The Bobcat Nation

Could set off a domino effect in the west. The Mountain West will have a lot of $$$ from exit fees to help get some new members going. Who will they recruit?

South Dakota State! Oh, nevermind the other SDSU…

UNLV leaving without UNR. Wonder how that would work out? Is it a different setup than CATS and gris?

RickRund wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 12, 2024 10:00 am

UNLV leaving without UNR. Wonder how that would work out? Is it a different setup than CATS and gris?

Nevada and UNLV were in different conferences until Nevada joined the Mountain West in 2012. Unless something has changed in the last decade it doesn't seem that they're necessarily tied together.

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 12, 2024 7:49 pm

RickRund wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 12, 2024 10:00 am

UNLV leaving without UNR. Wonder how that would work out? Is it a different setup than CATS and gris?

Nevada and UNLV were in different conferences until Nevada joined the Mountain West in 2012. Unless something has changed in the last decade it doesn't seem that they're necessarily tied together.

MSU and UM were also in different conferences at one time. I suspect that similar to OSU and WSU getting left behind, money will be the key driver. But I will be surprised if Nevada doesn’t get an invite with UNLV. The population of Boise is very similar to Reno, and Fresno is a larger city, but still comparable to Reno. Heck, both Pullman and Corvallis are smaller than Reno.

Las Cruces (New Mexico State) is more comparable to Bozeman in size. I would think that New Mexico State, UNM and UTEP are better fits in the Sun Belt than even the Mountain West. There maybe a chance the Mountain West disolves if they don’t aggressively court teams.

I was curious and looked at the composition of teams in G5 conferences. Wow. What an eye opener. I hadn’t paid much attention to those conferences, but I bet close to 30% of G5 teams were FCS in the past 20 years. I actually think MSU would be competitive in all of them.

Cataholic wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 12, 2024 9:44 pm

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 12, 2024 7:49 pm

RickRund wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 12, 2024 10:00 am

UNLV leaving without UNR. Wonder how that would work out? Is it a different setup than CATS and gris?

Nevada and UNLV were in different conferences until Nevada joined the Mountain West in 2012. Unless something has changed in the last decade it doesn't seem that they're necessarily tied together.

MSU and UM were also in different conferences at one time. I suspect that similar to OSU and WSU getting left behind, money will be the key driver. But I will be surprised if Nevada doesn’t get an invite with UNLV. The population of Boise is very similar to Reno, and Fresno is a larger city, but still comparable to Reno. Heck, both Pullman and Corvallis are smaller than Reno.

Las Cruces (New Mexico State) is more comparable to Bozeman in size. I would think that New Mexico State, UNM and UTEP are better fits in the Sun Belt than even the Mountain West. There maybe a chance the Mountain West disolves if they don’t aggressively court teams.

Seems to me that the sun belt is a long ways away from New Mexico. I think those schools fit better in the mountain west, at least geographically.

Long Time Cat wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 15, 2024 10:56 pm

Cataholic wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 12, 2024 9:44 pm

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 12, 2024 7:49 pm

RickRund wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 12, 2024 10:00 am

UNLV leaving without UNR. Wonder how that would work out? Is it a different setup than CATS and gris?

Nevada and UNLV were in different conferences until Nevada joined the Mountain West in 2012. Unless something has changed in the last decade it doesn't seem that they're necessarily tied together.

MSU and UM were also in different conferences at one time. I suspect that similar to OSU and WSU getting left behind, money will be the key driver. But I will be surprised if Nevada doesn’t get an invite with UNLV. The population of Boise is very similar to Reno, and Fresno is a larger city, but still comparable to Reno. Heck, both Pullman and Corvallis are smaller than Reno.

Las Cruces (New Mexico State) is more comparable to Bozeman in size. I would think that New Mexico State, UNM and UTEP are better fits in the Sun Belt than even the Mountain West. There maybe a chance the Mountain West disolves if they don’t aggressively court teams.

Seems to me that the sun belt is a long ways away from New Mexico. I think those schools fit better in the mountain west, at least geographically.

Those three schools are kind of in the middle. The Sun Belt has a couple Texas schools that are a nice fit. But the Sun Belt has changed with North Texas moving. If you take away UNLV and Nevada, the MW is left with six schools: San Jose State, UNM, Wyoming, Utah State, Hawaii and Air Force.

