Realignment

[onceacat]

I’ve always been for moving up if the invitation is presented. Heck I can remember back in the day playing Fresno State, Boise, Reno, and being competitive with all of those teams. The move up would bring new realities and opportunities as well as funding and costs. I think the competition level would be an upgrade, but didn’t we just beat a UNM team that is FBS and our support and program easily wins the day. I also believe that the fan base is more interested in playing harder competition than they are playing Mercyhurst and Simon Fraser or Utah Tech or even Maine. I get that it’s fun to watching winning football, but I would contend the win over UNM was far more exciting and entertaining for more fans than the wonderful time had at Gold Rush against Maine…the game day notwithstanding!

Move up, adjust, compete, win…and have some fun again with Boise, Wyoming, the DSU’s, the Renos and Fresno States of whatever conference we’d be offered in!

Let’s also remember that when MSU was playing Boise and Reno, those teams were 1-AA/FCS programs. The last ten meetings against Boise the Cats were 3-7 and all time against Reno 6-12.
Everyone mentions teams like Maine or Utah Tech as teams they don’t want to play. I totally get that and understand the point, but there are two types of teams the Cats would play in pre-conference games at the FBS level. Those pre-conference games would be money games against power five teams or playing lower level games against FCS schools. Heck, even Maine is playing Oklahoma this season. Utah Tech played UNLV. New Mexico played MSU. Wyoming played Idaho. Colorado State played Northern Colorado. Fresno State and San Jose State played Sac State. Those pre-conference games would be either against lower level FCS opponents at home or big FBS money games away with the odd same level opponent thrown in, just like the Cats do now. There isn’t going to be much change in that part of the schedule. Conference will be different though.

Definitely recognize that the past days playing Nevada, Boise and Fresno occurred when they were FCS. Hopefully you can recognize that todays MSU program is in significantly better position to succeed that 20+ years ago.

I’m wrote the actual records against those teams in the past in response to the statement the Cats were competitive against those teams. Hopefully, you can recognize that.

Hmmm…. Based on your position against moving up, it appeared as if you were saying MSU was not competitive by posting those records of 3-7 and 6-12.

Were they?

How did 76 turn out? Beat North Dakota and NDSU, Beat Idahos, gris, Boise, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Akron, Weber, and lost to Fresno. And hung a banner! So, yes, there are years you win, and years you lose…but the point I want to make is that being “competitive” is that those games are fun to watch, challenging, and with the potential of being a huge upside in a W.

This year, at least for me, the most entertaining game was UNM not just because we won…obviously, but because it showed us who we were at that point as we were being challenged by a team “above us”. Getting it together and storming back to win was a very nice thing to see and I think has given the juice to the team to float through the remaining schedule of non-cons and get into the meat of our conference games which have meaning.
A move up would cost us some “wins” but the wins when they come would be more consequential and appropriate for where Bozeman is now and wants to play…IMO!

I understand your position and I respect that. My opinion is just different. I also remember the mid 80s through the early 2000s when MSU was a terrible program. I remember the Ash years when the Cats were one and done in the playoffs. I remember the streak. Yes, the Big Sky has its share of lousy teams, but I also know that the Big Sky conference is the most competitive conference in the FCS right now, sending four teams to the playoffs last season. The Cats will play three of those playoff teams this season. I can’t wait for those games. Heck, MSU and UM have each only finished first in the Big Sky once in the past decade. Weber, SAC, and EWU have more titles in that time period than the Montana schools do and UCD has a title as well. No doubt, there are lousy programs in the Big Sky, but there is a lot of great programs in the Big Sky too. You’ll also find those lousy bottom dweller teams in the FBS conferences too. Moving up will be an adrenaline shot for a while but then reality will set in and I’m not sure the after effects, including the higher costs, will be that much fun. Play up game wins, like at New Mexico, will be harder to find at that level and National championship banners too.

Probably worth pointing out that of the 2014 playoff teams

Coastal Carolina
Sam Houston
LIberty
JMU

Have already moved up. With NDSU & SDSU at least a 50-50 shot in the near term future.


I loved what FCS football was a decade ago. But that era ended a long time ago.

[Montanabob]

rumblings if UC Davis And Sac state getting Pac 8 or MW offers.

