(10-01-2019 03:45 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  For anyone who thinks the WAC has the luxury of tossing out Chicago State, think again. A hodgepodge bottom-feeder conference barely clinging to existence cannot easily afford to lose any schools, and that includes Chicago State.

You are correct on the difficulty of throwing any school out of a conference.

Chicago State is performing a an internal audit of the viability of staying D-I or dropping to a lower level (NAIA or D-II). They hired an AD for a whole 2 months as part of this (his contract can be extended a 3rd month). Whether Chicago State stays in the WAC or not will be decided by the results of that audit.

What is interesting is New Mexico State is increasingly jumpy. I'd keep an eye on that (not that they have anywhere to go).

Parting ways with Chicago State will benefit the WAC by shrinking its footprint to the western U.S. and Texas. That will make the conference an easier sell to potental future additions within that smaller footprint. And the membership count with Tarleton State coming aboard will remain at eight which provides a cushion in the unlikely event that anyone is offered an opportunity to move elsewhere. I’ll be very surprised if Chicago State is still in the WAC after the 2020-2021 season.

(10-01-2019 06:57 PM)solohawks Wrote:  If the WAC becomes a successful FCS conference would NMSU accept FCS status or still holdout for MWC

Highly doubtful. As FBS, NMSU gets home and home with New Mexico and UTEP (two close rivals). They also get larger payouts from the Alabamas and other big boys in the FBS world. If they went FCS they would lose a ton of money (see Idaho now).

The first FBS conference that offers a home to NMSU will get a very quick yes.

(10-01-2019 08:46 PM)SactoHornetAlum Wrote:  

(10-01-2019 06:15 PM)Jjoey52 Wrote:  

(10-01-2019 03:56 PM)YNot Wrote:  

(10-01-2019 12:15 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  The only schools currently in the WAC that a start up football program make sense for are UTRGV and Grand Canyon. UTRGV has the enrollment to support it and I think there’s a decent sized minor league soccer stadium nearby that they could use. GCU is flush with cash and could upgrade their soccer stadium for football.

Seattle and Cal Baptist? Too small and private

Utah Valley? Not in the shadow of BYU

Utah Valley is an excellent candidate to add a football program. They are the biggest university in the state of Utah and closer to the main population centers than Weber State, and especially Southern Utah and Dixie State.

And, they could get a decent schedule with 3 other FCS programs in the state and other Big Sky schools somewhat nearby. Plus, a nice payday game rotation with BYU, Utah, and Utah State and may be New Mexico State...and especially if a couple more WAC schools add football.

Plus, they already have the land for a stadium, albeit on the opposite side of the I-15 freeway from the main campus.

Don’t see UVU adding football, not when BYU-P and Lavell Edwards stadium is about a block away.


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Well that doesn’t stop Eastern Michigan having a football program two miles from the largest college football stadium in the country.

It's actually about 6 miles between EMU and Michigan, compared to 3.5 miles for UVU and BYU.

However, we're talking about an FCS football program for the largest university in Utah. There is plenty of room for UVU football, if they want it...however, it would likely hurt Weber State, Southern Utah, and Dixie State...as UVU would likely be considered the better destination by the majority of local football players - from among those four options.

(10-02-2019 02:43 PM)TardisCaptain Wrote:  

(10-01-2019 06:57 PM)solohawks Wrote:  If the WAC becomes a successful FCS conference would NMSU accept FCS status or still holdout for MWC

Highly doubtful. As FBS, NMSU gets home and home with New Mexico and UTEP (two close rivals). They also get larger payouts from the Alabamas and other big boys in the FBS world. If they went FCS they would lose a ton of money (see Idaho now).

The first FBS conference that offers a home to NMSU will get a very quick yes.

Correct and TSU becomes an easily scheduled game between the 2. No need to drop to FCS unless they decide to from a competitive standpoint

(10-02-2019 06:39 AM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  Parting ways with Chicago State will benefit the WAC by shrinking its footprint to the western U.S. and Texas. That will make the conference an easier sell to potental future additions within that smaller footprint. And the membership count with Tarleton State coming aboard will remain at eight which provides a cushion in the unlikely event that anyone is offered an opportunity to move elsewhere. I’ll be very surprised if Chicago State is still in the WAC after the 2020-2021 season.

