The Bobcat Nation

NIU joins MW in 2026 as football only.
Suck State announces plans to join FBS but not when or where.
UC Davis reveals in MW contract it has 1st right of consideration if MW considers an FCS school.

no announcement from the Montana or DSU schools. silence speaks volumes on not moving.

There's nothing for the Montana or DSU schools to announce if they haven't received any offers yet. Sac State's announcement seems to be somewhat akin to me declaring myself eligible for the NFL draft, in that I can certainly do it if I want but it's meaningless unless there's also interest coming the other way. The actions of the MWC opting for UC Davis but not Sac State speak much more loudly than words.

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2025 9:40 am

There's nothing for the Montana or DSU schools to announce if they haven't received any offers yet. Sac State's announcement seems to be somewhat akin to me declaring myself eligible for the NFL draft, in that I can certainly do it if I want but it's meaningless unless there's also interest coming the other way. The actions of the MWC opting for UC Davis but not Sac State speak much more loudly than words.

Davis would be a really good fit if it wants to get serious about funding athletics at the MWC level. I guess that remains to be seen. Sac State is more than a commuter school, but not a ton more. It would be unusual (but not unheard of) at the G5 level.

Same with the Montanas and DSUs...they could certainly play at that level, but don't have the level of external support that would allow them to be a great addition to the conference.

Who knows what goes on those smoke filled rooms, but it feels like there's a moratorium on any more FCS schools being invited to an FBS conference. I think it'll be a few years before we see any movement. The powers that be don't want to divide the pie more than it is now.

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2025 9:40 am

There's nothing for the Montana or DSU schools to announce if they haven't received any offers yet. Sac State's announcement seems to be somewhat akin to me declaring myself eligible for the NFL draft, in that I can certainly do it if I want but it's meaningless unless there's also interest coming the other way. The actions of the MWC opting for UC Davis but not Sac State speak much more loudly than words.

SAC to the PAC is happening. Well-placed sources indicate Sac turned down the same offer that UCD got from the MW.

onceacat wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2025 11:27 pm

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2025 9:40 am

There's nothing for the Montana or DSU schools to announce if they haven't received any offers yet. Sac State's announcement seems to be somewhat akin to me declaring myself eligible for the NFL draft, in that I can certainly do it if I want but it's meaningless unless there's also interest coming the other way. The actions of the MWC opting for UC Davis but not Sac State speak much more loudly than words.

Davis would be a really good fit if it wants to get serious about funding athletics at the MWC level. I guess that remains to be seen. Sac State is more than a commuter school, but not a ton more. It would be unusual (but not unheard of) at the G5 level.

Same with the Montanas and DSUs...they could certainly play at that level, but don't have the level of external support that would allow them to be a great addition to the conference.

I disagree - maybe it's just semantics/phrasing, but I think (with the Montana schools) the problem is not external support but internal support. The Montana programs are funded/supported by external sources to a much larger degree than any of the other schools from what I understand. The proportion of our funding from internal sources (student fees, institutional /MUS /state funding support) is where we are way less than other schools.

I think the issue with the Cats and gris is television market size. We just don’t bring much to table when the Mountain West is negotiating a television contract.

catbooster wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 16, 2025 7:33 pm

onceacat wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2025 11:27 pm

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2025 9:40 am

There's nothing for the Montana or DSU schools to announce if they haven't received any offers yet. Sac State's announcement seems to be somewhat akin to me declaring myself eligible for the NFL draft, in that I can certainly do it if I want but it's meaningless unless there's also interest coming the other way. The actions of the MWC opting for UC Davis but not Sac State speak much more loudly than words.

Davis would be a really good fit if it wants to get serious about funding athletics at the MWC level. I guess that remains to be seen. Sac State is more than a commuter school, but not a ton more. It would be unusual (but not unheard of) at the G5 level.

Same with the Montanas and DSUs...they could certainly play at that level, but don't have the level of external support that would allow them to be a great addition to the conference.

I disagree - maybe it's just semantics/phrasing, but I think (with the Montana schools) the problem is not external support but internal support. The Montana programs are funded/supported by external sources to a much larger degree than any of the other schools from what I understand. The proportion of our funding from internal sources (student fees, institutional /MUS /state funding support) is where we are way less than other schools.

I’m talking State funding as an external source. I think we are saying the same thing.

Kadeezy wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 13, 2025 1:17 pm

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2025 9:40 am

There's nothing for the Montana or DSU schools to announce if they haven't received any offers yet. Sac State's announcement seems to be somewhat akin to me declaring myself eligible for the NFL draft, in that I can certainly do it if I want but it's meaningless unless there's also interest coming the other way. The actions of the MWC opting for UC Davis but not Sac State speak much more loudly than words.

SAC to the PAC is happening. Well-placed sources indicate Sac turned down the same offer that UCD got from the MW.

I'm hearing that isn't true

wapiti wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 17, 2025 12:57 pm

https://x.com/TBM_JY/status/18908126918 ... ost3237331

Not surprised. And the Big Sky loses another decent program.

So, who does the Big Sky bring in as a replacement? One of the RMAC teams?

RICO CAT wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 17, 2025 8:14 pm

So, who does the Big Sky bring in as a replacement? One of the RMAC teams?

I doubt they'll be overly concerned about replacing Davis since they're a football-only member. They'll just have to adjust the future conference schedules to account for having one fewer team in the conference. Utah Tech would be an obvious possibility to join the Big Sky but perhaps they're happy with their neighbor SUU in the weaker UAC for now.

Cataholic wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 17, 2025 4:41 pm

wapiti wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 17, 2025 12:57 pm

https://x.com/TBM_JY/status/18908126918 ... ost3237331

Not surprised. And the Big Sky loses another decent program.

And just as importantly, so does the FCS division as a whole. The top Big Sky and MVFC programs become even bigger fish in an ever-shrinking pond.