NDSU to FBS almost confirmed?

[seataccat]

If the MWC is finally ready to dip into the FCS, the Montana schools, SDSU, and Davis are the next logical choices. Those additions would put it back near the top of the G6 conferences.

I thought UCD had some sort of deal with the MWC that they would be the next team to join?

[Grizzlies2026]

If the MWC is finally ready to dip into the FCS, the Montana schools, SDSU, and Davis are the next logical choices. Those additions would put it back near the top of the G6 conferences.

I thought UCD had some sort of deal with the MWC that they would be the next team to join?

That is just a clause of first consideration. It’s not nothing, but it’s not everything. The MWC can still tell them no.

[aucat]

Maybe I’m the only one, but I don’t want NDSU to move up. If they move up, I want us, um, sdsu, and usd to move up all together in the hopes we would be in the same conference. I guess I don’t fall into the team that is happy for NDSU to move up because they have been so dominant in FCS. Hated it when JMU and Sam Houston moved up as well. I’m not against moving up, I just want traditional powers or successful teams to still play each other.

No I think this is a majority opinion. There is a loud minority when it comes to this subject but anyone with a brain can see without NDSU, without Sam Houston, without JMU and on and on the National Championship at this level becomes pretty hollow.

First of all the atmosphere in Nashville this year was absolutely electric. All week long. The game was fabulous. Stadium was near capacity I don't care what they said the attendance was. The game was also electric from beginning to end. And we have experienced this euphoria once in the last 41 years. And FRANKLY, we were DAMN lucky to win that game. Illinois State way outgained us in yardage, first downs, time of possession and whipped us in the second half. WE got down to 4th and 10 and ISU made a critical mistake. THey should have FAKED a blitz and fallen back into coverage. If they had done that I don't think Taco would have been wide open. It was a miracle play as it was given Lamson slinging the ball right before he got hit.

Second, ISU was INCREDIBLY lucky to beat NDSU. If we had played NDSU in Nashville maybe we would have won, maybe we wouldn't have. ISU had us on our heels in the 2nd half.

Third, how do we know that NDSU will be ANYWHERE near as successful when they move up? Look at those teams in the Mountain West. WHat if they become mediocre within that conference and attendance falls off. THINK IDAHO. It will be interesting to say the least. But I could enjoy another trip to Nashville next year and if NDSU isn't in it, tough bananas.

[iaafan]

And FRANKLY, we were DAMN lucky to win that game. Illinois State way outgained us in yardage, first downs, time of possession and whipped us in the second half. WE got down to 4th and 10 and ISU made a critical mistake. THey should have FAKED a blitz and fallen back into coverage. If they had done that I don't think Taco would have been wide open. It was a miracle play as it was given Lamson slinging the ball right before he got hit.

ISU doesn’t get back in the game without switching their defense at halftime. If they change what got them back in the game on the last play and lose everyone is going to say that was a bad call.

Football isn’t just stats. It comes down to making plays at critical times in close games. We outplayed ISU for over three quarters, they vastly outperformed us for most of the fourth quarter. That left the game tied and rightly so.

Luck isn’t blocking kicks and exploiting opponents. If anyone got lucky in that game it was ISU. Their second TD had the good fortune of first downs on third that weren’t that allowed them to not have to go for it on fourth downs three times, a pointless pass interference and a fumble that rolled into the end zone for a TD. It’s having your opponent snap the ball while their offense isn’t ready to kill at least two drives. Basically, luck is when you don’t have to do anything to benefit from a play.

Lamson’s pass was a very difficult throw that took a great deal of poise and skill to make. Dowler easily beat his man but that doesn’t mean Lamson and the OL didn’t have to make great plays to get it to him.