Being a western conference that can stake the #2 & #3 markets is a claim that not even the PAC-12 can make. NMSU recruits Chicago (played Illinois at United Center) and brings hundreds of alumni to Chicago State each year. It's a unique asset for the WAC and NMSU - the bellcow of the league - is in CSU's corner.

(10-02-2019 06:39 AM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  Parting ways with Chicago State will benefit the WAC by shrinking its footprint to the western U.S. and Texas. That will make the conference an easier sell to potental future additions within that smaller footprint. And the membership count with Tarleton State coming aboard will remain at eight which provides a cushion in the unlikely event that anyone is offered an opportunity to move elsewhere. I’ll be very surprised if Chicago State is still in the WAC after the 2020-2021 season.

Didnt somone post their agreement with the WAC showing how it was a renewable agreement?

(10-02-2019 02:44 PM)YNot Wrote:  

(10-01-2019 08:46 PM)SactoHornetAlum Wrote:  

(10-01-2019 06:15 PM)Jjoey52 Wrote:  

(10-01-2019 03:56 PM)YNot Wrote:  

(10-01-2019 12:15 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  The only schools currently in the WAC that a start up football program make sense for are UTRGV and Grand Canyon. UTRGV has the enrollment to support it and I think there’s a decent sized minor league soccer stadium nearby that they could use. GCU is flush with cash and could upgrade their soccer stadium for football.

Seattle and Cal Baptist? Too small and private

Utah Valley? Not in the shadow of BYU

Utah Valley is an excellent candidate to add a football program. They are the biggest university in the state of Utah and closer to the main population centers than Weber State, and especially Southern Utah and Dixie State.

And, they could get a decent schedule with 3 other FCS programs in the state and other Big Sky schools somewhat nearby. Plus, a nice payday game rotation with BYU, Utah, and Utah State and may be New Mexico State...and especially if a couple more WAC schools add football.

Plus, they already have the land for a stadium, albeit on the opposite side of the I-15 freeway from the main campus.

Don’t see UVU adding football, not when BYU-P and Lavell Edwards stadium is about a block away.


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Well that doesn’t stop Eastern Michigan having a football program two miles from the largest college football stadium in the country.

It's actually about 6 miles between EMU and Michigan, compared to 3.5 miles for UVU and BYU.

However, we're talking about an FCS football program for the largest university in Utah. There is plenty of room for UVU football, if they want it...however, it would likely hurt Weber State, Southern Utah, and Dixie State...as UVU would likely be considered the better destination by the majority of local football players - from among those four options.

Georgia St and Georgia Tech are another one. Washington St & Idaho.

(10-02-2019 04:22 PM)Bronco14 Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 02:44 PM)YNot Wrote:  

(10-01-2019 08:46 PM)SactoHornetAlum Wrote:  

(10-01-2019 06:15 PM)Jjoey52 Wrote:  

(10-01-2019 03:56 PM)YNot Wrote:  Utah Valley is an excellent candidate to add a football program. They are the biggest university in the state of Utah and closer to the main population centers than Weber State, and especially Southern Utah and Dixie State.

And, they could get a decent schedule with 3 other FCS programs in the state and other Big Sky schools somewhat nearby. Plus, a nice payday game rotation with BYU, Utah, and Utah State and may be New Mexico State...and especially if a couple more WAC schools add football.

Plus, they already have the land for a stadium, albeit on the opposite side of the I-15 freeway from the main campus.

Don’t see UVU adding football, not when BYU-P and Lavell Edwards stadium is about a block away.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Well that doesn’t stop Eastern Michigan having a football program two miles from the largest college football stadium in the country.

It's actually about 6 miles between EMU and Michigan, compared to 3.5 miles for UVU and BYU.

However, we're talking about an FCS football program for the largest university in Utah. There is plenty of room for UVU football, if they want it...however, it would likely hurt Weber State, Southern Utah, and Dixie State...as UVU would likely be considered the better destination by the majority of local football players - from among those four options.