[Bobcat Sig]

I’ve always been for moving up if the invitation is presented. Heck I can remember back in the day playing Fresno State, Boise, Reno, and being competitive with all of those teams. The move up would bring new realities and opportunities as well as funding and costs. I think the competition level would be an upgrade, but didn’t we just beat a UNM team that is FBS and our support and program easily wins the day. I also believe that the fan base is more interested in playing harder competition than they are playing Mercyhurst and Simon Fraser or Utah Tech or even Maine. I get that it’s fun to watching winning football, but I would contend the win over UNM was far more exciting and entertaining for more fans than the wonderful time had at Gold Rush against Maine…the game day notwithstanding!

Move up, adjust, compete, win…and have some fun again with Boise, Wyoming, the DSU’s, the Renos and Fresno States of whatever conference we’d be offered in!

Let’s also remember that when MSU was playing Boise and Reno, those teams were 1-AA/FCS programs. The last ten meetings against Boise the Cats were 3-7 and all time against Reno 6-12.
Everyone mentions teams like Maine or Utah Tech as teams they don’t want to play. I totally get that and understand the point, but there are two types of teams the Cats would play in pre-conference games at the FBS level. Those pre-conference games would be money games against power five teams or playing lower level games against FCS schools. Heck, even Maine is playing Oklahoma this season. Utah Tech played UNLV. New Mexico played MSU. Wyoming played Idaho. Colorado State played Northern Colorado. Fresno State and San Jose State played Sac State. Those pre-conference games would be either against lower level FCS opponents at home or big FBS money games away with the odd same level opponent thrown in, just like the Cats do now. There isn’t going to be much change in that part of the schedule. Conference will be different though.

Definitely recognize that the past days playing Nevada, Boise and Fresno occurred when they were FCS. Hopefully you can recognize that todays MSU program is in significantly better position to succeed that 20+ years ago.

I’m wrote the actual records against those teams in the past in response to the statement the Cats were competitive against those teams. Hopefully, you can recognize that.

Hmmm…. Based on your position against moving up, it appeared as if you were saying MSU was not competitive by posting those records of 3-7 and 6-12.

Were they?

How did 76 turn out? Beat North Dakota and NDSU, Beat Idahos, gris, Boise, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Akron, Weber, and lost to Fresno. And hung a banner! So, yes, there are years you win, and years you lose…but the point I want to make is that being “competitive” is that those games are fun to watch, challenging, and with the potential of being a huge upside in a W.

This year, at least for me, the most entertaining game was UNM not just because we won…obviously, but because it showed us who we were at that point as we were being challenged by a team “above us”. Getting it together and storming back to win was a very nice thing to see and I think has given the juice to the team to float through the remaining schedule of non-cons and get into the meat of our conference games which have meaning.
A move up would cost us some “wins” but the wins when they come would be more consequential and appropriate for where Bozeman is now and wants to play…IMO!

I understand your position and I respect that. My opinion is just different. I also remember the mid 80s through the early 2000s when MSU was a terrible program. I remember the Ash years when the Cats were one and done in the playoffs. I remember the streak. Yes, the Big Sky has its share of lousy teams, but I also know that the Big Sky conference is the most competitive conference in the FCS right now, sending four teams to the playoffs last season. The Cats will play three of those playoff teams this season. I can’t wait for those games. Heck, MSU and UM have each only finished first in the Big Sky once in the past decade. Weber, SAC, and EWU have more titles in that time period than the Montana schools do and UCD has a title as well. No doubt, there are lousy programs in the Big Sky, but there is a lot of great programs in the Big Sky too. You’ll also find those lousy bottom dweller teams in the FBS conferences too. Moving up will be an adrenaline shot for a while but then reality will set in and I’m not sure the after effects, including the higher costs, will be that much fun. Play up game wins, like at New Mexico, will be harder to find at that level and National championship banners too.

All valid points. And while don’t disagree, the Big Sky isn’t representative of the FCS these days. Further, the disparity between the top of the Big Sky and bottom is glaring in all aspects except academics. And while a similar disparity may exist in a G5 conference, at least those teams have a bigger pot money from which to attempt improvement. Those in the Big Sky and FCS do not.

Sure, it’s a risk to move up to FBS, but so was the move to DII, NAIA, and then to the FCS.

[catatac]

Yes but all of those divisions have a playoff system and the Bobcats have won a national championship in each of them. That is the one and only factor that makes me not want to go FBS. Sure, if they implement a legitimate playof system where the Cats would have a fair chance at winning another national championship, I'm all in.

