 million population in the metro with only the Kings as a major sports franchise in the immediate area. The recent NIL fundraising is truly remarkable. The university has 28,000 students. Just guessing though that a 25,000 seat stadium will cost $100 million in California. That is a big number to overcome.

Close proximity to San Jose State, Fresno State, and Nevada-Reno...maybe too close?

[damnyoutuesday]

Gross. Sac can't even fill their football stadium, never mind any sort of attendance for their basketball teams. It's a commuter school in a large market. And that market has shown they don't care about Sac.

The fact they raised $35M in NIL in 24 hours says otherwise

[AFCAT]

Gross. Sac can't even fill their football stadium, never mind any sort of attendance for their basketball teams. It's a commuter school in a large market. And that market has shown they don't care about Sac.

The fact they raised $35M in NIL in 24 hours says otherwise

I wonder if there are conditions on that money. Do they have to be in the PAC # to get most or any of it?

[Cataholic]

I initially gave Sac zero chance at getting into the PAC with their current stadium. If they can get the stadium built, they would be a real possibility. 2.3 million population in the metro with only the Kings as a major sports franchise in the immediate area. The recent NIL fundraising is truly remarkable. The university has 28,000 students. Just guessing though that a 25,000 seat stadium will cost $100 million in California. That is a big number to overcome.

Close proximity to San Jose State, Fresno State, and Nevada-Reno...maybe too close?

They are in the general area, but 2.3 million people is a lot of media market. And a Fresno-Sac State PAC 12 matchup would probably generate a lot of interest in the area. Sac fits the media market profile, but the stadium will be key. Davis is only 10 miles from Sacramento and has a better stadium right now but smaller. They have a much better academic profile as well. If they came up with a plan to add 15,000 seats, they would probably get the nod over Sac State. But it is hard for me to believe that either school is even being considered for the PAC. This is just confirmation that it is all about media market.

[coloradocat]

Gross. Sac can't even fill their football stadium, never mind any sort of attendance for their basketball teams. It's a commuter school in a large market. And that market has shown they don't care about Sac.

The fact they raised $35M in NIL in 24 hours says otherwise

I wonder if there are conditions on that money. Do they have to be in the PAC # to get most or any of it?

I would assume so. That money doesn't just materialize overnight for an FCS team. It's a coordinated effort to get an FBS team in town, not to help Sac State specifically.

[Bobcat Sig]

Yes, Sac is a decently sized metro area. And yes, they are awfully close to several other FBS schools. I just don't see it all materializing for them. They can't fill their stadium now, even with perennial success. Will that change in what is a big commuter school?

And before it's said; yes, Boise has done it, but that's because they were able to hit when the other two Idaho schools were down, and there we no other sports options in the state. That is not the case in Sac.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Call me a skeptic, but I’m very skeptical that Sac actually has $35 million for NIL. Is that over a set period of time, or per year? Ain’t no way they have that per year.