A new and better FBS thread

[IndyBison]

Attended A MAC game last night at Western Michigan. They were hosting #23 Pitt. They've hosted a few P5 schools but it didn't seem like it was a big deal to them. There wasn't much of a tailgate scene but they did have shuttle busses from the tailgate lots since there isn't much parking next to the stadium.

They had a Chase Bryant concert before the game and a lot of fun activities for kids. The marching band performed before the game and was very good. The home team is opposite the press box but entire bleacher section behind them from end zone to end zone is GA with mostly students. It was pretty full. Our son was able to get us tickets there for $15 each. We sat away from the student on about the 15 yard line with a pretty good view. Most seats are bleachers but they had seat backs to rent for $8.
They announced a legitimate crowd of 22k in a 30k seat stadium. There was no track and the stands were very close to the field. Seemed similar to the Fargodome.

The students were into it the first half but like most fans many left at halftime. It was a night game and the second half started about 9:45. Peak party starting time! They were only down 13-6 so it was still a game. It was 20-13 early in the 4th before Pitt pulled away to win 34-13.

It was a fun atmosphere and one I think most Bison fans would enjoy. Not every MAC game is a Tuesday night in November.

The first photo is before the game. The crowd filled in more before kickoff. The good on either side were filled with kids playing and some sitting. The next photo is the view from our $15 seats. The third photo is their IPF which was just beyond the end zone. They had bleachers between the field and IPF with suites at the top that I assume overlooked the practice facility as well. The last photo shows the entire student section behind the home team.

[daddy daycare]

Love the bleachers built into the side hill. Thanks for sharing, Indy.

[BigHorns]

That WMU / MAC attendance is FAR better than you see at many cusa stadiums like Charlotte, FIU, etc.

I really think MAC could work, though would prefer they have less weekday games, some of those are pretty dead. It does help generate media money and exposure though.

[IndyBison]

That WMU / MAC attendance is FAR better than you see at many cusa stadiums like Charlotte, FIU, etc.

I really think MAC could work, though would prefer they have less weekday games, some of those are pretty dead. It does help generate media money and exposure though.

I think the most midweek home games any team has is 2. I checked this year and 6 of the 12 teams have 2 the rest have 1 or none (Buffalo). And yes most of the MAC games are poorly attended. Probably depends on the opponent, timing (i.e. home opener, homecoming), and success of the team that year. There is no consistent good team year to year to build up that consistent fan base.

And people do love MAC-tion. I believe they get decent numbers watching and other than the empty stadiums they get good exposure.

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[The_Sicatoka]

UND's Big Sky experience, although not FBS, is a useful model for comparison to MWC aspirations:

- all air travel for all teams to all conference games
- 10 pm start times
- unfamiliar opponents for home contests

None of those were a benefit.

I still say the better approach for FBS would be to "build it yourself" (the Great West model): Find a group of northern schools that want to step away from the Murray States and Utah Techs. The right group would be better than the MAC (academically and athletically) at the start.

[NDSU92]

UND's Big Sky experience, although not FBS, is a useful model for comparison to MWC aspirations:

- all air travel for all teams to all conference games
- 10 pm start times
- unfamiliar opponents for home contests

None of those were a benefit.

I still say the better approach for FBS would be to "build it yourself" (the Great West model): Find a group of northern schools that want to step away from the Murray States and Utah Techs. The right group would be better than the MAC (academically and athletically) at the start.

Which northern schools are you thinking of Sic?

[The_Sicatoka]

Which northern schools are you thinking of Sic?

The usual suspects in this conversation: Dakota 4, Montanas, Idaho. Basically peal the top publics from between the Mississippi River and Rockies from the MVFC and BSC. That group is as good or better than the MAC, academics or athletics.

The wild fantasy would be to bring Wyoming into the mix.

None of that can happen however: Montanas and Idaho want to recruit in CA; Wyoming will never choose to leave the MWC.

[GCWaters]

The usual suspects in this conversation: Dakota 4, Montanas, Idaho. Basically peal the top publics from between the Mississippi River and Rockies from the MVFC and BSC. That group is as good or better than the MAC, academics or athletics.

The wild fantasy would be to bring Wyoming into the mix.

None of that can happen however: Montanas and Idaho want to recruit in CA; Wyoming will never choose to leave the MWC.

As much as a I hate to agree with you (ha!), this is what makes the most sense to me, too...good blend academically, good footprint...you're right too on the chances of it happening, sadly...

[The_Sicatoka]

Basically peal ...

Good Lord! Peal? That's the ringing of bells.

PEEL.

It must've been the TV on in the other room with the Queen's funeral and that incessant clanging. Surprised tony didn't get me on that one before I found it.

[WhoRepsTheLurker]

As much as a I hate to agree with you (ha!), this is what makes the most sense to me, too...good blend academically, good footprint...you're right too on the chances of it happening, sadly...

For many reasons, but most notably $$. Best for a state like ND to just put one school forward to move up