[Bobcat Sig]

Yes but all of those divisions have a playoff system and the Bobcats have won a national championship in each of them. That is the one and only factor that makes me not want to go FBS. Sure, if they implement a legitimate playof system where the Cats would have a fair chance at winning another national championship, I'm all in.

I think you’ll see the G5 break away and form their own playoff and championship, which is where we belong.

[GoldstoneCat]

Yes but all of those divisions have a playoff system and the Bobcats have won a national championship in each of them. That is the one and only factor that makes me not want to go FBS. Sure, if they implement a legitimate playof system where the Cats would have a fair chance at winning another national championship, I'm all in.

I think you’ll see the G5 break away and form their own playoff and championship, which is where we belong.

Essentially I agree with this, although I think it'll be some iteration of the power 4/CFP that breaks away, leaving the rest to figure it out. That's why I think you're going to see leagues like the MWC, MAC, CUSA, AAC and Sun Belt be cautious here about adding more teams until they have a better feel for where, exactly, that line of demarcation is. As a thought exercise, why would they add either 2 or 4 teams (MT and DSUs) that don't move the needle for them revenue or tv-wise rather than just realign themselves into different iterations of the current leagues, whomever is left after the breakaway, and have less mouths to feed? I could be totally wrong but I'm way less than certain the invite is coming at all for us. I agree we belong with the Wyoming and Utah states, Nevadas of the world but it takes 2 willing sides.

[catatac]

Yes but all of those divisions have a playoff system and the Bobcats have won a national championship in each of them. That is the one and only factor that makes me not want to go FBS. Sure, if they implement a legitimate playof system where the Cats would have a fair chance at winning another national championship, I'm all in.

I hope you're right and I agree that's definitely what they should do. No reason you can't just incorporate all the bowl games into the playoff system. Also agree it is where we belong! Can you imagine a few years down the road if that's how it plays out. Bobcat Stadium renovations are complete based on that rendering, everything bowled in, capacity around 35 to 40 thousand, Bobcats hosting like a Boise State or Montana in a playoff game?

[CodyCat]

Yes but all of those divisions have a playoff system and the Bobcats have won a national championship in each of them. That is the one and only factor that makes me not want to go FBS. Sure, if they implement a legitimate playof system where the Cats would have a fair chance at winning another national championship, I'm all in.

I think you’ll see the G5 break away and form their own playoff and championship, which is where we belong.

People keep saying this. But there is zero indication that any G5 schools or conferences are considering that.

[CalgaryCat]

Yes but all of those divisions have a playoff system and the Bobcats have won a national championship in each of them. That is the one and only factor that makes me not want to go FBS. Sure, if they implement a legitimate playof system where the Cats would have a fair chance at winning another national championship, I'm all in.

I think you’ll see the G5 break away and form their own playoff and championship, which is where we belong.

People keep saying this. But there is zero indication that any G5 schools or conferences are considering that.

It won’t be the G5 schools breaking away. The P4 schools have a big reason to break away and make their own division- money.

[Cataholic]

I’ve always been for moving up if the invitation is presented. Heck I can remember back in the day playing Fresno State, Boise, Reno, and being competitive with all of those teams. The move up would bring new realities and opportunities as well as funding and costs. I think the competition level would be an upgrade, but didn’t we just beat a UNM team that is FBS and our support and program easily wins the day. I also believe that the fan base is more interested in playing harder competition than they are playing Mercyhurst and Simon Fraser or Utah Tech or even Maine. I get that it’s fun to watching winning football, but I would contend the win over UNM was far more exciting and entertaining for more fans than the wonderful time had at Gold Rush against Maine…the game day notwithstanding!

Move up, adjust, compete, win…and have some fun again with Boise, Wyoming, the DSU’s, the Renos and Fresno States of whatever conference we’d be offered in!

Let’s also remember that when MSU was playing Boise and Reno, those teams were 1-AA/FCS programs. The last ten meetings against Boise the Cats were 3-7 and all time against Reno 6-12.
Everyone mentions teams like Maine or Utah Tech as teams they don’t want to play. I totally get that and understand the point, but there are two types of teams the Cats would play in pre-conference games at the FBS level. Those pre-conference games would be money games against power five teams or playing lower level games against FCS schools. Heck, even Maine is playing Oklahoma this season. Utah Tech played UNLV. New Mexico played MSU. Wyoming played Idaho. Colorado State played Northern Colorado. Fresno State and San Jose State played Sac State. Those pre-conference games would be either against lower level FCS opponents at home or big FBS money games away with the odd same level opponent thrown in, just like the Cats do now. There isn’t going to be much change in that part of the schedule. Conference will be different though.

