Originally Posted by
NorthernBison
I see your point but Strongman and others tend to draw the WRONG conclusions from it.
We were not in any way dominating DII football. We were routinely losing to UND and playoff appearances were hit and miss. I think some people conveniently forget about that part of history. There's a reason for it. Our fundraising advantage wasn't available to us with a 36 scholarship limit. We can use it to max benefit with a 63 scholarship limit.
We moved up to be with more of our PEERS. Programs like Montana, UNI, etc have similar support and potential. We have the resources to be right at the top of FCS.
We also have the resources to be right at the top of conferences like the MAC and probably the MWC. The problem is that those conferences will NEVER be respected by the big dogs of FBS. They are LIGHT YEARS away from really competing.
I'm sick of the Boise State example. Boise was moving to the Big East because they understood that they were NOTHING in the eyes of the rest of the FBS unless they were in a REAL CONFERENCE. Unfortunately for them, the Big East crumbled so they aren't making the move. What people fail to understand is that Boise staying in the MWC DOES NOT MAKE THE CONFERENCE MORE RELEVANT. It just stops it from sliding into oblivion. Boise State remains where they always were. Getting no respect from the SEC, Big 10, PAC 10 etc.
Conferences like the MAC and MWC might have slightly more national relevance to college football fans than the FCS. It is so trivial that it is a distinction without a difference. Even programs like the Gophers look down on the MAC. That's a fact and it ain't changin guys.
THe MAC, Sun Belt, MWC, etc are not going to get a seat at the table if a real FBS playoff system is set up. Northern Illinois getting to the Orange Bowl is a problem that I doubt the Big conferences will allow to happen again. Did you hear any respect from the rest of FBS for NIU? I didn't. Cruise the message boards. Mostly outrage that they were there and a "more deserving" program didn't get the spot.