Quote Originally Posted by td577 View Post
That is very fair. It should be out there we are interested in moving up, if we are interested in moving up. Just no moving anywhere before the dust settles unless it is an offer we can't refuse, like the Big 12 gets mad at the rest of the world and says screw you we are inviting NDSU because the rest of you suck.
Don't expect to hear from anything resembling official sources that NDSU is interested in moving up until shortly before it happens. I'm getting convinced that NDSU will make the FBS move within five years, and that it will likely be a FB-only move to the SBC or MAC. In any case, I see three basic scenarios in the near future: 1. We stay FCS; 2. We go FBS but stay in the Summit for everything else; 3. We get a full invite to an FBS conference. In two of those three scenarios, we need the Summit to stay strong.

If NDSU comes out publicly that FBS is in the plans, the Summit takes a gut shot. People will start assuming that if NDSU is doing it, then SDSU must be seriously considering it. And if SDSU is considering it, then USD must be thinking about it. Those are three core Summit members. That perception will make Denver accelerate plans to get into the WCC or BW by any means necessary. ORU will reconsider its SLC move(again) or make a massive push for the MVC. IUPUI and IPFW will put on a full court press for the HL. In effect, the Summit will rip itself apart. The Summit is stable for the moment, perhaps the most stable it's been in two decades, but we are the lynch pin that could rip it apart.

If/when NDSU seriously considers an FBS move, it is in our best interests to keep it as quiet as possible for as long as possible. We could really use a 10th school for the Summit, and that doesn't happen if everyone thinks we've got one foot out the door. I know we all like to know everything that's going on, but I don't think that's the best choice in this particular case. I think contact between NDSU and FBS commissioners, presidents and ADs will be kept on the down low at NDSU's request. So we shouldn't assume that just because we aren't hearing about means it isn't happening.

JMO