SloStang

The ones complaining are upset because the Griz did not jump to the FBS. They will complain no matter what the make up of the Big Sky is. What it is not is the FBS in their eyes. I would not worry too much about what a few idiots on eGriz think. It is the best plan I have seen for a 13 team conference.

You could still schedule the other 4 conference teams for OOC games. They just would not count towards conference standings. Also nodakvindy great work on the scheduling. I also think this should be passed on to all the ADs. Great idea.

UM: MSU/EWU/UND/WSU EWU: UM/PSU/CP/Sac PSU: EWU/CP/Sac/UCD ISU: UND/WSU/MSU/UNC WSU: ISU/SUU/UM/NAU SUU: WSU/NAU/UNC/UCD NAU: SUU/UNC/WSU/MSU UNC: NAU/UND/SUU/ISU UND: UNC/MSU/UM/ISU MSU: UND/UM/ISU/NAU CP: UCD/Sac/EWU/PSU UCD: CP/Sac/SUU/PSU Sac: UCD/CP/PSU/EWU I like it.

Don't forget when you are talking between the Big Sky and the MVFC you also have to talk about the Summit. Games with NDSU, SDSU and USD would have been great (still can schedule them for OOC games), but you would have also had to play IUPUI, UMKC, Centenary, Oakland and IPFW. How do those schools and road trip sound?

If the Big Sky stays at 13 teams for football it will make it tough to split into two divisions (I have a strong feeling that UM is headed to the WAC which would leave the BSC at 10/12 teams and 2 divisions would then work). What I think they should do if they stay at 13 teams is have each school have two schools designated as permanent rivals of each school and play them each year. After that rotate through the remaining 10 teams for the other 6 or 7 conference games (depending if they go with 8 or 9 total conference games). This is what the Big Ten does. Here is how I would designate rivals: UM: MSU/EWU EWU: UM/PSU PSU: EWU/ISU ISU: PSU/WSU WSU: ISU/SUU SUU: WSU/NAU NAU: SUU/NC NC: NAU/UND UND: NC/MSU MSU: UND/UM CP: UCD/Sac UCD: CP/Sac Sac: UCD/CP What do you think?

Sorry to hear that. He really gave Cal Poly fits last year. He also has to be one tough son of a b!tch. It says he played the last quarter with a blown knee.

Anyone making the trip to SLO?

Cal Poly limped into the game last year against the Sioux. We were playing with only three undersized DTs (two of which were nursing injuries). Notice how we did well in the first quarter but as the game wore on the big Sioux OLs took over. This year the DL is two to three deep at all four positions so I think we will do better. The Sioux dominated the game last year so we could do a lot better and still lose though. Should be a good game. I know our team is looking forward to playing at home for the first time in a month and a half.

Northwestern State beat a 3-1 Central Arkansas on the road 24-19.

I agree the Great West should be a real dog fight in 2010. I really think you could make a case for any of the teams. It will be fun seeing how it all plays out.

I would not put them in the top 15, but would put them in the top 25. You saw a team in transition that was decimated with injuries. Before the injuries they beat a top 25 SDSU and had a lead on FCS runner up Montana in the 4th quarter on the road. Last year they had 9 new starters on offense. This year they return 9 starters and added RB Mark Rodgers. They also added Baylor transfer Matt Singletary (Mike Singletary's son) to the d-line, and JC d-lineman Mike Murphy. Last year d-line was the main area they recruited for because of the switch to the 4-3 and they brought in 4 highly regarded prospects who redshirted. They all looked great this spring and will add depth to the d-line. Also Cal Poly's two best d-linemen from 2008 where injured last season. James Chen played the whole season injured and Gavin Cooper sat out the season with a shoulder injury. Both are back and healthy this year.

Cal Poly has finished in the top 25 every year from 2004 to 2008. In 2009 they had to adjust to a new coaching staff, new defense and replace 9 starters on offense. This year they return 9 starters on offense and added West Virginia RB Mark Rodgers. On defense they return 8 starters. On defense they struggled on the D-line when they switched from a 3-4 defense with small quick linemen to a 4-3 where they need big D-linemen. This year they added two transfers there, 4 redshirt freshmen, ant their top D-lineman from 2008 who sat out 2009 with injury. I think the D-line was a liability in 2009 and in 2010 in has a chance to be very good.

The teams on Cal Poly's road schedule may or may not be as tough as UND's, but the fact that they are on the road for 5 straight weeks in 5 different states certainly makes Cal Poly road schedule tough. Cal Poly starts on the road in Texas against Texas State, then travels to Louisiana to take on McNeese State, then return to California to play Fresno State, then on the road to Virginia to play Old Dominion and finish up on the road to Utah to take on SUU. They then have two home games before hitting the road to South Dakota to take on USD.

So do I. I will be watching on Direct TV and tailgating on my couch with some friends. Here is to a good game by both teams.

Here I am. This game has me nervous. UND is tough at home and they can still win the Great West Championship with a win over the Mustangs. I expect a battle. BTW, I also like a good "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" reference. If you have seen me I am probably by the food machines. I am a former (a long, long time ago) CP O-lineman.

Cal Poly starts Spring Practice April 1rst and their Spring Game is also set for April 25th.

SDSU is no longer in the GWFC and have not been since 2007 and they will be in SLO in 2009. I am sure we will continue to play teams from the Dakotas in the future weather or not they are members of the Great West.

I think the new UND uniforms look great. I am looking forward to seeing them in person when UND visits Cal Poly in 2010.

Mpls why do you have to always state things as fact when in fact they are just your opinion. The above is your opinion which is fine, but that is all it is.

I bet that both Montana and Montana State move up shortly after the NCCA ban on moving is lifted.

I do hate you at all. I do get annoyed that you always take over a thread and destroy it and the fact that you can never say that you are wrong no matter what fact is presented to you. Other than that, I have no problem with you. As far as scheduling, I would like to see UND hook up with Portland State to fill the last spot on your schedule.

I am sure no recruit visiting Fargo was told that NDSU can go to the playoffs and UND can not for four more years. Yeah, right.

As always, he had no valid arguement to counter. Your post was week at best. That is why there was no need to counter-argue. Any reasonable person would agree that NDSU has had a multiple year recruiting advantage. Not that I consider you reasonable.

Ellerson's father, two brothers and nephew are grads of West Point. His older brother was a captain on the Army football team in the 60's. He let Cal Poly know back in 2001 when he was hired that Army was the only team he would leave Cal Poly for. In fact I have read that he had it put in his contract that he could leave for Army without penalty. This is his dream job. It is not about the money. Ellerson has been approached numerous times by FBS schools and he declined to interview with any of them. Sad day for Cal Poly, but a great day for Rich Ellerson. I wish him well. He left the program at Cal Poly a whole lot better than he found it.

It is official: http://www.goarmysports.com/ViewArticle.db...;ATCLID=3637320 Big loss for Cal Poly. I am hoping that they name OC Ian Shields or DC Pyam Saadat as the new head coach. Should be an interesting couple of weeks ahead.