The Sicatoka

Scrapping a defense designed to stop an offense nobody runs. Whodathunkit.

Shamelessly stolen from other forum talking about FCS -> FBS schools: Below is the attendance (2021 or more recent) of all the schools that have moved up. Note that only 3 are smaller than NDSU. 2001 South Florida 49,766 2002 Connecticut 27,175 2002 Troy State 6,000 (on campus only) 2006 Florida Atlantic 36,703 2006 Florida International 55,687 2009 Western Kentucky 16,762 2012 Texas-San Antonio 34,393 2012 Massachusetts 30,285 2012 South Alabama 13,463 2012 Texas State 38,171 2013 Georgia State 50,521 2014 Appalachian State 21,253 2014 Old Dominion 23,494 2014 Georgia Southern 26,106 2015 Charlotte 29,551 2017 Coastal Carolina 10,484 2018 Liberty 15,800 (on campus only) 2023 James Madison 22,224 2023 Jacksonville St. 9,540 2023 Sam Houston St. 21,480 2024 Kennesaw St. 45,152 2025 Missouri State 23,418 2025 Delaware 24,221 The demographics are even more stark: if we make Missouri an honorary Southern state by virtue of membership in the SEC, then 20 out of 23 schools that moved up from FCS since the turn of the century are in Southern states, all of which are in the top half of states for population with the exception of Kentucky (who just missed it as ranked #26 but will probably move into the top half past Louisiana by the next census). 14 out of the 23 came from just the mega-growth states of Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia or Virginia. Meanwhile, all 3 of the Northern move-ups were flagship schools. Massachusetts is a massive population state. Connecticut arguably has the largest college sports fan base in the NYC market (albeit from basketball) and is directly in the NYC-to-Boston population corridor. Delaware is located directly in the #4 largest TV market of Philadelphia. The upshot: all 23 of the FCS call-ups this century are in existing large population states and/or markets. It’s pretty stark.

It's the 2020s. Add "hype man" to list of required HC skills.

Then you won’t be looking at it. 🤣

Anyone know how to make my eyes stop bleeding?

My guess from most to least likely to be retained: OC, OL, RB, Dosch, STC, (other), DC.

A document only a lawyer could love.

How do you share revenues when most schools are heavily self-subsidized? Is that subject to sharing?

Does the 105 cap apply to FCS? I get conflicting answers.

Imagine if NIU's Oly sports ended up in the ... Summit.

Bottom line.

Goalies are the best skaters. Just ask @Wilbur.

Horizon commish was at NIU yesterday. NIU FB to MWC and Oly sports to Horizon seems likely. MAC footprint gets tighter (Indy is "west"). NIU Oly travel might be better! Strange days.

My interpretation of Schmidt's use of "internally" is in reference to the UND HR process, and not where the candidates are coming from. "There's some university procedures and protocols we have to go through," Schmidt said Wednesday morning. "We're doing interviews on key positions (Wednesday) and (Thursday). Internally, we'll probably have eight of our 10 guys accepting positions in the next five or six days ... Through the HR hoops "internally".

Only for lawyers; it's a gut ache for everyone else.

Zmolek missed a full season at Purple Cow. If he reinjured whatever that was ... If you bring in a mid-year player why not a forward and move Monty to D full time.

This could be a MWC ruse: UCD non-football Try to get NIU football only, but no go Take in UCD FB and tell FBS SEC/B1G powers "we tried to not move an FCS up"

Now Northern Ill is whispered to be back in the mix as FB only to MWC. That'd make 10 BB / 9 FB. <-- about perfect

MWC 2026 without Davis FB: 10 BB and 8 FB.

My guide dog told me all about it.

UCD Oly sports go 2026. If FB targets 2026 they are "in transition" now ... Wonder if they announce after Davis is out of FCS playoffs.

UC Davis to MWC in all sports BUT football? Give them time to build before last step?

That looks like the new football theatre. Is it? If so, that is real recent.

Expect to win home or road.