You got me thinking though…. Add NM state and UTEP to the MW along with UTSA and Texas State and you have a nice southern division:

UNLV
Nevada
San Jose
UNM
NMSU
UTSA
Texas State
Hawaii

Add a couple FCS teams and you have a nice northern division:

Wyoming
Air Force
Utah state
MSU
UM
NDSU
SDSU
Idaho

The composition of that northern conference is appealing to me. Geographic rivalries exist in each division. Despite adding some smaller media markets, you are also adding a couple large markets as well with El Paso and San Antonio.

I am starting to think that the MW keeping UNLV, Nevada and San Jose State could be key to their survival. If you lose those three, then maybe Air Force joins the other service academies and UNM joins the SunBelt. MW is left with three teams: Wyoming, Utah State and Hawaii. All of a sudden the MW has to pillage the Big Sky and MVFC just to survive.

looks like Sac state may try FBS independent in 2026?
what would the BSC say about other sports?
maybe WCC?
https://www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa- ... ticle_head

Montanabob wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 6:35 pm

looks like Sac state may try FBS independent in 2026?
what would the BSC say about other sports?
maybe WCC?
https://www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa- ... ticle_head

I don't know-kinda feels like Cal State Fullerton in the early 1990's. Build a brand-new stadium and then drop football.

I wonder if the MW conference or NCAA subsidizes travel to Hawaii ? Seems like it would be a real financial burden to athletic budgets. I personally think Hawaii should become independent. The logistics of traveling there every other year would get old in a hurry. Hawaii is beautiful but the 10.5 hour round trip flight sucks. All the payers will see is the hotel and field before returning to campus.

RICO CAT wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 7:14 pm

I wonder if the MW conference or NCAA subsidizes travel to Hawaii ? Seems like it would be a real financial burden to athletic budgets. I personally think Hawaii should become independent. The logistics of traveling there every other year would get old in a hurry. Hawaii is beautiful but the 10.5 hour round trip flight sucks. All the payers will see is the hotel and field before returning to campus.

That's not necessarily true. Plenty of times in the past I've seen stories of sports teams going to Pearl Harbor to experience a piece of US and WWII history. Sure it takes some extra planning, but for many of these kids, it may be the only time they visit Hawaii, so I applaud the schools that plan extra time. Shoot I'm 40 and I've never been to the 49th state. It's on my bucket list!

RICO CAT wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 7:14 pm

I wonder if the MW conference or NCAA subsidizes travel to Hawaii ? Seems like it would be a real financial burden to athletic budgets. I personally think Hawaii should become independent. The logistics of traveling there every other year would get old in a hurry. Hawaii is beautiful but the 10.5 hour round trip flight sucks. All the payers will see is the hotel and field before returning to campus.

In the past it has been Hawaii that has paid travel subsidies for conference opponents to travel there, but part of their deal to join the MWC as a full member is that they won't have to subsidize travel anymore starting in 2026. I'm sure it's not a fun trip, at least with football it's every other year instead of every year for most other sports. Travel wise it has to be even worse for the Hawaii players who have to take that flight for every single road trip!

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:42 pm

RICO CAT wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 7:14 pm

I wonder if the MW conference or NCAA subsidizes travel to Hawaii ? Seems like it would be a real financial burden to athletic budgets. I personally think Hawaii should become independent. The logistics of traveling there every other year would get old in a hurry. Hawaii is beautiful but the 10.5 hour round trip flight sucks. All the payers will see is the hotel and field before returning to campus.

In the past it has been Hawaii that has paid travel subsidies for conference opponents to travel there, but part of their deal to join the MWC as a full member is that they won't have to subsidize travel anymore starting in 2026. I'm sure it's not a fun trip, at least with football it's every other year instead of every year for most other sports. Travel wise it has to be even worse for the Hawaii players who have to take that flight for every single road trip!

Teams that travel to Hawaii get to play an extra game to make a little extra $$$
https://fbschedules.com/the-hawaii-exemption/

BelgradeBobcat wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 10:47 pm

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:42 pm

RICO CAT wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 7:14 pm

I wonder if the MW conference or NCAA subsidizes travel to Hawaii ? Seems like it would be a real financial burden to athletic budgets. I personally think Hawaii should become independent. The logistics of traveling there every other year would get old in a hurry. Hawaii is beautiful but the 10.5 hour round trip flight sucks. All the payers will see is the hotel and field before returning to campus.

In the past it has been Hawaii that has paid travel subsidies for conference opponents to travel there, but part of their deal to join the MWC as a full member is that they won't have to subsidize travel anymore starting in 2026. I'm sure it's not a fun trip, at least with football it's every other year instead of every year for most other sports. Travel wise it has to be even worse for the Hawaii players who have to take that flight for every single road trip!