[GoldstoneCat]

I wish they weren't moving up. I wanted one more shot in the postseason. I know the TV money is better in the MWC but is it really, with all the sports they have to fund, all the travel? There's no meaningful championship structure currently in place at that level. We all think and speculate that a division is coming, that the biggest will organize under the banner of the CFP and if you're not in the G6 at that time your screwed. I don't know. I would think a blowup of that proportion is going to create lots of additional opportunities for realignment.
NDSU had great tradition in D2, timed their move up perfectly with the Bakken boom and had all kinds of donor money, and came in and dominated this subdivision for 15 years. Them leaving sucks, but they raised the bar in FCS high enough that there are now 3-4 teams in the MVFC that they would consistently have to contend with. I agree it waters down the subdivision in the short term but I actually think it's kind of in a sweet spot in the NIL landscape, and that it's pretty likely more teams will step forward. I would close with this thought: will ndsu playing in the MWC next year change your fervor for the Bobcats, will it make you less likely to go to a game, to go to Nashville? It won't for me. Hell the fact that there's no chance we have to share Nashville with those mouth breathers might make me more likely to go back.

[Hi-Line Bobcat]

Maybe I’m the only one, but I don’t want NDSU to move up. If they move up, I want us, um, sdsu, and usd to move up all together in the hopes we would be in the same conference. I guess I don’t fall into the team that is happy for NDSU to move up because they have been so dominant in FCS. Hated it when JMU and Sam Houston moved up as well. I’m not against moving up, I just want traditional powers or successful teams to still play each other.

No I think this is a majority opinion. There is a loud minority when it comes to this subject but anyone with a brain can see without NDSU, without Sam Houston, without JMU and on and on the National Championship at this level becomes pretty hollow.

First of all the atmosphere in Nashville this year was absolutely electric. All week long. The game was fabulous. Stadium was near capacity I don't care what they said the attendance was. The game was also electric from beginning to end. And we have experienced this euphoria once in the last 41 years. And FRANKLY, we were DAMN lucky to win that game. Illinois State way outgained us in yardage, first downs, time of possession and whipped us in the second half. WE got down to 4th and 10 and ISU made a critical mistake. THey should have FAKED a blitz and fallen back into coverage. If they had done that I don't think Taco would have been wide open. It was a miracle play as it was given Lamson slinging the ball right before he got hit.

Second, ISU was INCREDIBLY lucky to beat NDSU. If we had played NDSU in Nashville maybe we would have won, maybe we wouldn't have. ISU had us on our heels in the 2nd half.

Third, how do we know that NDSU will be ANYWHERE near as successful when they move up? Look at those teams in the Mountain West. WHat if they become mediocre within that conference and attendance falls off. THINK IDAHO. It will be interesting to say the least. But I could enjoy another trip to Nashville next year and if NDSU isn't in it, tough bananas.

Oh I agree I had a blast in Nashville, and that’s precisely why I would want all the FCS big dogs to move up if NDSU moves up, to keep that competitive competition and familiarity. At least for me, Nashville or Frisco will lose its charm if all the good teams leave and say we stay in FCS and dominate, it wouldn’t feel the same to me. Personally I like the idea of playing the best and beating them at their best, versus playing weaker teams and dominating. I don’t know, I would be against moving up if it was just us, but would absolutely be for it if we all could move up. That’s why it would be cool if they just created a new D1 conference for football with the top FCS teams. I just don’t want MSU caught holding the bag, if all the good teams jump.

[MSU01]

I wish they weren't moving up. I wanted one more shot in the postseason. I know the TV money is better in the MWC but is it really, with all the sports they have to fund, all the travel? There's no meaningful championship structure currently in place at that level. We all think and speculate that a division is coming, that the biggest will organize under the banner of the CFP and if you're not in the G6 at that time your screwed. I don't know. I would think a blowup of that proportion is going to create lots of additional opportunities for realignment.
NDSU had great tradition in D2, timed their move up perfectly with the Bakken boom and had all kinds of donor money, and came in and dominated this subdivision for 15 years. Them leaving sucks, but they raised the bar in FCS high enough that there are now 3-4 teams in the MVFC that they would consistently have to contend with. I agree it waters down the subdivision in the short term but I actually think it's kind of in a sweet spot in the NIL landscape, and that it's pretty likely more teams will step forward. I would close with this thought: will ndsu playing in the MWC next year change your fervor for the Bobcats, will it make you less likely to go to a game, to go to Nashville? It won't for me. Hell the fact that there's no chance we have to share Nashville with those mouth breathers might make me more likely to go back.