Georgia St and Georgia Tech are another one. Washington St & Idaho.

Florida State and FAMU are even closer than all of these.

(10-02-2019 02:27 AM)Stugray2 Wrote:  

(10-01-2019 03:45 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  For anyone who thinks the WAC has the luxury of tossing out Chicago State, think again. A hodgepodge bottom-feeder conference barely clinging to existence cannot easily afford to lose any schools, and that includes Chicago State.

You are correct on the difficulty of throwing any school out of a conference.

Chicago State is performing a an internal audit of the viability of staying D-I or dropping to a lower level (NAIA or D-II). They hired an AD for a whole 2 months as part of this (his contract can be extended a 3rd month). Whether Chicago State stays in the WAC or not will be decided by the results of that audit.

What is interesting is New Mexico State is increasingly jumpy. I'd keep an eye on that (not that they have anywhere to go).

The WAC actually would not have much difficulty giving CSU the boot because IIUC their membership is on a limited contract basis and has to be renewed by the conference. Of course, kicking CSU out is moot if they voluntarily leave. But for the foreseeable future, I don't think the WAC will deliberately part with any members. The conference first needs to attain a larger and more stable set of members, which may never happen.

For everyone thinking about the WAC bringing back football, you still need four more teams. If anything, now that Tarleton State is looking like they are moving up...

UC Davis
Cal Poly
Sacramento State (fb, bvb, msoc. Other sports WAC?)
Portland State
Dixie State (fb-only. WAC everything else)
Tarleton State (fb-only. WAC everything else)

That makes the prospects of a Big West FCS auto bid more within reach. The key IMO, for the Big West and the WAC is Portland State. If they're willing to leave the Big Sky, whichever conference adds them will have football.

Cal Poly and UC Davis would have all their sports under one roof.
Portland State's travel costs are reduced to 10 California opponents and Hawaii (Rainbows are every other year). Tarleton State and Dixie State would have an easier path to the FCS playoffs with an auto bid, and their other sports are already accounted for.

Viola DavidSt, there's your new football conference.

(10-02-2019 08:09 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  For everyone thinking about the WAC bringing back football, you still need four more teams. If anything, now that Tarleton State is looking like they are moving up...

UC Davis
Cal Poly
Sacramento State (fb, bvb, msoc. Other sports WAC?)
Portland State
Dixie State (fb-only. WAC everything else)
Tarleton State (fb-only. WAC everything else)

That makes the prospects of a Big West FCS auto bid more within reach. The key IMO, for the Big West and the WAC is Portland State. If they're willing to leave the Big Sky, whichever conference adds them will have football.

Cal Poly and UC Davis would have all their sports under one roof.
Portland State's travel costs are reduced to 10 California opponents and Hawaii (Rainbows are every other year). Tarleton State and Dixie State would have an easier path to the FCS playoffs with an auto bid, and their other sports are already accounted for.

Viola DavidSt, there's your new football conference.

Portland State may need a new home for football. The owner of the pro soccer team in Portland is spending money on the stadium and he could evict them from using it since he does not want the field destroyed by football.

(10-02-2019 08:09 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  For everyone thinking about the WAC bringing back football, you still need four more teams. If anything, now that Tarleton State is looking like they are moving up...

UC Davis
Cal Poly
Sacramento State (fb, bvb, msoc. Other sports WAC?)
Portland State
Dixie State (fb-only. WAC everything else)
Tarleton State (fb-only. WAC everything else)

That makes the prospects of a Big West FCS auto bid more within reach. The key IMO, for the Big West and the WAC is Portland State. If they're willing to leave the Big Sky, whichever conference adds them will have football.

Cal Poly and UC Davis would have all their sports under one roof.
Portland State's travel costs are reduced to 10 California opponents and Hawaii (Rainbows are every other year). Tarleton State and Dixie State would have an easier path to the FCS playoffs with an auto bid, and their other sports are already accounted for.

Viola DavidSt, there's your new football conference.

