star2city

Until the Big East and MWC make their moves, it will be nearly impossible to make any projections with what happens to the WAC. The WAC's best chance of success may be to reform as a Southwestern conference (taking schools from the Sunbelt and CUSA). For that to happen, Idaho and SJSU have to be jettisoned in order to be attractive enough for other southwestern FBS schools to have an interest. The WAC is in a Catch-22: if it adds Sac St and Portland St - La Tech and NMSU would almost surely leave, causing more damage. But the WAC can't attract existing FBS schools to strengthen it's Southwest core unless Idaho and SJSU (as wall as Hawaii) are gone. Idaho made the mistake of moving up to FBS without the facilities (think USD moving to FBS with current facilities - their Dakota Dome supposedly can fit 16,000 with permanent bleachers). Idaho needs to be with similar schools at the same potential competitive level (Sac St, Portland St, Montana, Montana St, UND, UC Davis) either at FCS or FBS level.

If UND were hosting Robert Morris this weekend in a hypothetical playoff game where we were the bubble team, would hate to think what the attendance would be. First off, there are always home hockey games Thanksgiving weekend - this time Notre Dame. (Spend money on a UND-Notre Dame game vs UND-Robert Morris). Secondly, RoMo isn't even that well thought of in football, never mind hockey or any other sport. Finally, the students would be gone - never mind that they wouldn't be enthused anyway. Probably 6-7000 tickets sold.

There's been some message board chatter about the WAC and Big Sky merging: would solve a lot of travel issues for Sac St / Portland St and even eventually Montana if those schools eventually become part of FBS. San Jose St and Idaho wouldn't have to travel to Texas except in football. The league could actually sponsor both FBS and FCS divisions. If a school wanted to move up to FBS, it wouldn't be nearly the travel hassle. A merger probably never will happen, but in theory it gives multiple schools many options without the higher costs.

With all the negative talk, it gets old and only generates pessimism. Obviously, there were problem areas in the program this year: notably QB play, no WR depth, pass defense, and OL play. The focus should be on 2012-13 and our first Big Sky season. What are the positives to build upon: RB: Murray, Sutton WR: Hardin, McGill, Townsend? OL: Still young - getting more depth DL: Still young - developing LB: Goetz, Goodman - even more depth coming DB: has athleticism - needs coaching Kicking: good TE: two promising freshman TE's

He may already be talking with a JUCO player. While an FBS transfer is possible, talking about even an unnamed one could be considered tampering.

Congrats to their program - it is a major accomplishment. For the first time ever - a playoff game in the Fargodome against Robert Morris. I'm sure we'll be hearing all about it. In addition to Kansas, they need to send gifts to Richmond and UMass and like five other programs that botched their chances yesterday. Still, with Bohl being the butt of jokes throughout national talk radio this week about his traffic tickets as a Fargo police spokesman, doubt their playoff publicity will match that.

Double post

NDSU fans need to send a Thanksgiving gift to Turner Gill: the Kansas win is what got them aboard. NDSU fans must be the most schizophrenic around: today bisonville must be like New Orleans on New Years Eve, but yesterday it was like New Orleans after Katrina.

The MWC would go after Houston / SMU / UTEP / Utah State - Utah State would be last priority. Houston and SMU may have only limited interest. The WAC possibly has two options: 1) go after Sac St and Portland St, or 2) make Idaho and SJSU football only (or FCS ) and go after certain Sunbelt teams - like North Texas and La-Lafayette - to create a true Southwestern Conference. If the MWC adds Houston/SMU/UTEP, CUSA teams like Tulsa and Rice may possilby not want to be part of CUSA anymore (doubtful, but possible) A new WAC of La Tech / UTSA / Texas St / NMSU / Utah St / La-La / UNT / Rice Tulsa could emerge. CUSA and the Sunbelt would then both have to scramble for new teams. Idaho fans are actually coming to the conclusion that the Big Sky might be the only viable option: Idaho message board forum on dropping down to Big Sky. Adding Idaho and SJSU would make the Big Sky potentially as strong as the CAA in football.

TCU would have a huge increase in revenue if the went to the Big East -- the MWC can't offer that. The Big 12 isn't going to add TCU unless Texas and Texas A&M leave - which may happen later. So TCU, being the conference jumper it is, will take the Big East offer. At least that will save the BCS from a 8-4 or 7-5 Big East team! SDSU President: MWC ready to go to 12 teams and championship If the MWC goes to 12 (losing TCU and maybe Air Force but adding Hawaii, as well as two of three of Houston/UTEP/SMU/Utah State), both CUSA and the WAC would be on the prowl. The WAC may really be desperate for Sac State and Portland St to move up.

Was just going to add the same thing. We need two JUCO's and hope the redshirt freshmen develop. With all the QB injuries, four isn't too many for a team to carry. Move Goska and Hendrickson to WR's - they can be part of some gadget plays.