The advantage for NDSU here is that they'll be a football-only member of the MWC and can stay in the Summit League for all their other sports. Pretty much the opposite of what UC Davis is doing, staying in the Big Sky for football but joining the MWC in everything else. I highly doubt NDSU leaving will have much affect on MSU or its fanbase other than cancelling that 2027 game in Vegas unless they can find a new opponent for MSU to play.

[GoldstoneCat]

I wish they weren't moving up. I wanted one more shot in the postseason. I know the TV money is better in the MWC but is it really, with all the sports they have to fund, all the travel? There's no meaningful championship structure currently in place at that level. We all think and speculate that a division is coming, that the biggest will organize under the banner of the CFP and if you're not in the G6 at that time your screwed. I don't know. I would think a blowup of that proportion is going to create lots of additional opportunities for realignment.
NDSU had great tradition in D2, timed their move up perfectly with the Bakken boom and had all kinds of donor money, and came in and dominated this subdivision for 15 years. Them leaving sucks, but they raised the bar in FCS high enough that there are now 3-4 teams in the MVFC that they would consistently have to contend with. I agree it waters down the subdivision in the short term but I actually think it's kind of in a sweet spot in the NIL landscape, and that it's pretty likely more teams will step forward. I would close with this thought: will ndsu playing in the MWC next year change your fervor for the Bobcats, will it make you less likely to go to a game, to go to Nashville? It won't for me. Hell the fact that there's no chance we have to share Nashville with those mouth breathers might make me more likely to go back.

The advantage for NDSU here is that they'll be a football-only member of the MWC and can stay in the Summit League for all their other sports. Pretty much the opposite of what UC Davis is doing, staying in the Big Sky for football but joining the MWC in everything else. I highly doubt NDSU leaving will have much affect on MSU or its fanbase other than cancelling that 2027 game in Vegas unless they can find a new opponent for MSU to play.

You're right, my mistake on the football only part.

[MinnesotaBobcat]

On one hand, this sucks because I really wanted the Bobcats to take the Bison out in the playoffs next year. On the other, the odds of the Brawl in Nashville just got a lot better, which would be epic.

[MSUBRONCO]

Well with them out of the way I see no reason we can't be the "new NDSU". Will be interesting with them gone

[Rich K]

After reading the story I am not as confident as almost everybody else seems to be that this will happen. I say NDSU will still be FCS next season and playing in the MVFC. The 2027 game in Las Vegas will go on as planned. I see this as just another in the long line of rumor mongering stories that helps to fill the off season.

While it's just a rumor, it does take Hauck off the FCS front page, and that's ok by me!

[catgrad05]

On one hand, this sucks because I really wanted the Bobcats to take the Bison out in the playoffs next year. On the other, the odds of the Brawl in Nashville just got a lot better, which would be epic.

I can’t imagine dUMb making it to the championship next year

[Norsky19]

Maybe I’m the only one, but I don’t want NDSU to move up. If they move up, I want us, um, sdsu, and usd to move up all together in the hopes we would be in the same conference. I guess I don’t fall into the team that is happy for NDSU to move up because they have been so dominant in FCS. Hated it when JMU and Sam Houston moved up as well. I’m not against moving up, I just want traditional powers or successful teams to still play each other.

Nope, you're not alone. I feel the same way.

Ditto. I don’t like that NDSU leaves alone. It definitely dilutes the FCS and leaves fewer quality teams. Sam Houston, JMU and NDSU are the only teams besides SDSU and the Cats to win a championship in the last 14 or so years. It is just sad. I don’t see a scenario where UM and MSU and SDSU move up for a number of years now. But who knows.

I agree. Also, weak TV markets.