Definitely recognize that the past days playing Nevada, Boise and Fresno occurred when they were FCS. Hopefully you can recognize that todays MSU program is in significantly better position to succeed that 20+ years ago.

I’m wrote the actual records against those teams in the past in response to the statement the Cats were competitive against those teams. Hopefully, you can recognize that.

Hmmm…. Based on your position against moving up, it appeared as if you were saying MSU was not competitive by posting those records of 3-7 and 6-12.

Were they?

How did 76 turn out? Beat North Dakota and NDSU, Beat Idahos, gris, Boise, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Akron, Weber, and lost to Fresno. And hung a banner! So, yes, there are years you win, and years you lose…but the point I want to make is that being “competitive” is that those games are fun to watch, challenging, and with the potential of being a huge upside in a W.

This year, at least for me, the most entertaining game was UNM not just because we won…obviously, but because it showed us who we were at that point as we were being challenged by a team “above us”. Getting it together and storming back to win was a very nice thing to see and I think has given the juice to the team to float through the remaining schedule of non-cons and get into the meat of our conference games which have meaning.
A move up would cost us some “wins” but the wins when they come would be more consequential and appropriate for where Bozeman is now and wants to play…IMO!

I understand your position and I respect that. My opinion is just different. I also remember the mid 80s through the early 2000s when MSU was a terrible program. I remember the Ash years when the Cats were one and done in the playoffs. I remember the streak. Yes, the Big Sky has its share of lousy teams, but I also know that the Big Sky conference is the most competitive conference in the FCS right now, sending four teams to the playoffs last season. The Cats will play three of those playoff teams this season. I can’t wait for those games. Heck, MSU and UM have each only finished first in the Big Sky once in the past decade. Weber, SAC, and EWU have more titles in that time period than the Montana schools do and UCD has a title as well. No doubt, there are lousy programs in the Big Sky, but there is a lot of great programs in the Big Sky too. You’ll also find those lousy bottom dweller teams in the FBS conferences too. Moving up will be an adrenaline shot for a while but then reality will set in and I’m not sure the after effects, including the higher costs, will be that much fun. Play up game wins, like at New Mexico, will be harder to find at that level and National championship banners too.

You are a passionate and dedicated Bobcat fan. One of the best on this site and deserve respect. I also suffered through the dark days of MSU football and quite honestly are more passionate about the program than ever before. I am lost today without a Cat game!! But I am tired of playing the Utah Techs and Mercyhursts of the world and explaining to casual fans that they are the same division as us. I am looking forward to a time when we play a recognizable school for 10 to 11 games each year. MSU has also become a very attractive gig for any up and coming coach. I don’t think we will ever go back the dark days. Maybe we have a down year or two, but MSU has become a very good location for coaches and players.

[onceacat]

Yes but all of those divisions have a playoff system and the Bobcats have won a national championship in each of them. That is the one and only factor that makes me not want to go FBS. Sure, if they implement a legitimate playof system where the Cats would have a fair chance at winning another national championship, I'm all in.

I hope you're right and I agree that's definitely what they should do. No reason you can't just incorporate all the bowl games into the playoff system. Also agree it is where we belong! Can you imagine a few years down the road if that's how it plays out. Bobcat Stadium renovations are complete based on that rendering, everything bowled in, capacity around 35 to 40 thousand, Bobcats hosting like a Boise State or Montana in a playoff game?

It's way tougher than you think. The bowl system, at least as it currently exists, needs to fill up a lot of weekday air time between Christmas and New Years when a lot of people are spending time with their families not working, but maybe need something to distract them from all the uncomfortable conversations that people have when they are at home with their families.

A 24 team playoff, on the other hand, only fills airtime on weekends.

So theres A LOT less advertising to sell in a playoff format than in a bowl format.

Fewer slots to sell ads means smaller TV contracts which means less money for paying coaches, staff, and NIL billions of dollars.

Which is why its taken us so long to get to something resembling a playoff system for the Power 4

[ThoughtUKnew14]

Go after both Montana Schools and a couple of Conference USA Schools within reasonable geographic reach.

