(04-15-2014 01:32 AM)SoCalBobcat78 Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:38 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  My thoughts.

1. Idaho has a viable option were they to go FCS. The Big Sky is ready and willing to take the Vandals and there are some games to be played in the Big Sky that will sell more tickets than playing Sun Belt Schools. Future schedules show only one game vs. Washington State or Boise State the two nearest schools of interest in FBS. NMSU has no viable FCS option. NMSU has long-term scheduling with UTEP and New Mexico.

2. Idaho is not a viable full member for the Sun Belt. From a marketing standpoint, it is to the advantage of the league as a whole as well as the membership individually to have schedules in the various sports that are similar. NMSU's best sports are the sports not in the Sun Belt. While travel to Las Cruces isn't great, it is viable and NMSU can improve the quality and perception of the Sun Belt in men's and women's basketball, baseball, and volleyball.

Moving down to FCS is not an option for an FBS school. Idaho is making $1.1 million for their game at USC in 2015. That wouldn't happen at the FCS level, because USC does not play FCS schools. Idaho recruits California and playing USC in LA and getting paid $1.1 million is about as good as it gets.

The paid attendance for five games in 2013 averaged 14,744 per game. That is actually good considering the 16,000 seat capacity for the Kibbie Dome. Playing in the Big Sky is not going to increase the ticket sales.

Idaho needs to win and work on expanding the Kibbie Dome. If they do that they will be fine. They can get MWC opponents at home with their current stadium. They have Nevada at home in 2015, UNLV at home in 2017 and Wyoming in 2018. They need a stadium expansion to have a chance to attract a PAC-12 opponent.

Idaho is in the Pacific Time Zone and I think they could actually pick up a conference game or two on ESPNU in the Saturday Night time slot at 7:30 (pacific time). The Pac-12 divides their games up between Fox, the Pac-12 Network and the ESPN family of channels. The MWC has games on CBS Sports Cable and some on ESPN. Idaho and NMSU give ESPN another option. That would be good for the SBC. Imagine Arkansas State at Idaho on ESPNU.

Start running the math.

Reduced travel costs playing Big Sky vs. Sun Belt.
Can reduce salary costs in FCS vs. FBS
Can cut expenses by recruiting a smaller area.
Save 23 scholarships (potentially 46 if you reduce on the women's side proportionally).
Replace $1.1 million at USC with $350,000 at Fresno or SDSU.

You can save enough to offset the difference in playing a money game at Fresno vs. USC and more than likely come out ahead by selling more tickets because they will likely sell more tix for Idaho State than Texas State or Arkansas State and more tickets for Wyoming than Louisiana or Troy.