[seataccat]

Maybe I’m the only one, but I don’t want NDSU to move up. If they move up, I want us, um, sdsu, and usd to move up all together in the hopes we would be in the same conference. I guess I don’t fall into the team that is happy for NDSU to move up because they have been so dominant in FCS. Hated it when JMU and Sam Houston moved up as well. I’m not against moving up, I just want traditional powers or successful teams to still play each other.

No I think this is a majority opinion. There is a loud minority when it comes to this subject but anyone with a brain can see without NDSU, without Sam Houston, without JMU and on and on the National Championship at this level becomes pretty hollow.

First of all the atmosphere in Nashville this year was absolutely electric. All week long. The game was fabulous. Stadium was near capacity I don't care what they said the attendance was. The game was also electric from beginning to end. And we have experienced this euphoria once in the last 41 years. And FRANKLY, we were DAMN lucky to win that game. Illinois State way outgained us in yardage, first downs, time of possession and whipped us in the second half. WE got down to 4th and 10 and ISU made a critical mistake. THey should have FAKED a blitz and fallen back into coverage. If they had done that I don't think Taco would have been wide open. It was a miracle play as it was given Lamson slinging the ball right before he got hit.

Second, ISU was INCREDIBLY lucky to beat NDSU. If we had played NDSU in Nashville maybe we would have won, maybe we wouldn't have. ISU had us on our heels in the 2nd half.

Third, how do we know that NDSU will be ANYWHERE near as successful when they move up? Look at those teams in the Mountain West. WHat if they become mediocre within that conference and attendance falls off. THINK IDAHO. It will be interesting to say the least. But I could enjoy another trip to Nashville next year and if NDSU isn't in it, tough bananas.

Oh I agree I had a blast in Nashville, and that’s precisely why I would want all the FCS big dogs to move up if NDSU moves up, to keep that competitive competition and familiarity. At least for me, Nashville or Frisco will lose its charm if all the good teams leave and say we stay in FCS and dominate, it wouldn’t feel the same to me. Personally I like the idea of playing the best and beating them at their best, versus playing weaker teams and dominating. I don’t know, I would be against moving up if it was just us, but would absolutely be for it if we all could move up. That’s why it would be cool if they just created a new D1 conference for football with the top FCS teams. I just don’t want MSU caught holding the bag, if all the good teams jump.

Although eveyone has been saying this for years I remember the mass exodus that happened after the cats won the championship in 84. All the good teams left and everyone said the IAA wouldn't be competitive after Western Kentucky, Arkansas State, Louisiana tech, North Texas, Central Florida, Boise State and Nevada all left amoung dozens of others and teams just kept stepping up behind them.

[CalgaryCat]

Maybe I’m the only one, but I don’t want NDSU to move up. If they move up, I want us, um, sdsu, and usd to move up all together in the hopes we would be in the same conference. I guess I don’t fall into the team that is happy for NDSU to move up because they have been so dominant in FCS. Hated it when JMU and Sam Houston moved up as well. I’m not against moving up, I just want traditional powers or successful teams to still play each other.

No I think this is a majority opinion. There is a loud minority when it comes to this subject but anyone with a brain can see without NDSU, without Sam Houston, without JMU and on and on the National Championship at this level becomes pretty hollow.

First of all the atmosphere in Nashville this year was absolutely electric. All week long. The game was fabulous. Stadium was near capacity I don't care what they said the attendance was. The game was also electric from beginning to end. And we have experienced this euphoria once in the last 41 years. And FRANKLY, we were DAMN lucky to win that game. Illinois State way outgained us in yardage, first downs, time of possession and whipped us in the second half. WE got down to 4th and 10 and ISU made a critical mistake. THey should have FAKED a blitz and fallen back into coverage. If they had done that I don't think Taco would have been wide open. It was a miracle play as it was given Lamson slinging the ball right before he got hit.

Second, ISU was INCREDIBLY lucky to beat NDSU. If we had played NDSU in Nashville maybe we would have won, maybe we wouldn't have. ISU had us on our heels in the 2nd half.

