NDSU to CUSA

[The_Sicatoka]

... either we grab our balls and take the risk or we are facing a early 90's DII situation all over again.

100% agree.
But I think you can do it with a like-minded in-region line-up.

[AKBison]

100% agree.
But I think you can do it with a like-minded in-region line-up.

Here's the deal. To be successful in FBS, we will need more high end recruiting "southern speed" along with a larger base of program recruits. We have made a living on Kramer turning high ambition mid level recruits into monsters. The problem is that a good portion of those guys eventually leave or never move up the depth chart. It's basically the old Nebraska model and it takes a pile of greyshirts and walk ons. With NDSU as the sole G5 in the upper Midwest, we would be able to continue that model. If we try to bring along the other Dakota's the recruiting advantage is fractured. There just isn't enough FBS talent in our region to support that many programs. SDSU has already caught up to or maybe even surpassed us using the same basic model and recruiting the same type of kids. It is eerily similar to what UND did the 90's. If we could somehow swing a football only invite, that would be great. I just don't see it happening. To establish ourselves as the G5 program, we need to transition to FBS first and establish a strangle hold on that recruiting base for the next decade. Otherwise, we will be just like the MAC where you have to many similar schools recruiting the same geography. The end result is mediocrity.

[56BISON73]

Here's the deal. To be successful in FBS, we will need more high end recruiting "southern speed" along with a larger base of program recruits. We have made a living on Kramer turning high ambition mid level recruits into monsters. The problem is that a good portion of those guys eventually leave or never move up the depth chart. It's basically the old Nebraska model and it takes a pile of greyshirts and walk ons. With NDSU as the sole G5 in the upper Midwest, we would be able to continue that model. If we try to bring along the other Dakota's the recruiting advantage is fractured. There just isn't enough FBS talent in our region to support that many programs. SDSU has already caught up to or maybe even surpassed us using the same basic model and recruiting the same type of kids. It is eerily similar to what UND did the 90's. If we could somehow swing a football only invite, that would be great. I just don't see it happening. To establish ourselves as the G5 program, we need to transition to FBS first and establish a strangle hold on that recruiting base for the next decade. Otherwise, we will be just like the MAC where you have to many similar schools recruiting the same geography. The end result is mediocrity.

JUst like when we got our ass whipped by UNI. Bohl said we have to start recruiting a different type of athlete.

[Hammersmith]

Just going to throw it in here, but McNeese is now going to stay in the Southland instead of moving to the WAC.

[The_Sicatoka]

Just going to throw it in here, but McNeese is now going to stay in the Southland instead of moving to the WAC.

Who's that say more (or less) about: McNeese, the Southland, or the WAC.

[AKBison]

Who's that say more (or less) about: McNeese, the Southland, or the WAC.

Basically the Southland is now dead with everyone jumping ship to the WAC. Despite that, McNeese has elected to stay in the Southland.
In addition, Two of the major Pro FBS schools in the WAC (SHSU, NMSU) have now departed. The McNeese AD is pro FBS and has publicly stated he does not want McNeese to miss the boat like it did in the 80's. Speculation is now either McNeese to CUSA or some type of OVC/Southland merger.

[Hammersmith]

Who's that say more (or less) about: McNeese, the Southland, or the WAC.

Two plausible theories floating around:

1. McNeese was interested in the WAC because they wanted to go FBS. But SHSU was the driving force behind the FBS WAC and they just left for the Sun Belt.
2. McNeese is worried Lamar, SFA, and/or Tarlten could become CUSA targets, leaving McNeese on a "UND in the Big Sky" type island.

[Bisonator98]

Guessing McNeese is CUSA bound as well.

[NDSUstudent]

I agree that that's the realistic best case scenario at this moment, but I don't think there's any way you'd get MSU or ILSU to go for it. Both would view it as a downgrade for hoops and baseball and that's more important to them than FBS. And I don't think CUSA is interested in the xDSUs without those two as a land bridge to us. Sucks, but we're on the outside looking in again.

That looks like a basketball neutral situation to tell you the truth, travel costs would rise quite a bit for them though.

[The_Sicatoka]

Two plausible theories floating around:

1. McNeese was interested in the WAC because they wanted to go FBS. But SHSU was the driving force behind the FBS WAC and they just left for the Sun Belt.
2. McNeese is worried Lamar, SFA, and/or Tarlten could become CUSA targets, leaving McNeese on a "UND in the Big Sky" type island.

I'd say it's a whole bunch of the first (FBS WAC dreams died when NMSU left) and a side of the other. I'd guess McNeese believes its past WAC invite will allow it to jump the line to C-USA if they start dredging the Southland. Will that happen? Gets ya some popcorn.