Long odds on the Big West getting back into football, but in your scenario, suppose that Tarleton State gets a Southland invite. What does the Big West do then? For the conference to re-commit to football, I think they'd need more than the bare minimum of FB members.

(10-02-2019 08:22 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 08:09 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  For everyone thinking about the WAC bringing back football, you still need four more teams. If anything, now that Tarleton State is looking like they are moving up...

UC Davis
Cal Poly
Sacramento State (fb, bvb, msoc. Other sports WAC?)
Portland State
Dixie State (fb-only. WAC everything else)
Tarleton State (fb-only. WAC everything else)

That makes the prospects of a Big West FCS auto bid more within reach. The key IMO, for the Big West and the WAC is Portland State. If they're willing to leave the Big Sky, whichever conference adds them will have football.

Cal Poly and UC Davis would have all their sports under one roof.
Portland State's travel costs are reduced to 10 California opponents and Hawaii (Rainbows are every other year). Tarleton State and Dixie State would have an easier path to the FCS playoffs with an auto bid, and their other sports are already accounted for.

Viola DavidSt, there's your new football conference.

Long odds on the Big West getting back into football, but in your scenario, suppose that Tarleton State gets a Southland invite. What does the Big West do then? For the conference to re-commit to football, I think they'd need more than the bare minimum of FB members.

The same thing the WAC would do. Pray for another affiliate. But if Tarleton State has a standing invite from the WAC and then uses it to get into the Southland, then WAC (or BW) football is off the table.

(10-02-2019 09:34 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 08:22 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 08:09 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  For everyone thinking about the WAC bringing back football, you still need four more teams. If anything, now that Tarleton State is looking like they are moving up...

UC Davis
Cal Poly
Sacramento State (fb, bvb, msoc. Other sports WAC?)
Portland State
Dixie State (fb-only. WAC everything else)
Tarleton State (fb-only. WAC everything else)

That makes the prospects of a Big West FCS auto bid more within reach. The key IMO, for the Big West and the WAC is Portland State. If they're willing to leave the Big Sky, whichever conference adds them will have football.

Cal Poly and UC Davis would have all their sports under one roof.
Portland State's travel costs are reduced to 10 California opponents and Hawaii (Rainbows are every other year). Tarleton State and Dixie State would have an easier path to the FCS playoffs with an auto bid, and their other sports are already accounted for.

Viola DavidSt, there's your new football conference.

Long odds on the Big West getting back into football, but in your scenario, suppose that Tarleton State gets a Southland invite. What does the Big West do then? For the conference to re-commit to football, I think they'd need more than the bare minimum of FB members.

The same thing the WAC would do. Pray for another affiliate. But if Tarleton State has a standing invite from the WAC and then uses it to get into the Southland, then WAC (or BW) football is off the table.

Your scenario has the Big West already having formed a football wing, with just 6 members. I was just pointing out that it's quite unlikely for them to do that in the first place, especially given the flight risk of more eastern members.

(10-02-2019 09:34 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 08:22 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 08:09 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  For everyone thinking about the WAC bringing back football, you still need four more teams. If anything, now that Tarleton State is looking like they are moving up...

UC Davis
Cal Poly
Sacramento State (fb, bvb, msoc. Other sports WAC?)
Portland State
Dixie State (fb-only. WAC everything else)
Tarleton State (fb-only. WAC everything else)

That makes the prospects of a Big West FCS auto bid more within reach. The key IMO, for the Big West and the WAC is Portland State. If they're willing to leave the Big Sky, whichever conference adds them will have football.

Cal Poly and UC Davis would have all their sports under one roof.
Portland State's travel costs are reduced to 10 California opponents and Hawaii (Rainbows are every other year). Tarleton State and Dixie State would have an easier path to the FCS playoffs with an auto bid, and their other sports are already accounted for.

Viola DavidSt, there's your new football conference.

Long odds on the Big West getting back into football, but in your scenario, suppose that Tarleton State gets a Southland invite. What does the Big West do then? For the conference to re-commit to football, I think they'd need more than the bare minimum of FB members.

The same thing the WAC would do. Pray for another affiliate. But if Tarleton State has a standing invite from the WAC and then uses it to get into the Southland, then WAC (or BW) football is off the table.