Third, how do we know that NDSU will be ANYWHERE near as successful when they move up? Look at those teams in the Mountain West. WHat if they become mediocre within that conference and attendance falls off. THINK IDAHO. It will be interesting to say the least. But I could enjoy another trip to Nashville next year and if NDSU isn't in it, tough bananas.

Oh I agree I had a blast in Nashville, and that’s precisely why I would want all the FCS big dogs to move up if NDSU moves up, to keep that competitive competition and familiarity. At least for me, Nashville or Frisco will lose its charm if all the good teams leave and say we stay in FCS and dominate, it wouldn’t feel the same to me. Personally I like the idea of playing the best and beating them at their best, versus playing weaker teams and dominating. I don’t know, I would be against moving up if it was just us, but would absolutely be for it if we all could move up. That’s why it would be cool if they just created a new D1 conference for football with the top FCS teams. I just don’t want MSU caught holding the bag, if all the good teams jump.

Although eveyone has been saying this for years I remember the mass exodus that happened after the cats won the championship in 84. All the good teams left and everyone said the IAA wouldn't be competitive after Western Kentucky, Arkansas State, Louisiana tech, North Texas, Central Florida, Boise State and Nevada all left amoung dozens of others and teams just kept stepping up behind them.

Honest question, as I was not around at the time: were there only 4-5 teams consistently in real contention for the championship in those days or was it a wider field? If NDSU moves on, I can only think of 4-5 that would have a shot, the gris being one of them. And this gris team should not be anywhere near championship discussion

[GoldstoneCat]

After reading the story I am not as confident as almost everybody else seems to be that this will happen. I say NDSU will still be FCS next season and playing in the MVFC. The 2027 game in Las Vegas will go on as planned. I see this as just another in the long line of rumor mongering stories that helps to fill the off season.

While it's just a rumor, it does take Hauck off the FCS front page, and that's ok by me!

It would be effing hilarious if this doesn't happen at this point, the way they're flexing and gloating all over social media. I would love to see it fall apart and then watch them finish 3rd in the MVFC next year.

[seataccat]

Maybe I’m the only one, but I don’t want NDSU to move up. If they move up, I want us, um, sdsu, and usd to move up all together in the hopes we would be in the same conference. I guess I don’t fall into the team that is happy for NDSU to move up because they have been so dominant in FCS. Hated it when JMU and Sam Houston moved up as well. I’m not against moving up, I just want traditional powers or successful teams to still play each other.

No I think this is a majority opinion. There is a loud minority when it comes to this subject but anyone with a brain can see without NDSU, without Sam Houston, without JMU and on and on the National Championship at this level becomes pretty hollow.

First of all the atmosphere in Nashville this year was absolutely electric. All week long. The game was fabulous. Stadium was near capacity I don't care what they said the attendance was. The game was also electric from beginning to end. And we have experienced this euphoria once in the last 41 years. And FRANKLY, we were DAMN lucky to win that game. Illinois State way outgained us in yardage, first downs, time of possession and whipped us in the second half. WE got down to 4th and 10 and ISU made a critical mistake. THey should have FAKED a blitz and fallen back into coverage. If they had done that I don't think Taco would have been wide open. It was a miracle play as it was given Lamson slinging the ball right before he got hit.

Second, ISU was INCREDIBLY lucky to beat NDSU. If we had played NDSU in Nashville maybe we would have won, maybe we wouldn't have. ISU had us on our heels in the 2nd half.

Third, how do we know that NDSU will be ANYWHERE near as successful when they move up? Look at those teams in the Mountain West. WHat if they become mediocre within that conference and attendance falls off. THINK IDAHO. It will be interesting to say the least. But I could enjoy another trip to Nashville next year and if NDSU isn't in it, tough bananas.

Oh I agree I had a blast in Nashville, and that’s precisely why I would want all the FCS big dogs to move up if NDSU moves up, to keep that competitive competition and familiarity. At least for me, Nashville or Frisco will lose its charm if all the good teams leave and say we stay in FCS and dominate, it wouldn’t feel the same to me. Personally I like the idea of playing the best and beating them at their best, versus playing weaker teams and dominating. I don’t know, I would be against moving up if it was just us, but would absolutely be for it if we all could move up. That’s why it would be cool if they just created a new D1 conference for football with the top FCS teams. I just don’t want MSU caught holding the bag, if all the good teams jump.

