Mountain West Conference meeting

[catatac]

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.

My biggest fear with a move up is if it ended up messing up the greatest football rivalry in the history of football. That would be absolutely tragic.

[PHAT CAT]

The Vikings will still play the Packers. Don't worry.

[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?

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.

Probably got UNM and Utah State twisted into that. Kind of proves my point though, I watch a lot of college football and had no idea that NMSU was in conference USA. All I'm saying is that people could say the exact same think about the bottom of the G5 conferences as the do about the bottom of the BSC. Boise State fans don't really care when they play Hawaii or San Jose State because those games are rarely competitive.

At the end of the day, I think we need to move up to make sure we don't get left behind in what becomes the "3rd" level of college football and I hope at that point a playoff is instituted. I just find it kind of funny that people think that average fans will find regular season games significantly more entertaining because we are playing Nevada-Reno instead of Idaho State.

[CalgaryCat]

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.

Probably got UNM and Utah State twisted into that. Kind of proves my point though, I watch a lot of college football and had no idea that NMSU was in conference USA. All I'm saying is that people could say the exact same think about the bottom of the G5 conferences as the do about the bottom of the BSC. Boise State fans don't really care when they play Hawaii or San Jose State because those games are rarely competitive.

At the end of the day, I think we need to move up to make sure we don't get left behind in what becomes the "3rd" level of college football and I hope at that point a playoff is instituted. I just find it kind of funny that people think that average fans will find regular season games significantly more entertaining because we are playing Nevada-Reno instead of Idaho State.

The average regular season game as a MWC member would be much better than the average regular season game as a BSC member. That doesn’t mean that every game in the MWC would be decent or that every BSC regular season game is a glorified scrimmage.

If simply winning a championship of any kind is so important to some of you, why not just drop down to Division II and absolutely dominate? I for one think it’s important for MSU auto excel at its best possible level, and if a G6 conference appears, I think that would count.

[Cataholic]

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.

Probably got UNM and Utah State twisted into that. Kind of proves my point though, I watch a lot of college football and had no idea that NMSU was in conference USA. All I'm saying is that people could say the exact same think about the bottom of the G5 conferences as the do about the bottom of the BSC. Boise State fans don't really care when they play Hawaii or San Jose State because those games are rarely competitive.

At the end of the day, I think we need to move up to make sure we don't get left behind in what becomes the "3rd" level of college football and I hope at that point a playoff is instituted. I just find it kind of funny that people think that average fans will find regular season games significantly more entertaining because we are playing Nevada-Reno instead of Idaho State.

Unfortunately, we are already at a third level of football.

[CalgaryCat]

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.

Probably got UNM and Utah State twisted into that. Kind of proves my point though, I watch a lot of college football and had no idea that NMSU was in conference USA. All I'm saying is that people could say the exact same think about the bottom of the G5 conferences as the do about the bottom of the BSC. Boise State fans don't really care when they play Hawaii or San Jose State because those games are rarely competitive.

At the end of the day, I think we need to move up to make sure we don't get left behind in what becomes the "3rd" level of college football and I hope at that point a playoff is instituted. I just find it kind of funny that people think that average fans will find regular season games significantly more entertaining because we are playing Nevada-Reno instead of Idaho State.

Unfortunately, we are already at a third level of football.

True, it’s just that the first and second levels haven’t officially separated yet.

[grizzh8r]

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.

Probably got UNM and Utah State twisted into that. Kind of proves my point though, I watch a lot of college football and had no idea that NMSU was in conference USA. All I'm saying is that people could say the exact same think about the bottom of the G5 conferences as the do about the bottom of the BSC. Boise State fans don't really care when they play Hawaii or San Jose State because those games are rarely competitive.

At the end of the day, I think we need to move up to make sure we don't get left behind in what becomes the "3rd" level of college football and I hope at that point a playoff is instituted. I just find it kind of funny that people think that average fans will find regular season games significantly more entertaining because we are playing Nevada-Reno instead of Idaho State.

