Mountain West Conference meeting

[msuhunter]

The problem is the Montana schools, as dictated by the BOR, are joined at the hip. In reality, um is dragging MSU down. um enrollment is suffering, and they have really poor academics compared to the MW schools. They are holding MSU back.

[91catAlum]

You are who you hang out with. We've already reached the point for Montana State and Montana that it is almost a complete detriment to be in the Big Sky with many of the members of the conference.

So question for you if you want to answer it.

On your show, Ryan Tootell said he was giving ot 60/40 the griz beat Illinois State. I think it was Ty Gregorak? Thinks that The griz get manhandled. Your thoughts? I mean given how the Bobcats didn’t win the lines definitely and it could be argued the 2nd half the lines were not controlled by the Cats at all, I would argue the griz probably woulsve been rolled.

It was Colter's brother who said the griz would've gotten rolled by ISU.
If Tootell thinks the griz O line or front 6 hold up against ISU, I'd like to try whatever it is he's smoking.

[PHAT CAT]

You are who you hang out with. We've already reached the point for Montana State and Montana that it is almost a complete detriment to be in the Big Sky with many of the members of the conference.

So question for you if you want to answer it.

On your show, Ryan Tootell said he was giving ot 60/40 the griz beat Illinois State. I think it was Ty Gregorak? Thinks that The griz get manhandled. Your thoughts? I mean given how the Bobcats didn’t win the lines definitely and it could be argued the 2nd half the lines were not controlled by the Cats at all, I would argue the griz probably woulsve been rolled.

It was Colter's brother who said the griz would've gotten rolled by ISU.
If Tootell thinks the griz O line or front 6 hold up against ISU, I'd like to try whatever it is he's smoking.

Knock, knock. Who's there? "Dave." Dave's not here.

[Utcatsfan]

The problem is the Montana schools, as dictated by the BOR, are joined at the hip. In reality, um is dragging MSU down. um enrollment is suffering, and they have really poor academics compared to the MW schools. They are holding MSU back.

When UM was offered to move up to the WAC back in 2010 they refused because they didn't want to leave us behind. Personally I'd want us to stick together, the TV numbers for our playoff game showed we can provide a good product for Media.

[catgrad05]

Not on Xitter, but I saw this post on egris and it made me wonder. I feel like SOMEONE on here would have heard something if it was happening, but you never know.

I’m willing to bet this is just a ploy to get more views and the new member bit is discussing the ones already announced in more depth

[Montanabob]

Not on Xitter, but I saw this post on egris and it made me wonder. I feel like SOMEONE on here would have heard something if it was happening, but you never know.

I’m willing to bet this is just a ploy to get more views and the new member bit is discussing the ones already announced in more depth

On thing pointed out some was 31 mar 26 as the latest date for what ever teams were involved to avoid conference departure fees for play in 2027.

[St George]

Anyone that watched or attended either the Super Brawl or the National Championship in Nashville should not want to move up to the FBS. Oh boy get a 50-50 season and an invite to play in the Potato Bowl or the Cricket Bowl in Provo Utah, the Fracking Bowl in Fargo or the Hooker Bowl in Reno. Ok the Hooker Bowl might be fun.

PS: If any conference wants MSU to move up, they should be the ones to pay for all costs, including labeling the field, etc.

[thisnamesucks]

There’s no guarantee after the major realignment that is coming early 2030s that the remaining G5 teams don’t adapt a playoff for their division

[CalgaryCat]

There’s no guarantee after the major realignment that is coming early 2030s that the remaining G5 teams don’t adapt a playoff for their division

I’d say it’s almost a guarantee. There’s not going to be sponsor money for a G6 bowl system

[thisnamesucks]

There’s no guarantee after the major realignment that is coming early 2030s that the remaining G5 teams don’t adapt a playoff for their division

I’d say it’s almost a guarantee. There’s not going to be sponsor money for a G6 bowl system

That’s what I was intending to say, my double negative post didn’t help

[ADOKmt]

Saw this on X. We aren't even close to being in the same financial world as these teams, unfortunately. We would need to double our AD budget to make the bottom of this list.

[Montanabob]

Saw this on X. We aren't even close to being in the same financial world as these teams, unfortunately. We would need to double our AD budget to make the bottom of this list.