Although eveyone has been saying this for years I remember the mass exodus that happened after the cats won the championship in 84. All the good teams left and everyone said the IAA wouldn't be competitive after Western Kentucky, Arkansas State, Louisiana tech, North Texas, Central Florida, Boise State and Nevada all left amoung dozens of others and teams just kept stepping up behind them.

Honest question, as I was not around at the time: were there only 4-5 teams consistently in real contention for the championship in those days or was it a wider field? If NDSU moves on, I can only think of 4-5 that would have a shot, the gris being one of them. And this gris team should not be anywhere near championship discussion

I think it was probably a wider field. But to be honest, how many people thought Illinois State was in the team of four or five teams thought to be contenders this year? There is always going to be teams up and down in the coming years that will be competitive.

[AFCAT]

Maybe I’m the only one, but I don’t want NDSU to move up. If they move up, I want us, um, sdsu, and usd to move up all together in the hopes we would be in the same conference. I guess I don’t fall into the team that is happy for NDSU to move up because they have been so dominant in FCS. Hated it when JMU and Sam Houston moved up as well. I’m not against moving up, I just want traditional powers or successful teams to still play each other.

No I think this is a majority opinion. There is a loud minority when it comes to this subject but anyone with a brain can see without NDSU, without Sam Houston, without JMU and on and on the National Championship at this level becomes pretty hollow.

First of all the atmosphere in Nashville this year was absolutely electric. All week long. The game was fabulous. Stadium was near capacity I don't care what they said the attendance was. The game was also electric from beginning to end. And we have experienced this euphoria once in the last 41 years. And FRANKLY, we were DAMN lucky to win that game. Illinois State way outgained us in yardage, first downs, time of possession and whipped us in the second half. WE got down to 4th and 10 and ISU made a critical mistake. THey should have FAKED a blitz and fallen back into coverage. If they had done that I don't think Taco would have been wide open. It was a miracle play as it was given Lamson slinging the ball right before he got hit.

Second, ISU was INCREDIBLY lucky to beat NDSU. If we had played NDSU in Nashville maybe we would have won, maybe we wouldn't have. ISU had us on our heels in the 2nd half.

Third, how do we know that NDSU will be ANYWHERE near as successful when they move up? Look at those teams in the Mountain West. WHat if they become mediocre within that conference and attendance falls off. THINK IDAHO. It will be interesting to say the least. But I could enjoy another trip to Nashville next year and if NDSU isn't in it, tough bananas.

Oh I agree I had a blast in Nashville, and that’s precisely why I would want all the FCS big dogs to move up if NDSU moves up, to keep that competitive competition and familiarity. At least for me, Nashville or Frisco will lose its charm if all the good teams leave and say we stay in FCS and dominate, it wouldn’t feel the same to me. Personally I like the idea of playing the best and beating them at their best, versus playing weaker teams and dominating. I don’t know, I would be against moving up if it was just us, but would absolutely be for it if we all could move up. That’s why it would be cool if they just created a new D1 conference for football with the top FCS teams. I just don’t want MSU caught holding the bag, if all the good teams jump.

Although eveyone has been saying this for years I remember the mass exodus that happened after the cats won the championship in 84. All the good teams left and everyone said the IAA wouldn't be competitive after Western Kentucky, Arkansas State, Louisiana tech, North Texas, Central Florida, Boise State and Nevada all left amoung dozens of others and teams just kept stepping up behind them.

Yup. NDSU didn't start the move up to FCS until 2003-04 and look at what they became.

[CalgaryCat]

Maybe I’m the only one, but I don’t want NDSU to move up. If they move up, I want us, um, sdsu, and usd to move up all together in the hopes we would be in the same conference. I guess I don’t fall into the team that is happy for NDSU to move up because they have been so dominant in FCS. Hated it when JMU and Sam Houston moved up as well. I’m not against moving up, I just want traditional powers or successful teams to still play each other.