You must not have been paying much attention the last few years. BSU of this decade has not been nearly as successful as the 15 years prior. If anything, th 2024 team was the outlier. My BIL lives in Boise and has season tickets, so I follow them a bit, as my only nephew is obsessed with the Broncos

[aucat]

Attendance at Bobcat Stadium would drop significantly as there as no way that Montana State would be a consistent championship contender in the FBS. What is entertaining about watching a football team that cannot compete?
Compare the experience of going to Nashville for the NC game where the entire town was covered in blue and gold, the stadium was close to capacity and the game garned a large TV audience to attending the Weedeater Bowl somewhere in front of 10,000 people and where no one in the hosting city even knows there is a game. Ask Idaho how it worked out, or for that matter most of the teams that have made the move. If anything I expect to see more teams move back to the FCS division like Idaho did.

[GoldstoneCat]

Attendance at Bobcat Stadium would drop significantly as there as no way that Montana State would be a consistent championship contender in the FBS. What is entertaining about watching a football team that cannot compete?
Compare the experience of going to Nashville for the NC game where the entire town was covered in blue and gold, the stadium was close to capacity and the game garned a large TV audience to attending the Weedeater Bowl somewhere in front of 10,000 people and where no one in the hosting city even knows there is a game. Ask Idaho how it worked out, or for that matter most of the teams that have made the move. If anything I expect to see more teams move back to the FCS division like Idaho did.

There's a split in "FBS" coming. I agree we would not compete for championships today in the top level of football as its constituted. I think we would/ could if that level was the top of FCS combined with the G6. Getting left out of that, if and when it happens, would be the tragedy we're hoping to avoid.

[catgrad05]

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.

Probably got UNM and Utah State twisted into that. Kind of proves my point though, I watch a lot of college football and had no idea that NMSU was in conference USA. All I'm saying is that people could say the exact same think about the bottom of the G5 conferences as the do about the bottom of the BSC. Boise State fans don't really care when they play Hawaii or San Jose State because those games are rarely competitive.

At the end of the day, I think we need to move up to make sure we don't get left behind in what becomes the "3rd" level of college football and I hope at that point a playoff is instituted. I just find it kind of funny that people think that average fans will find regular season games significantly more entertaining because we are playing Nevada-Reno instead of Idaho State.

Unfortunately, we are already at a third level of football.

True, it’s just that the first and second levels haven’t officially separated yet.

The P4 and G6 haven’t split? Then why are they referred to in that manner? The split has already happened it’s just that the second tier has one maybe two opportunities a year to compete in the playoffs. IMO it’s no different than the pioneer league getting an auto bid to the FCS playoffs. One team gets to feel apart of the system but it’s only real chance of success is a playoff birth

[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?

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.

Probably got UNM and Utah State twisted into that. Kind of proves my point though, I watch a lot of college football and had no idea that NMSU was in conference USA. All I'm saying is that people could say the exact same think about the bottom of the G5 conferences as the do about the bottom of the BSC. Boise State fans don't really care when they play Hawaii or San Jose State because those games are rarely competitive.

At the end of the day, I think we need to move up to make sure we don't get left behind in what becomes the "3rd" level of college football and I hope at that point a playoff is instituted. I just find it kind of funny that people think that average fans will find regular season games significantly more entertaining because we are playing Nevada-Reno instead of Idaho State.

Unfortunately, we are already at a third level of football.

True, it’s just that the first and second levels haven’t officially separated yet.

The P4 and G6 haven’t split? Then why are they referred to in that manner? The split has already happened it’s just that the second tier has one maybe two opportunities a year to compete in the playoffs. IMO it’s no different than the pioneer league getting an auto bid to the FCS playoffs. One team gets to feel apart of the system but it’s only real chance of success is a playoff birth

It hasn't officially happened yet. From all accounts, the G5 know their shot at a FBS title is little to none, and they want to have their own playoffs separate from the P4 playoffs. The P4 money is too great for the G5 to compete, and the P4 "College Super League" is going to basically become a fully regulated "professional sports" league with a committee and commissioner. The teams in that league are going to get ALL the TV money, and we will slowly see the meaningless bowl games die as those companies shift their resources to sponsering games in the newly expanded Playoff structures. I even saw something today that the CFB is about to allow up to 2 Sponser badges on the jerseys like they do in the NBA or Soccer. It's becoming all about money, and the official split will take place in accordance with that. Everyone knows the way things currently are at the FBS level is not working, and things are going to change in the next 5 years.

