jdub27

Again, my thoughts on it are being unlikely but I'm just looking at if it is actual plausible that it could happen: -The Sunbelt invites 6 Big Sky schools for football only and creates a western division (with Idaho and NMSU). The whole conference would never go. -Those 6 schools pay large "entrance" fees of $1-2 million, giving the other SunBelt schools a nice little bump to offset any sharing of other revenues they receive or even write the contract so that the new schools don't receive any league money until they are a full member. -After a few years when they have fully transitioned and are FBS teams, the western division breaks off and forms a new conference for football "Big Sky FBS" or something. No new FBS teams are created as the ones breaking off are full FBS members. Your zero sum game you keep bringing up. Yes a new conference is created, but the Big East split did exactly that in basketball. UND and Denver created a brand new hockey conference. I don't recall seeing any commentary on anyone outside of school presidents related to it voting on either of the matters. And in both cases, it required a new autobid to be issued to the national tournament and some sort of revenue sharing. I haven't read the NCAA bylaws to see who's approval is necessary, but I'm not certain that it needs to be voted on by NCAA membership. Now there would be some issues with the language of the current TV and playoff contract, but at that point it would be close to time to renegotiate anyway, would the other conferences really leave them out for fear of anti-trust issues? Just want to reiterate that I don't see it happening because there are way too many moving parts and uncertainty in the overall landscape but again, I don't think its impossible like you are claiming. And with the possible shifting of the P5, it likely doesn't matter.

While I don't think it is likely to happen anytime in the near future, I'm not so certain your thoughts on it being impossible are correct either. Theoretically, couldn't Big Sky schools be invited into the Sun Belt and then split off into a new Big Sky after a couple of years, very similar to what the Big East did splitting into the new Big East and the American Athletic Conference? The Sun Belt would collect "entrance" fees for any school looking to move up and in the end a conference that far west is not a competitive problem for them. Again, I don't see it happening in the near future, but am I missing something that would actually prevent the possibility of a similar situation happening?

No. They do have men's golf though which will now be a Big Sky sponsored sport.

Now you are fine with using reported numbers instead of butts in the seat?

UND's attendance was poor at the end of a very disappointing season, but you're either terrible at math or facts. Take your pick.

I believe both are going to be seniors and would not come in until the 2015-2016 season.

I think there is actually a little bit of truth in both. Kelley was announced as president in March, 2008 but did not officially assume his role until July 1. Faison was hired in May, 2008, but I believe that Kelley did have some input, though the hire was made definitely made under Kupchella. Guessing Kupchella had the final say once the search committee made its recommendation as he was still the acting president.

Careful, you may get a threatening e-mail. Granted you aren't a ND Representative, but still...

That was over 4 years ago. A lot changed in that time frame, including what the REA was and wasn't willing to do.

Leaving to be Deputy Director of Athletics. The current Iowa AD is an NDSU grad but younger than GT. Somewhat surprising that is the job the lured him away, anyone have a clue how big of a step up it actually is? Guessing its a pay raise of some sort but thought it would be an AD job at a mid-level FBS school.

If true, the fact that it is something that requires negotiation says everything you need to know about GT and the situation.

While some may not agree with Fullerton's views and visions, at least he is open and honest about them, making it well known that he has a forward looking plan. He continues to strive to move the conference forward and make sure they are positioned properly and along the way is open about what his plan is. Not sure the same can not be said for the Douple/Viverito combination. The fact that they both have separate interests isn't necessarily a good thing either.

You must not be aware that UND has already scheduled UW for 4 series in the next 5 years and UM has signed a home/home deal with UND, meaning there will be at minimum 12 games with those two teams over the next 5 years.

Then try again on your original comment, it still doesn't make sense.

How does that go? Something, something, glass houses?

It's actually over 3 times bigger. The old Target building is huge.

You are correct, completely forgot about that. Almost makes me feel a little better that is the case and it doesn't change in a year they would have been in line to host.

Teams are allowed 13 scholarships, unless someone's left, not even sure there is a scholarship left for Nash? Or someone is coming in as a walk-on of sorts and can earn a scholarship next year or even this year depending what happens with Nash. I'm not as sold as Tom Miller was on him getting a 6th year. Sr (4) - Stefan, Salmonson, Calcaterra, Antwi Jr (3) - Benton, Tyler, Coleman So (1) - Hooker Fr (4) - Crandall, Cashman, Shanks, Shields 12 Total Possible (1) - Nash (waiting on NCAA decision, would be a senior) Not confirmed (1) - Leach (would be a junior) Non-scholarship (2) - Blake, Hobaugh Antwi and Hooker both have redshirt years remaining if necessary.

Tom Miller article Assuming this means that UND misses out on hosting the 2014-2015 season unless it wins again this year?

He was more than willing to comment multiple times that he didn't know why he was placed on leave.

Timely article

While FBS looks down on FCS until one or both of the following changes, for the most part, the games will continue: 1)They can pay significantly less (50%+) than they'd pay a low-tier FBS team for a guarantee game and 2) One win against FCS a year is allowed to count towards their bowl game total which is a big team for some mid-level teams.

Sporadically or yearly? Because they will be playing one of the two for the next 4-6 years. Not as often as previously, but they will be on the schedule.

While I agree with you for the most part, the FU athletic department doesn't necessarily agree with that line of thinking.

Very annoying. Can vouch for Spotted Cow and Fat Squirrel as great beer though. Didn't realize that it was so close to Madison (less than 30 miles). Might have to insert that into tentative itinerary.