No I think this is a majority opinion. There is a loud minority when it comes to this subject but anyone with a brain can see without NDSU, without Sam Houston, without JMU and on and on the National Championship at this level becomes pretty hollow.

First of all the atmosphere in Nashville this year was absolutely electric. All week long. The game was fabulous. Stadium was near capacity I don't care what they said the attendance was. The game was also electric from beginning to end. And we have experienced this euphoria once in the last 41 years. And FRANKLY, we were DAMN lucky to win that game. Illinois State way outgained us in yardage, first downs, time of possession and whipped us in the second half. WE got down to 4th and 10 and ISU made a critical mistake. THey should have FAKED a blitz and fallen back into coverage. If they had done that I don't think Taco would have been wide open. It was a miracle play as it was given Lamson slinging the ball right before he got hit.

Second, ISU was INCREDIBLY lucky to beat NDSU. If we had played NDSU in Nashville maybe we would have won, maybe we wouldn't have. ISU had us on our heels in the 2nd half.

Third, how do we know that NDSU will be ANYWHERE near as successful when they move up? Look at those teams in the Mountain West. WHat if they become mediocre within that conference and attendance falls off. THINK IDAHO. It will be interesting to say the least. But I could enjoy another trip to Nashville next year and if NDSU isn't in it, tough bananas.

Oh I agree I had a blast in Nashville, and that’s precisely why I would want all the FCS big dogs to move up if NDSU moves up, to keep that competitive competition and familiarity. At least for me, Nashville or Frisco will lose its charm if all the good teams leave and say we stay in FCS and dominate, it wouldn’t feel the same to me. Personally I like the idea of playing the best and beating them at their best, versus playing weaker teams and dominating. I don’t know, I would be against moving up if it was just us, but would absolutely be for it if we all could move up. That’s why it would be cool if they just created a new D1 conference for football with the top FCS teams. I just don’t want MSU caught holding the bag, if all the good teams jump.

Although eveyone has been saying this for years I remember the mass exodus that happened after the cats won the championship in 84. All the good teams left and everyone said the IAA wouldn't be competitive after Western Kentucky, Arkansas State, Louisiana tech, North Texas, Central Florida, Boise State and Nevada all left amoung dozens of others and teams just kept stepping up behind them.

Honest question, as I was not around at the time: were there only 4-5 teams consistently in real contention for the championship in those days or was it a wider field? If NDSU moves on, I can only think of 4-5 that would have a shot, the gris being one of them. And this gris team should not be anywhere near championship discussion

I think it was probably a wider field. But to be honest, how many people thought Illinois State was in the team of four or five teams thought to be contenders this year? There is always going to be teams up and down in the coming years that will be competitive.

I know if NDSU leaves someone like ISU/Tarleton will probably fill the void of “competitive teams” but NDSU leaving is objectively bad for the FCS

[ZebraCat]

The field has never really been wide open. Each decade has had one or two dominant programs, with a 3rd or 4th that is right there as well. Everyone else was fighting for a seat at the table. The 80s and early 90s were dominated by Eastern Kentucky and Georgia Southern. The early 90s to early 2000s were dominated by Georgia Southern, Marshall, Youngstown, and Montana. The 80s, 90s, and early 2000s saw a strong Furman and Delaware, and Delware became a force in the 2000s with App State and JMU. The 10s were dominated by NDSU obviously, with JMU being their main antagonist. Sam Houston and Eastern Washington were at the top as well. The 20s has seen SDSU and MSU push into the top tier.

The FCS has been amazingly cyclical. The beginning of a new decade has almost always seen a new program or two become a bully. I think people lose sight of that fact with how dominant NDSU has been. Tarleton has replaced Sam Houston. MSU has replaced JMU. SDSU has replaced Eastrrn Washington. While the FCS may be watered down, it's really not any different than it always has been.