[Cataholic]

Yes but all of those divisions have a playoff system and the Bobcats have won a national championship in each of them. That is the one and only factor that makes me not want to go FBS. Sure, if they implement a legitimate playof system where the Cats would have a fair chance at winning another national championship, I'm all in.

I hope you're right and I agree that's definitely what they should do. No reason you can't just incorporate all the bowl games into the playoff system. Also agree it is where we belong! Can you imagine a few years down the road if that's how it plays out. Bobcat Stadium renovations are complete based on that rendering, everything bowled in, capacity around 35 to 40 thousand, Bobcats hosting like a Boise State or Montana in a playoff game?

It's way tougher than you think. The bowl system, at least as it currently exists, needs to fill up a lot of weekday air time between Christmas and New Years when a lot of people are spending time with their families not working, but maybe need something to distract them from all the uncomfortable conversations that people have when they are at home with their families.

A 24 team playoff, on the other hand, only fills airtime on weekends.

So theres A LOT less advertising to sell in a playoff format than in a bowl format.

Fewer slots to sell ads means smaller TV contracts which means less money for paying coaches, staff, and NIL billions of dollars.

Which is why its taken us so long to get to something resembling a playoff system for the Power 4

I hope this is not the actual reason. A little creativity on scheduling games can easily result in games every day of the week. Especially with first round byes and schools out for the holiday break. We have college football during the regular season about 4 to 5 days per week.

[MTnative]

TV contracts and NIL have absolutely ruined the pageantry of college football. FCS was an awesome niche in college sports that will die by ten thousand paper cuts.

Take a bow Mark Emmert and company.

[MSU01]

TV contracts and NIL have absolutely ruined the pageantry of college football. FCS was an awesome niche in college sports that will die by ten thousand paper cuts.

Take a bow Mark Emmert and company.

Not sure if it's fair to blame the NCAA for NIL, they tried their best to prevent it for decades until the courts got involved and started ruling against them.

[MTnative]

TV contracts and NIL have absolutely ruined the pageantry of college football. FCS was an awesome niche in college sports that will die by ten thousand paper cuts.

Take a bow Mark Emmert and company.

Not sure if it's fair to blame the NCAA for NIL, they tried their best to prevent it for decades until the courts got involved and started ruling against them.

The NCAA rolled over and allowed it to happen.

But yes, the blame isn’t just a function of bad executive leadership. This is cultural, it is the result of an entitled generation that found footing in the legal system to secure financial gain.

For the record, I am and will remain strongly against anybody in the FCS as it currently is moving up to FBS.

[onceacat]

TV contracts and NIL have absolutely ruined the pageantry of college football. FCS was an awesome niche in college sports that will die by ten thousand paper cuts.

Take a bow Mark Emmert and company.

Not sure if it's fair to blame the NCAA for NIL, they tried their best to prevent it for decades until the courts got involved and started ruling against them.

The NCAA rolled over and allowed it to happen.

But yes, the blame isn’t just a function of bad executive leadership. This is cultural, it is the result of an entitled generation that found footing in the legal system to secure financial gain.

For the record, I am and will remain strongly against anybody in the FCS as it currently is moving up to FBS.

Its really hard to fault football players as 'entitled' when the NCAA, coaches, ADs, staff, EA sports, announcers, ESPN, and everyone else was getting rich off them & they were getting peanuts.

A cultural expectation that a man gets paid fairly for his work has now become 'entitlment'?

Weird.

To be clear, the NCAA fought tooth and nail on this. It took a Supreme Court decision to recognize that people have a right to be paid for doing their job.

[onceacat]

Yes but all of those divisions have a playoff system and the Bobcats have won a national championship in each of them. That is the one and only factor that makes me not want to go FBS. Sure, if they implement a legitimate playof system where the Cats would have a fair chance at winning another national championship, I'm all in.

I hope you're right and I agree that's definitely what they should do. No reason you can't just incorporate all the bowl games into the playoff system. Also agree it is where we belong! Can you imagine a few years down the road if that's how it plays out. Bobcat Stadium renovations are complete based on that rendering, everything bowled in, capacity around 35 to 40 thousand, Bobcats hosting like a Boise State or Montana in a playoff game?

It's way tougher than you think. The bowl system, at least as it currently exists, needs to fill up a lot of weekday air time between Christmas and New Years when a lot of people are spending time with their families not working, but maybe need something to distract them from all the uncomfortable conversations that people have when they are at home with their families.

