Big Sky to FBS?

[thebootfitter]

Flying from DFW to SLC on my way to SEA, I sat near the commissioner of the Big Sky Conference, Doug Fullerton. We chatted a bit about the game, about NDSU and EWU, and about the FCS.

At one point, he hinted that he has been looking into taking the Big Sky conference to the next level as a whole entity. He suggested that if not all schools were ready for the move up, the conference is large enough to split into two: One FBS, one FCS. He did not mention timing, and I didn't press.

This may not be news, but I don't recall ever hearing this. I wonder if the new FBS version of the Big Sky would consider inviting NDSU if it happened?

[gizmo]

Rotflmao!!!!

[thebootfitter]

Rotflmao!!!!
Eh? Come again?

[taper]

Absolutely pointless until the BCS breaks away. Though having an entire new bottom feeder conference in the FBS may be the tipping point for it, who knows?

[thebootfitter]

Absolutely pointless until the BCS breaks away. Though having an entire new bottom feeder conference in the FBS may be the tipping point for it, who knows?
That may be his plan for all I know. The conversation was brief, and we didn't discuss timing.

[gizmo]

Eh? Come again?

In this case Rotflmao means its laughable, beyond stupid, absurd, etc. The Big Sky is so full of itself, thinking they are some sort of supreme entity in college sports when their record speaks otherwise. I'm not worried about being left behind by the likes of UN_.

[EndZoneQB]

In this case Rotflmao means its laughable, beyond stupid, absurd, etc. The Big Sky is so full of itself, thinking they are some sort of supreme entity in college sports when their record speaks otherwise. I'm not worried about being left behind by the likes of UN_.

If you don't think thats what they said up north........

[reformedUNDfan]

calling bullshit on this story.

[NorthernBison]

Fullerton has expressed that thought before. It is part of the reason for him pushing expansion of the conference.

We probably shouldn't laugh too hard. It positions them for a move. They can be flexible. Not a bad thing.

[unbison]

Same people calling this absurd and crazy seem to be same people calling Wyoming a lateral move before bohl got hired so reality may not be involved in your online persona

[1998braves64]

I can see it happening after BCS leaving but that will create a whole different scenario than what is available now. I could see MVFC being somewhat in the same situation then too. This really isn't far off what many of us have stated that NOW is not the time to move up.

Without bcs leaving... Meh I think only UM MSU could do it if they have gotten their finances straightened out which I don't think they do yet?

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[Herd]

I can see it happening after BCS leaving but that will create a whole different scenario than what is available now. I could see MVFC being somewhat in the same situation then too. This really isn't far off what many of us have stated that NOW is not the time to move up.

Without bcs leaving... Meh I think only UM MSU could do it if they have gotten their finances straightened out which I don't think they do yet?

Sent from my HTC8x Windows Phone.

The Big Sky would never be given he OK to become an FBS conference while the current FBS exists with all 127 teams.
The current FBS structure seems to be committed to one Championship level at 85 scholarships for the next 10 years.
I would expect some adjustment from 4 to 8 to 12 to their championship field as time goes on.
Fullerton like to hear himself talk, and seems to have an inflated opinion of the Big Sky.
To go FBS, you have to join an existing conf, period. What part of this don't people understand.

[perthbison]

Fullerton has expressed that thought before. It is part of the reason for him pushing expansion of the conference.

We probably shouldn't laugh too hard. It positions them for a move. They can be flexible. Not a bad thing.This is true

[tjamz]

The Big Sky would never be given he OK to become an FBS conference while the current FBS exists with all 127 teams.
The current FBS structure seems to be committed to one Championship level at 85 scholarships for the next 10 years.
I would expect some adjustment from 4 to 8 to 12 to their championship field as time goes on.
Fullerton like to hear himself talk, and seems to have an inflated opinion of the Big Sky.
To go FBS, you have to join an existing conf, period. What part of this don't people understand.

I thought I remembered hearing something about they can make that move if the elect to do so because of some situation with the WAC. I don't know the details and may very well be incorrect... just stating what I'd heard once upon a time.

[Tatanka]

This is plausible, and is actually more logical than you might think. Not gonna laugh or pioux pioux it.

Sent from somewhere using my Windows phone.

[A1pigskin]

He could be forward looking if the FBS is broken up between the high end FBS and low end FBS. He's probably thinking to get in the low end.

[Strongman]

The Big Sky would never be given he OK to become an FBS conference while the current FBS exists with all 127 teams.
The current FBS structure seems to be committed to one Championship level at 85 scholarships for the next 10 years.
I would expect some adjustment from 4 to 8 to 12 to their championship field as time goes on.
Fullerton like to hear himself talk, and seems to have an inflated opinion of the Big Sky.
To go FBS, you have to join an existing conf, period. What part of this don't people understand.

What part of NDSU not having a difficult time joining the MAC or Sun Belt as football only do you not understand?!

[IBleedYellow]

I thought this was common knowledge? That he wants to move up whether it meant breaking his conference apart or not.

I remember him having an interview just last year in which he stated just this. If the Big Sky sets itself up for the best conference to do this, they can be gone in 10 years at the earliest.

