AJS

Anything of note from the State of the University this morning?

That time of year again. https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/about-2-350-students-expected-for-welcome-weekend-und-anticipates-traffic

From Tom Miller's football mailbag today. He wrote about this right after NDSU's decision in more detail, but I really hope he continues to discuss this. Why? Drives discussion. It'll start getting brought up more and more to UND leadership during events. We share the same opinion on this topic, lock arms with SDSU and the Montanas.

They finally worked out the issues and posted the 360 preseason podcast, which was recorded a few days into fall camp. Odd with the delay, wasn't super informative with information, since we know so much more now just with the daily updates. One thing that stood out to me with the 360 guys and Tom Miller has made a few comments along the way as well where you get the sense that this program has a bit of swagger for the first time. That has never been the case before. There're expectations of a top 5 team.

Miller was on with Izzo just now. The only thing that I really found of interest, was Jy Martin is a player looking to return. We knew based on potential 2022 rulings that other players besides Wiltshire and Scott were interested but only mentioned Martin in the interview (they were discussing Safety's at the time).

Posted in February. --- Forming a new Division for Conference USA seems like the move. For FB you play your division (8 games) and have a title game with the winner of each division. Even for Olympic sports, is travel that much more of a concern? Home and Home in your division, then one game against the other division. This is a win for everyone. Division Idaho Idaho State or Weber State Montana Montana State UND USD SDSU St. Thomas Missouri State Division Delaware FIU Jacksonville State Kennesaw State Liberty Middle Tennessee State NM State Sam Houston Western Kentucky

I can repost my dream conference realignment scenario if anyone would like, but it was instead of just the top of the summit / MVFC becomes the North division of CUSA, it was the Top of the MVFC / Summit + top of Big Sky comes the North division of CUSA.

@The Sicatoka should we move this topic to the Conference Realignment thread?

I don't think he was saying there's no way to increase revenue, but instead where is $25 million annually going to come from? Which seems like a fair question, but on the flip side, there's no doubt they'll figure it out (much like most others are able to do).

@Undertherock good post, I don't disagree with any of it. FBS is just part of the equation for schools like NDSU, SDSU, UND, USD. The Summit League and its instability might be the bigger part. These two things could (likely?) to happen in the next few years. St. Thomas leaves for the Valley, NDSU takes all-sports to the MWC. When discussing $ and NDSU, we have to realize they don't operate like any other school in the country. For example, you'd think having decreased enrollment would put a strain on their budget. Think again. For this discussion, NDSU will never have to worry about $. With those two moves, the Summit is officially a bust. The teams that they are looking to backfill will bring zero value to any of the remaining Dakota schools (ex: Lindenwood). Adding flights to all sports with no appeal at all. Dakota schools are all officially in scramble mode. Which I think will look a bit like, write a $20 million dollar check (SDSU) and you're in the MWC. Where your school is in ok shape is, you'll have that option. If you can't, maybe UND will get a chance. The problem is sooner than later; it's either figure it out and spend (move up) or stay in the status quo which will be the FCS looking more and more like D2. What we've seen over the past 5 years and realignment, logic doesn't have a place in it. Either look to improve your situation or you'll look around in a few years and be in a much, much worse situation.

Let's pretend that this St. Thomas news has some truth around. Let's also pretend that NDSU will leave the minute they can, while also giving little to no warning. To me the issue isn't finding teams to replace, since you'll always be able to. The issue is those teams will bring nothing to the table as far as value (imo). Like a Lindenwood. It's becoming incredibly clear, that the status quo for a school like UND will ultimately mean leveling down the athletics department.

Never believed a sentence more. I've ranted on this before, so will keep it brief. There's a lot of similarities between the D2 decision and the early 2000s and what's happening now. UND is a few peer institutions (most importantly SDSU, but also Montana's) from leaving away from being in the same place they were 20-some years ago. Maybe in a worse spot since the Summit League is so unstable (St. Thomas is on their way out, NDSU will take all-sports, same with SDSU in the scenario they leave). So yes, give me a poorly attended bowl game over an FCS playoff with no one left. I'm not saying FBS or bust, but I am saying, they need to be proactive in this. Plan accordingly. They cannot get left behind, again.

McFeely writing an article yesterday begging people to buy tickets caught me off guard. Thanks for posting, that’s a tough watch. Kolpack was close to tears.

Based on recruiting hype, I'm really interested in Michael Wagner - RFR - 6-6 (286), Aiden Wunderlich - FR - 6-7 (303), Ethan Beckman - FR - 6-5 (300). Young, yes, which is why it's nice that there's a buffer, but wonder if those 3 are in the 2-deep. Beckman a bit of a different story with the hype since he was an Iowa State decommit, but Wagner / Wunderlich have been the top 2 o-line recruits (competing offers) of the D1 era.

He doesn’t follow any teams