A 24 team playoff, on the other hand, only fills airtime on weekends.

So theres A LOT less advertising to sell in a playoff format than in a bowl format.

Fewer slots to sell ads means smaller TV contracts which means less money for paying coaches, staff, and NIL billions of dollars.

Which is why its taken us so long to get to something resembling a playoff system for the Power 4

I hope this is not the actual reason. A little creativity on scheduling games can easily result in games every day of the week. Especially with first round byes and schools out for the holiday break. We have college football during the regular season about 4 to 5 days per week.

I'd love to hear a proposal. Games every day of the week mean that some teams would be playing playoff games on 2 or 3 days of rest while others would be playing on 8 or 10.

Maybe now that FBS will be having a playoff on the weekends, FCS could have playoff games on Monday-Wednesday though?

[GoldstoneCat]

TV contracts and NIL have absolutely ruined the pageantry of college football. FCS was an awesome niche in college sports that will die by ten thousand paper cuts.

Take a bow Mark Emmert and company.

Not sure if it's fair to blame the NCAA for NIL, they tried their best to prevent it for decades until the courts got involved and started ruling against them.

The NCAA rolled over and allowed it to happen.

But yes, the blame isn’t just a function of bad executive leadership. This is cultural, it is the result of an entitled generation that found footing in the legal system to secure financial gain.

For the record, I am and will remain strongly against anybody in the FCS as it currently is moving up to FBS.

Its really hard to fault football players as 'entitled' when the NCAA, coaches, ADs, staff, EA sports, announcers, ESPN, and everyone else was getting rich off them & they were getting peanuts.

A cultural expectation that a man gets paid fairly for his work has now become 'entitlment'?

Weird.

To be clear, the NCAA fought tooth and nail on this. It took a Supreme Court decision to recognize that people have a right to be paid for doing their job.

Agreed. The fact that the NCAA fought these kids for years, instead of getting together with their bowls, their conferences, their TV partners, and their advertisers to put in place a system to make the athletes who were generating all that wealth a part of the system, that's where the blame lies. When you have to live with a system the courts were forced to implement because of the aforementioned parties' insatiable greed, and live with it after the fact, you get something that looks like what we have today, this ad-hoc NIL wild west combined with the ability to basically be free agents, or even mercenaries if you prefer, at all times. Greed is to blame here, to the extent there needs to be blame, but to say it's the players' fault is a bad, bad take, I agree onceacat.

[tetoncat]

TV contracts and NIL have absolutely ruined the pageantry of college football. FCS was an awesome niche in college sports that will die by ten thousand paper cuts.

Take a bow Mark Emmert and company.

Not sure if it's fair to blame the NCAA for NIL, they tried their best to prevent it for decades until the courts got involved and started ruling against them.

The NCAA rolled over and allowed it to happen.

But yes, the blame isn’t just a function of bad executive leadership. This is cultural, it is the result of an entitled generation that found footing in the legal system to secure financial gain.

For the record, I am and will remain strongly against anybody in the FCS as it currently is moving up to FBS.

Its really hard to fault football players as 'entitled' when the NCAA, coaches, ADs, staff, EA sports, announcers, ESPN, and everyone else was getting rich off them & they were getting peanuts.

A cultural expectation that a man gets paid fairly for his work has now become 'entitlment'?

Weird.

To be clear, the NCAA fought tooth and nail on this. It took a Supreme Court decision to recognize that people have a right to be paid for doing their job.

Agreed. The fact that the NCAA fought these kids for years, instead of getting together with their bowls, their conferences, their TV partners, and their advertisers to put in place a system to make the athletes who were generating all that wealth a part of the system, that's where the blame lies. When you have to live with a system the courts were forced to implement because of the aforementioned parties' insatiable greed, and live with it after the fact, you get something that looks like what we have today, this ad-hoc NIL wild west combined with the ability to basically be free agents, or even mercenaries if you prefer, at all times. Greed is to blame here, to the extent there needs to be blame, but to say it's the players' fault is a bad, bad take, I agree onceacat.

Yep, the good ones went to NFL and made millions, others got an education if they wanted, and good training, food, great facilities. Coaches salaries got out of control I agree. We will see in 10 or so years if this went right direction or or too far in terms of impacts to other sports and all levels. We talk about not being able to keep coaches at MSU because we can't pay enough but are actively trying to pay all athletes. Is all of this sustainable