I think as fans we are going to have to adjust our thinking from a postseason focus in FCS to a regular season focus in FBS. The bowl games alone aren't going to drive the bus on fan excitement as much as the playoffs do now in the FCS. We're not going to get the best of both worlds because that does not and will not exist for a school in NDSU's position.
It won't be as fascinating as Chapo claims. Doesn't have to be. Just has to be more fascinating than the current state of the FCS.
Last edited by BigLakeBison; 11-23-2022 at 01:13 PM.
This is where we are all at. People keep taking Lakes' nonsense and conflating it with everyone else on the FBS side of the spectrum. I've been saying it for years. Being FBS, you trade the potential for 2 great playoff games for 2 great non-con games. After that the conference is much more competitive. Then there's the years where we're a top 25 team and people can start talking about CFP (but doesn't really factor into my equation, CFP would just be gravy). That's enough for me on the football side.
I've said it a million times, but the biggest jump for us in going to a MW or MAC is in the non-football sports. We've hit our ceiling in the Summit and it's time to move on from that too. Our MBB program is the Jacksonville State of the OVC variety. Very good performance inside of a bad conference but when it comes time to take on the big dogs we can't hang. Same with baseball, apparently softball now, volleyball, etc.
The bowl system sucks and it is terrible. Every year where NDSU goes 7-5, 8-4 there's going to be thoughts of FCS and its awesome playoff system. Hopefully the NCAA is able to get its head out of its ass and create a G5 playoff system, but we'll see. Until then, ask any FBS move-up if they would ever think about coming back...
I loved the 1-AA playoff when Nevada was in the Big Sky. It was indeed big fun. I did not enjoy Big Sky olympic sports, though. I see the bowl games as a nice reward for the players but the regular season, particularly the conference schedule, is the most compelling part. Nevada is 'lucky' to be able to play comparable schools year after year. These are schools I respect with great fans. Had Nevada not moved up when they did, I am not sure they would still have football. You do have to grow or risk stagnation. But, I certainly don't regret the stretch in 1-AA, even though it really hurt the basketball program. There are tradeoffs for everything. I certainly understand your desire to move to FBS. It is not easy but schools can thrive in G5.
I think that's where a growing segment of the NDSU fanbase is at. Our history in DII and FCS have been a major part of the present and future and it shouldn't be looked down upon in anyway. It was part of the journey. But now it is time to move the athletic department onto the next phase. Sometimes it is difficult to express that sentiment without it coming off as disparaging towards the present and the past. The story of NDSU football particularly is compelling because of the path that we have taken. We can celebrate that and still acknowledge that it is time to move forward.