If the Cats don't move up, I'll be happy because we are likely going to dominate at the Third Tier and be the new FCS kings. But if we see even more of our FCS rivals move up into the new G5 landscape, where they are competitive in that space immediately, it would give me reason to say maybe we should have moved up. Maybe we miss the boat, and now we are locked out from moving up for the foreseeable future. That right there, would suck. I'm trusting Costello to do what is best for the program. He's done so well so far, and I don't think any decision he makes will be a rash one. If he thinks our financials are there, and the timing is right to move up, I'll trust him.

NCAA approves rule change to allow commercial sponsorship patches on uniforms - CBS Sports https://share.google/UfbvUKo3ZipEqbTLT

[Prodigal Cat]

Attendance at Bobcat Stadium would drop significantly as there as no way that Montana State would be a consistent championship contender in the FBS. What is entertaining about watching a football team that cannot compete?
Compare the experience of going to Nashville for the NC game where the entire town was covered in blue and gold, the stadium was close to capacity and the game garned a large TV audience to attending the Weedeater Bowl somewhere in front of 10,000 people and where no one in the hosting city even knows there is a game. Ask Idaho how it worked out, or for that matter most of the teams that have made the move. If anything I expect to see more teams move back to the FCS division like Idaho did.

This is objectively false. The thing that determines interest is competitiveness. Either way. After a decade plus of dominance NDSU attendance was withered to where they have a hard time getting over half full for playoff games. Only when they host teams like the Jacks or Cats do they get crowds. They are bored with the dominance. Conversely UNM has struggled to draw crowds in the past because they were uncompetitive but last year they drew very well, over 30K for their season final because they’ve been much better.
I completely reject the idea that the Bobcats wouldn’t compete in the MWC. If you posit they can’t make up the financial differences ok, that’s reasonable. But saying they wouldn’t compete on the field is false. They nearly beat bowl eligible Wyoming in 2021 and did beat UNM last season. They will likely be multiple score favorites against Nevada this fall. People would still go and watch that.

[MSU01]

Attendance at Bobcat Stadium would drop significantly as there as no way that Montana State would be a consistent championship contender in the FBS. What is entertaining about watching a football team that cannot compete?
Compare the experience of going to Nashville for the NC game where the entire town was covered in blue and gold, the stadium was close to capacity and the game garned a large TV audience to attending the Weedeater Bowl somewhere in front of 10,000 people and where no one in the hosting city even knows there is a game. Ask Idaho how it worked out, or for that matter most of the teams that have made the move. If anything I expect to see more teams move back to the FCS division like Idaho did.

This is objectively false. The thing that determines interest is competitiveness. Either way. After a decade plus of dominance NDSU attendance was withered to where they have a hard time getting over half full for playoff games. Only when they host teams like the Jacks or Cats do they get crowds. They are bored with the dominance. Conversely UNM has struggled to draw crowds in the past because they were uncompetitive but last year they drew very well, over 30K for their season final because they’ve been much better.
I completely reject the idea that the Bobcats wouldn’t compete in the MWC. If you posit they can’t make up the financial differences ok, that’s reasonable. But saying they wouldn’t compete on the field is false. They nearly beat bowl eligible Wyoming in 2021 and did beat UNM last season. They will likely be multiple score favorites against Nevada this fall. People would still go and watch that.

I also completely reject the idea that the same fanbase that will happily show up for 57-3 or 66-14 blowouts against Big Sky opponents that are over by the second quarter wouldn't also show up for actual close, competitive games against MWC opponents. Even if MSU lost a few more home games than they do now.