“NOW is the time! The longer it takes the longer we stay in the MW. I am 1000% convinced we need to make this move for football and if that means other sports too in the long run it will be what’s best for this University."

-Bryan Harsin


Football Scoop Article

If Boise could get an Olympic sport deal from the Big Sky they could pursue AAC football only.

If Boise were to jump to the AAC for football only, I'd be concerned that their recruiting would dry up. If their closest conference opponent is in Texas, those 3 star California kids have way too many better options where family and friends can see them play.

Boise was joining the Big East with SDSU and when the BE lost power status, they said thanks but no thanks. They’re not joining the AAC and I think that ship has also sailed from the AAC side of things.

Boise needs to be in the MWC. Rivalries matter.

The PAC should've invited them a long time ago.

Boise State will not leave the MWC, it doesn't make any sense and they have a decent TV deal.

If they ever want to win a national championship, they should want to.

Admin's probably content where they're at, tho.

I hate to say it I think Boise State football isn't as big of a draw as it was when it was invited to the Big East. I don't think they push the needle enough tv wise to make it worthwhile to invite them to the AAC. Also could they recruit Florida or Texas as they did with California.

(12-08-2020 07:46 PM)bullet Wrote:  Boise needs to be in the MWC. Rivalries matter.

National game in the year 2020. Houston/UCF vs. Boise is appointment television.

(12-08-2020 07:46 PM)bullet Wrote:  Boise needs to be in the MWC. Rivalries matter.

Their oldest “rivalries” are with Idaho, Fresno, Nevada, Hawaii, SJSU, and Utah St. The old WAC teams. They don’t even play Idaho anymore. They could play Hawaii anytime they wanted to. Maybe some would miss Nevada and Fresno, but when was the last time either of those two were any good? Doubt those teams will be missed. Could play BYU every year and I’m sure most of the teams I mentioned would schedule Boise too.

Harsin didn't mention the AAC. Does (or did) he want Boise State football to be independent?

(12-08-2020 07:41 PM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote:  Boise was joining the Big East with SDSU and when the BE lost power status, they said thanks but no thanks. They’re not joining the AAC and I think that ship has also sailed from the AAC side of things.

Ehh. Most everyone connected to the 2012 Boise decision making is gone. I think thats one of the few "no brainer" value adding replacement options on the board for the AAC. I mean, if Boise was looking for places to house their olympic sports---they are obviously willing to talk. I think the AAC would make that move in a minute flat.

Add Boise as a football only, add VCU as an olympic member--and the AAC puts the UConn loss behind them--ending up substantially better in football---and shores up the loss of UConn basketball about as well as anyone could realistically expect.

My guess is that Boise is going to sit and wait to see what 2024 has in store. If the AAC gets raided and loses its best assets then moving there would be a poor decision.

If I'm Boise State then before finding another conference I would want to schedule some Big 12, SEC and Big Ten teams in the out-of-conference portion. I did read that Boise has Michigan State on the docket for 2022-23. However, I don't think playing games against USF, UTEP or Rice would do much for them, other than a possible recruiting haul.

They need to push for a greater mix of P5 opponents and keep the BYU games. Maybe entice the likes of Missouri, Ole Miss or Tennessee to play a series. Heck, why not ask the Domers if they have an opening when they can play?

Just realized I’m at 5000 posts—it’s fitting that it would be on yet another conversation about Boise and the AAC.

(12-08-2020 08:08 PM)46566 Wrote:  I hate to say it I think Boise State football isn't as big of a draw as it was when it was invited to the Big East. I don't think they push the needle enough tv wise to make it worthwhile to invite them to the AAC. Also could they recruit Florida or Texas as they did with California.

While this is true and I also think it is better to have two relatively regional major G5’s (one in the east and one in the west) for balance purposes, these conferences and schools see each other as their primary competitor and rival. Boise, or really any of CSU/Air Force/Boise/SDSU leaving the MWC for the AAC is the death knell of the MWC as a the other tweener conference. Instead, you would have a definitive tweener in the AAC and their champion would the presumed favorite for the G5 autobid. This would elevate the AAC to be closer to the P5 and a more attractive tv product, presumably. (Although I still think regional conferences and rivalries is the lifeblood of the sport and the way of the future.)

(12-08-2020 09:12 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(12-08-2020 07:41 PM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote:  Boise was joining the Big East with SDSU and when the BE lost power status, they said thanks but no thanks. They’re not joining the AAC and I think that ship has also sailed from the AAC side of things.

Ehh. Most everyone connected to the 2012 Boise decision making is gone. I think thats one of the few "no brainer" value adding replacement options on the board for the AAC. I mean, if Boise was looking for places to house their olympic sports---they are obviously willing to talk. I think the AAC would make that move in a minute flat.

Add Boise as a football only, add VCU as an olympic member--and the AAC puts the UConn loss behind them--ending up substantially better in football---and shores up the loss of UConn basketball about as well as anyone could realistically expect.

Did UConn basketball even contribute in the AAC? I think they won the conference tourney once?

Had Boise St and SDSU remained as part of the Big East/AAC that means that Tulsa and ECU likely never get in.

That also means that with UConn's departure there would be ready room for Air Force or Colorado St as a 12th.

At this point I'm afraid its too late to form a western division of the AAC. Would thin out the TV money.

(12-08-2020 09:12 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(12-08-2020 07:41 PM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote:  Boise was joining the Big East with SDSU and when the BE lost power status, they said thanks but no thanks. They’re not joining the AAC and I think that ship has also sailed from the AAC side of things.

Ehh. Most everyone connected to the 2012 Boise decision making is gone. I think thats one of the few "no brainer" value adding replacement options on the board for the AAC. I mean, if Boise was looking for places to house their olympic sports---they are obviously willing to talk. I think the AAC would make that move in a minute flat.

Add Boise as a football only, add VCU as an olympic member--and the AAC puts the UConn loss behind them--ending up substantially better in football---and shores up the loss of UConn basketball about as well as anyone could realistically expect.

A Boise/VCU add would be strong. I would fully support. But I don't see it happening.