I doubt the Southland is interested in adding Tarleton or anyone else. It’s not just football that would be bloated but basketball with 14 members. They would have added any Lonestar school if they wanted to expand.

(10-02-2019 08:09 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  Portland State

The UC schools in the Big West had Bakersfield crammed down their throats as the price to pay for UC San Diego getting into the Big West.

They're not going to vote for Portland State. Not a chance in hell.

(10-02-2019 10:27 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 09:34 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 08:22 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 08:09 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  For everyone thinking about the WAC bringing back football, you still need four more teams. If anything, now that Tarleton State is looking like they are moving up...

UC Davis
Cal Poly
Sacramento State (fb, bvb, msoc. Other sports WAC?)
Portland State
Dixie State (fb-only. WAC everything else)
Tarleton State (fb-only. WAC everything else)

That makes the prospects of a Big West FCS auto bid more within reach. The key IMO, for the Big West and the WAC is Portland State. If they're willing to leave the Big Sky, whichever conference adds them will have football.

Cal Poly and UC Davis would have all their sports under one roof.
Portland State's travel costs are reduced to 10 California opponents and Hawaii (Rainbows are every other year). Tarleton State and Dixie State would have an easier path to the FCS playoffs with an auto bid, and their other sports are already accounted for.

Viola DavidSt, there's your new football conference.

Long odds on the Big West getting back into football, but in your scenario, suppose that Tarleton State gets a Southland invite. What does the Big West do then? For the conference to re-commit to football, I think they'd need more than the bare minimum of FB members.

The same thing the WAC would do. Pray for another affiliate. But if Tarleton State has a standing invite from the WAC and then uses it to get into the Southland, then WAC (or BW) football is off the table.

Your scenario has the Big West already having formed a football wing, with just 6 members. I was just pointing out that it's quite unlikely for them to do that in the first place, especially given the flight risk of more eastern members.

My scenario just says it's possible and that the minimum pieces are already in place. The WAC has more obstacles.

(10-02-2019 10:58 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 08:09 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  Portland State

The UC schools in the Big West had Bakersfield crammed down their throats as the price to pay for UC San Diego getting into the Big West.

They're not going to vote for Portland State. Not a chance in hell.

Portland State is nationally ranked by USNWR and located on the west coast. Neither a Cal State, nor a UC. That's not a bad potential 12th member.

But yes Wedge, I believe Portland State is the key to any new FCS league in the west. Their location is friendly to both the WAC and BW. Pair them with UC Davis, Pair them with Seattle.

(10-02-2019 10:27 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 09:34 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 08:22 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 08:09 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  For everyone thinking about the WAC bringing back football, you still need four more teams. If anything, now that Tarleton State is looking like they are moving up...

UC Davis
Cal Poly
Sacramento State (fb, bvb, msoc. Other sports WAC?)
Portland State
Dixie State (fb-only. WAC everything else)
Tarleton State (fb-only. WAC everything else)

That makes the prospects of a Big West FCS auto bid more within reach. The key IMO, for the Big West and the WAC is Portland State. If they're willing to leave the Big Sky, whichever conference adds them will have football.

Cal Poly and UC Davis would have all their sports under one roof.
Portland State's travel costs are reduced to 10 California opponents and Hawaii (Rainbows are every other year). Tarleton State and Dixie State would have an easier path to the FCS playoffs with an auto bid, and their other sports are already accounted for.

Viola DavidSt, there's your new football conference.

Long odds on the Big West getting back into football, but in your scenario, suppose that Tarleton State gets a Southland invite. What does the Big West do then? For the conference to re-commit to football, I think they'd need more than the bare minimum of FB members.

The same thing the WAC would do. Pray for another affiliate. But if Tarleton State has a standing invite from the WAC and then uses it to get into the Southland, then WAC (or BW) football is off the table.

Your scenario has the Big West already having formed a football wing, with just 6 members. I was just pointing out that it's quite unlikely for them to do that in the first place, especially given the flight risk of more eastern members.

Is the WAC more likely to make it work with just six members, including affiliates?