[Hammersmith]

I thought I remembered hearing something about they can make that move if the elect to do so because of some situation with the WAC. I don't know the details and may very well be incorrect... just stating what I'd heard once upon a time.

There was a theory that might have worked, but I think the window for it has closed. The idea was valid back when Idaho and New Mexico State were both still football playing members of the WAC. As long as they were still WAC members and playing FBS football in that conference, the WAC was an FBS conference and allowed to invite FCS schools to move up. The concept was that the WAC and Big Sky would work together. The WAC(UI & NMSU) would invite all the FBS-interested Big Sky schools to join in football with the Big Sky's blessing. Then at some later date(anything from days to months to a couple years), the football aspect of the conference would be transferred from the WAC to the Big Sky. Since it would be the same group of schools, the NCAA would be very likely to approve it. But the WAC is no longer an FBS conference. When NMSU moved football to the Sun Belt and Idaho officially became independent, the WAC lost its FBS standing. I suppose you could argue the window is still a tiny crack open until Idaho completely leaves the WAC in July.



If I'm correctly interpreting Tatanka's comments, I agree with him. In a post-Big5 shakeup, I could see a big chunk of the Big Sky moving up to the new second level of DI football. But I think the MVFC(or some form of it) will be doing the exact same thing. But neither conference will move up in the existing format. We are a very long way from needing to freak out about it.



And, overall, Fullerton is full of hot air and has been for a decade. He has a history of grandiose plans that never work out. The young pups on here weren't around for his previous attempts(young to Bisonville, not necessarily young in age). It was Fullerton who had us all convinced that NDSU was going to get a Big Sky invite way back in the beginning. He had plans of a western IAA powerhouse conference and saw NDSU, SDSU, & UNC(they were good back then) as the way to do it. The only problem was the majority of the conference schools weren't onboard with the idea and it all fell apart. Several years later, Fullerton tried to make the Big Sky an FCS superconference and destabilize the Summit and MVFC at the same time. The Summit and MVFC acted quickly to steal a lynchpin to his plan(USD) and the plan once again fell apart. Fullerton's track record isn't really all that good on the big plan.

[bruinbison]

[QUOTE=Hammersmith;822389]
In a post-Big5 shakeup, I could see a big chunk of the Big Sky moving up to the new second level of DI football. But I think the MVFC(or some form of it) will be doing the exact same thing. But neither conference will move up in the existing format. We are a very long way from needing to freak out about it.

I posted last year on a Fullerton interview during a Big Sky televised FB game. That above is the essence of what he was saying. Essentially be prepared in case the Big 5 conferences do move up so you can be positioned to be in the 2nd level of football. Fullerton was also explaining that having a 16-team mega-confernence could be the way to go in terms of insuring your future (viability). It would also help with tv contracts, and particularly for the Big Sky, help them with recruiting in California in being the next tier of football below the PAC 10 (12?) (16?).

[NDSU1980]

[QUOTE=Hammersmith;822389]
In a post-Big5 shakeup, I could see a big chunk of the Big Sky moving up to the new second level of DI football. But I think the MVFC(or some form of it) will be doing the exact same thing. But neither conference will move up in the existing format. We are a very long way from needing to freak out about it.

I posted last year on a Fullerton interview during a Big Sky televised FB game. That above is the essence of what he was saying. Essentially be prepared in case the Big 5 conferences do move up so you can be positioned to be in the 2nd level of football. Fullerton was also explaining that having a 16-team mega-confernence could be the way to go in terms of insuring your future (viability). It would also help with tv contracts, and particularly for the Big Sky, help them with recruiting in California in being the next tier of football below the PAC 10 (12?) (16?).
Gene said that same thing 2 or 3 weeks ago during one of the pregame shows. We'll always be at the second level of football. Time to put this whole issue to rest until something comes down from the NCAA and then we know Gene Taylor will get it done.

[Tatanka]

NDSU is blessed to have leaders at the helm. I trust them.

Sent from somewhere using my Windows phone.

[KSBisonFan]

Flying from DFW to SLC on my way to SEA, I sat near the commissioner of the Big Sky Conference, Doug Fullerton. We chatted a bit about the game, about NDSU and EWU, and about the FCS.

At one point, he hinted that he has been looking into taking the Big Sky conference to the next level as a whole entity. He suggested that if not all schools were ready for the move up, the conference is large enough to split into two: One FBS, one FCS. He did not mention timing, and I didn't press.

This may not be news, but I don't recall ever hearing this. I wonder if the new FBS version of the Big Sky would consider inviting NDSU if it happened?

Shouldn't his name be _oug Fullerton?

[Tatanka]

Shouldn't his name be _oug Fullerton?




this is worth consideration





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[WYOBISONMAN]

Fullerton is brain dead.

[The_Sicatoka]

From the Schempf article in The Forum:


“Let’s see what the FBS does first,” Taylor said.

Taylor makes the most honest statement from anyone. (Fullerton comes across as assuming FBS will be doing something.)

If there is a split in FBS (probably due to $2000 stipends to players) and the BCS conferences go into their own group, yes, I do believe the MVFC and the Big Sky would take some sort of action to align with what's left behind of FBS.