Teams that travel to Hawaii get to play an extra game to make a little extra $$$
https://fbschedules.com/the-hawaii-exemption/

Yep, and the Hawaii exemption is why MSU got to play New Mexico in Week 0 last year! I'd guess travel subsidies are much more important in other sports than football.

BelgradeBobcat wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 6:49 pm

Montanabob wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 6:35 pm

looks like Sac state may try FBS independent in 2026?
what would the BSC say about other sports?
maybe WCC?
https://www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa- ... ticle_head

I don't know-kinda feels like Cal State Fullerton in the early 1990's. Build a brand-new stadium and then drop football.

The Cal State system is experiencing massive budget cuts across the system (Sonoma State just killed all NCAA sports, so the whole University will likely die in a few more years), so I can't imagine this being a good time for Sac State to try to swing above its weight.

The big question; how many more will dissappear? Three-four years ago the state had a $100B surplus and now the shortfall is somewhere in the $40B-$80B neighborhood, maybe less, maybe more. Who really knows whose figures to believe. Tax revenues from most all areas will be kicked in the gonads...

The area we moved from had a major fire in 21, I believe, and burnt thru Butte, Tehama, Plumas and Lassen Counties.... Right at 1,000,000 acres. A couple of communities no longer exist.

grizzh8r wrote: ↑

RICO CAT wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 7:14 pm

I wonder if the MW conference or NCAA subsidizes travel to Hawaii ? Seems like it would be a real financial burden to athletic budgets. I personally think Hawaii should become independent. The logistics of traveling there every other year would get old in a hurry. Hawaii is beautiful but the 10.5 hour round trip flight sucks. All the payers will see is the hotel and field before returning to campus.

That's not necessarily true. Plenty of times in the past I've seen stories of sports teams going to Pearl Harbor to experience a piece of US and WWII history. Sure it takes some extra planning, but for many of these kids, it may be the only time they visit Hawaii, so I applaud the schools that plan extra time. Shoot I'm 40 and I've never been to the 49th state. It's on my bucket list!

How about Alaska? Have you been there? If so, then you actually have been to the 49th state. Hawaii was the 50th state, admitted approximately 6 months after Alaska.

John K wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 13, 2025 10:44 pm

grizzh8r wrote: ↑

RICO CAT wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 7:14 pm

I wonder if the MW conference or NCAA subsidizes travel to Hawaii ? Seems like it would be a real financial burden to athletic budgets. I personally think Hawaii should become independent. The logistics of traveling there every other year would get old in a hurry. Hawaii is beautiful but the 10.5 hour round trip flight sucks. All the payers will see is the hotel and field before returning to campus.

That's not necessarily true. Plenty of times in the past I've seen stories of sports teams going to Pearl Harbor to experience a piece of US and WWII history. Sure it takes some extra planning, but for many of these kids, it may be the only time they visit Hawaii, so I applaud the schools that plan extra time. Shoot I'm 40 and I've never been to the 49th state. It's on my bucket list!

How about Alaska? Have you been there? If so, then you actually have been to the 49th state. Hawaii was the 50th state, admitted approximately 6 months after Alaska.

Canada will be the 51st state I heard!

The Butcher wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 14, 2025 1:14 pm

John K wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 13, 2025 10:44 pm

grizzh8r wrote: ↑

RICO CAT wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 7:14 pm

I wonder if the MW conference or NCAA subsidizes travel to Hawaii ? Seems like it would be a real financial burden to athletic budgets. I personally think Hawaii should become independent. The logistics of traveling there every other year would get old in a hurry. Hawaii is beautiful but the 10.5 hour round trip flight sucks. All the payers will see is the hotel and field before returning to campus.

That's not necessarily true. Plenty of times in the past I've seen stories of sports teams going to Pearl Harbor to experience a piece of US and WWII history. Sure it takes some extra planning, but for many of these kids, it may be the only time they visit Hawaii, so I applaud the schools that plan extra time. Shoot I'm 40 and I've never been to the 49th state. It's on my bucket list!

How about Alaska? Have you been there? If so, then you actually have been to the 49th state. Hawaii was the 50th state, admitted approximately 6 months after Alaska.

Canada will be the 51st state I heard!

Sure it won't be Greenland?


Oh, and for some reason I obviously had Alaska and Hawaii mixed up...

That said, it's amazing how many native Alaskans vacation and winter in Hawaii... Pretty cool how their cultures are intermingled...

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... -cVcrYDnIb