What would really be ironic is if the Bison are still chosen for the playoffs. The win vs Kansas will probably count for quite a bit. Bohl and Vigen getting a playoff bid and stinking up the FargoDome: how many would show for that?!! Bohl is almost certainly back - which I think is very positive for the other Dakota schools.

Sounds like tomorrow: TCU gets an all-sports invite to the Big East UCF gets a football only invite to the Big East Should TCU leave, the MWC would be at 10 football / 9 basketball. The next big questions become does Air Force go independent, and who CUSA selects to replace UCF?

Earlier, the MWC had been insisting that it would only take full members - not affiliates. They have changed their tune quickly. This might mean that the MWC may allow TCU to stay for everything but football. The Big East wants TCU football, but not necessarily everything else. The Big East is supposedly adding UCF as a football-only school - not sure what league UCF's other sports will move to (possibly A-Sun or even A-10), as CUSA will kick UCF out. The WAC now has to add Sac St or Portland State to survive as an FBS conference. If nothing else, the WAC can patch together the schools to be a non-football conference. Either way, this is reasonably good news for UND: either the Big Sky loses most of it's Pacific time zone schools, or the Big Sky gets even bigger with Idaho and SJSU football from the WAC.

Double post

Looks like SDSU has a donor ready for a new football stadium: Brookings Register: New Stadium for the Jacks

That's correct - there is a touch of the green trim that is trailing behind him due to his upward motion. At least we have some playmakers. Anderson, Huff, and Webb all seem to be pieces of the puzzle: we just need more beef in the center.

Bin: Some great posts. Couple of things I'd like to add: Would be nice to get more coverage on Fox Sports North - especially with Minnesota games (hockey and BB) moving more and more to the BTN. Perhaps can work toward a simulcast on Fox Sports North / Arizona /Rocky Mountain / Northwest - depending on the teams. Would like to see a couple of Ralph basketball games during the season if the scheduling allows: UND vs NDSU every other year UND vs USD or SDSU in a Christmas tournament with a couple of other local teams (when hockey teams are normally off) UND vs Montana / Montana State weekend on a January weekend For women's BB, bring in a couple of major conference teams (Minnesota, Iowa State) and play in either the Alerus or Ralph and televise on FSN. The Big Sky tournament for both men and women are hosted by the regular season winner. The women's tournament would normally be the weekend of the first round of the WCHA playoffs, while the men's final would be the Wednesday night before that weekend. If it is believed that the teams will be possible hosts for that season, reserve the Alerus for those dates. With all the HS tournaments scheduled for GF during that time (regionals at the Betty and the State Class B boys scheduled for GF more than once), venues could be very busy that time of year.

Seems quite likely that the Big Sky will soon lose a member, as the Big West announced that a membership moratorium was lifted yesterday: Big Wests lifts Membership Moratorium Any change in WAC, MWC, or Big West membership would likely impact the Big Sky. Earlier, the Big West Commissioner said nothing would happen until spring: seems he's changed his tune. Couple things are supposedly happening: 1. WAC Commissioner Benson was asked at a football broadcast this weekend what schools would possibly be next for the WAC if Montana wasn't available and the WAC lost another school. Benson's response: Sac State, Portland State or UCDavis. 2. Hawaii may pay a travel allowance to the Big West for all sports and go independent in football only. If the WAC loses Hawaii, the WAC has to add another football school. 3. TCU to the Big East is likely imminent within the month, so the MWC might backfill from the WAC, taking Utah State. Air Force is also considering going football independent (and maybe to the WAC in other sports). La Tech might also have a chance to move from the WAC to CUSA if the Big East takes UCF or Houston. 4. If Sac State isn't selected for the WAC, they want the option of moving non-football sports to the Big West and keeping football in the Big Sky. Anyway, would be surprised if Sac State is actually in the Big Sky by the time UND starts conference play in 2012. Portland State may be gone too.

Mostly thought that this was a hilarious story - with horrid judgement on the part of Bohl - but this author thinks otherwise: Examiner's view of Bohl situation

Kramer ran the EWU and Montana State programs into the ground with major APR and athlete behavior issues (multiple felonies at Montana State that they are only now recovering from). Kramer also sued Montana State and won a $240,000 settlement. Mike Kramer settles lawsuit with Montana State

It's getting some play on NPR too in the "Strange News" section: NPR: Coach advocating traffic safety has poor driving-record

In the photo below, looks like Aaron Anderson has all-black shorts, not like the rest of the team which has green markings on the side. Anderson is only 5'-10" and small-framed, so he might be special-order for BB.

Since this made the Chicago News, just had to post it! Chicago Tribune: Lead-footed Bohl is Fargo police spokesman for traffic safety At least the Fargo Police didn't use Bohl as an anti-shoplifting spokesman. (or as an anti-drunk driving or as an anti-pot dealing spokeman either!!) P.S. This might get NDSU more publicity than their FCS playoff run!

Losing flights to North Dakota