First off. The top folks are not MW.
And it has nothing to do with what the mid to lower MW are spending which is EXACTLTY what the Montana schools are spending.

[ADOKmt]

Just a point of reference. I know I think that we would step into the MWC and immediately compete, at least in football. But knowing that programs like Texas State and Utah State are double our budget and getting the results they have is worth noting.

[84CatGrad]

I am once again very against moving up to the current FBS climate. Big fish in a small pond beats playing in the goddamn Idaho Potato Bowl as the best possible ending to our season

[Hell's Bells]

I am once again very against moving up to the current FBS climate. Big fish in a small pond beats playing in the goddamn Idaho Potato Bowl as the best possible ending to our season

Exactly. We would be the "also-rans" of the FBS during the best years
To have the run that Boise had during 2005 to around what...2012...is rare

[MSU01]

Big Sky/FCS: Mostly unexciting regular season, fun and compelling postseason
Mountain West/FBS: Fun and compelling regular season, mostly unexciting postseason

[technoCat]

Big Sky/FCS: Mostly unexciting regular season, fun and compelling postseason
Mountain West/FBS: Fun and compelling regular season, mostly unexciting postseason

Why would I care any more about playing New Mexico State than NAU?

[Prodigal Cat]

Big Sky/FCS: Mostly unexciting regular season, fun and compelling postseason
Mountain West/FBS: Fun and compelling regular season, mostly unexciting postseason

Why would I care any more about playing New Mexico State than NAU?

New Mexico State is not in the Mountain West. University of New Mexico is and they were probably on par with the Cats last season. Would have been a fun matchup. If the Cats joined the MWC they would have several more competitive games on the schedule than the 2-3 they will have next season prior to the playoffs. 9 to 10 of the Cat games next year the winning team will not be in doubt… at all. 3/4 of the Big Sky is not good to just flat out bad right now.

[MSU01]

Big Sky/FCS: Mostly unexciting regular season, fun and compelling postseason
Mountain West/FBS: Fun and compelling regular season, mostly unexciting postseason

Why would I care any more about playing New Mexico State than NAU?

That's one example using a team that isn't even in the Mountain West. I find it hard to believe that anyone could argue the point that MSU wouldn't have a more interesting and competitive regular season schedule at the FBS level than it currently does in the FCS and Big Sky when 2/3 or more of its games are over at halftime. I'm not trying to argue that MSU should or shouldn't move up if they get invited, but a full look at the pros and cons of moving should take into account more than simply the tired argument about not wanting to play in crappy bowl games.

[BlueAndGoldNation]

Big Sky/FCS: Mostly unexciting regular season, fun and compelling postseason
Mountain West/FBS: Fun and compelling regular season, mostly unexciting postseason

Why would I care any more about playing New Mexico State than NAU?

Having core regional rivalry games against Montana, NDSU, Wyoming, and Nevada every year sounds kind of cool. The out of conference games we could get would also be interesting. When was the last time we played Boise State at home? What about WSU? I think we could schedule a home and away with teams of that caliber. A Boise State Gold Rush would go so unbelievably crazy compared to... Butler? McNeese? Maine? SDSU was a rare case where we had a good home opener.

I know we play Montana and NDSU (almost) every year anyways, but what if NDSU moves up and leaves us here? We would likely be the new king of the FCS, and perhaps be labeled as the "New NDSU" who everyone hates and tells to move up. I like the idea of that too. To win 8 titles in 10 years sounds like a lot of fun, but most of the time that means there is nothing left to prove, and it's time to move on to a new challenge to push the program even further.

My perfect scenario is we win at least 2 of the next 3 titles, then time it perfectly to join the MWC when the realignment happens around 2030. We would leave our FCS era while sitting on the top of the mountain, and enter a new, healthier FBS landscape where there are separate Power 4 and Group of 5 playoffs, transfer regulations etc... Think of the G5 as the "New FCS", and I do believe us getting to the G5 playoffs would be a lot easier to achieve than the current CFP...

Does that scenario change anything for you guys? I'm fine either way, but this moving up thing looks to be more inevitable with each passing day. Mythical "Big Gift", stadium expansions, athletic facility upgrades, the growth of Bozeman, student enrollment records broken every year... It all seems to be pointing to one thing. Our goal is to compete at the highest level possible. I trust in Costello to do what's best for the program.