If I'm the WAC, instead of wasting my time with all these Texas schools, I take SUU and Dixie State (I think that second one is already done, except the WAC's football status isn't settled yet) and then try to negotiate for the rest of the southern half of the already ridiculously bloated Big Sky. If SUU can bolt to the WAC, then Northern Arizona, Weber State, Northern Colorado, and maybe Sacramento State could be convinced. Big Sky football-only members Cal Poly and UC-Davis might be tempted to leave the Big West and bring their whole shows to a new WAC. Of course, this would disrupt the current, non-football WAC members, but they could be spun-off into another new non-football conference. I just think that with money being such an issue in FCS, conferences should be looking to reduce their travel footprints as much as possible.
Anything on West Texas A&M? They could be the carrot to get the Southland schools to join. There is smoke there that they will jump to D1 since they are not happy with D2 leadership. They used to be in the same conference with New Mexico State in the Border and MVC before they dropped to D2.
I was told that it is certainly possible that they could jump in the future, but that no D2 Texas programs are likely to make any jump NOW, especially with COVID providing such cost uncertainty. I could see a world where multiple D2 Texas schools eventually reclassify, but not in the immediate future.
They stand out to me since they seemed to be more out on an island in D2 right now. Trips to UTEP, Northern Arizona, New Mexico State, Grand Canyon U., Air Force, Texas Tech, Abilene Christian and others in the area might be easier for their football team and other sports when you only have Eastern New Mexico close by. Plus a little further out with Lubback Christian, UTPB and Western New Mexico. That would be saving money on trips, and you do get more money to playing bodybag games with Texas Tech.
Why I said West Texas A&M right now is that McBroom slammed D2 leadership in a sports podcast back in late September, and mentioned going to D1. It has to do more about playing football, and they can't play schools like Texas Tech right now because of the rule that FBS can't play D2 schools. I do think getting them now could help lure the Southland schools to joining the WAC because of their history in D1 before.
Yes, I'm aware, you've pointed this particular interview several times. At the end of the day, the AD is not who decides what conference to play in, and *really* doesn't decide if a school should reclassify. That's a presidential decision. And based on what I've been hearing, those leaders are not ready to make the investments needed to make those changes. Maybe that changes in the future.
If I'm the WAC, instead of wasting my time with all these Texas schools, I take SUU and Dixie State (I think that second one is already done, except the WAC's football status isn't settled yet) and then try to negotiate for the rest of the southern half of the already ridiculously bloated Big Sky. If SUU can bolt to the WAC, then Northern Arizona, Weber State, Northern Colorado, and maybe Sacramento State could be convinced. Big Sky football-only members Cal Poly and UC-Davis might be tempted to leave the Big West and bring their whole shows to a new WAC. Of course, this would disrupt the current, non-football WAC members, but they could be spun-off into another new non-football conference. I just think that with money being such an issue in FCS, conferences should be looking to reduce their travel footprints as much as possible.
What the hell is wrong with James Madison?
Nothing? They're good at football?
Anything on West Texas A&M? They could be the carrot to get the Southland schools to join. There is smoke there that they will jump to D1 since they are not happy with D2 leadership. They used to be in the same conference with New Mexico State in the Border and MVC before they dropped to D2.
I was told that it is certainly possible that they could jump in the future, but that no D2 Texas programs are likely to make any jump NOW, especially with COVID providing such cost uncertainty. I could see a world where multiple D2 Texas schools eventually reclassify, but not in the immediate future.
They stand out to me since they seemed to be more out on an island in D2 right now. Trips to UTEP, Northern Arizona, New Mexico State, Grand Canyon U., Air Force, Texas Tech, Abilene Christian and others in the area might be easier for their football team and other sports when you only have Eastern New Mexico close by. Plus a little further out with Lubback Christian, UTPB and Western New Mexico. That would be saving money on trips, and you do get more money to playing bodybag games with Texas Tech.
Why I said West Texas A&M right now is that McBroom slammed D2 leadership in a sports podcast back in late September, and mentioned going to D1. It has to do more about playing football, and they can't play schools like Texas Tech right now because of the rule that FBS can't play D2 schools. I do think getting them now could help lure the Southland schools to joining the WAC because of their history in D1 before.
Yes, I'm aware, you've pointed this particular interview several times. At the end of the day, the AD is not who decides what conference to play in, and *really* doesn't decide if a school should reclassify. That's a presidential decision. And based on what I've been hearing, those leaders are not ready to make the investments needed to make those changes. Maybe that changes in the future.