Montana to Announce WAC decision in a few days

[wvanness]

Looks as if Montana is staying put!

http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_3be1249e-ec8e-11df-b315-001cc4c03286.html

[darell1976]

Looks as if Montana is staying put!
http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_3be1249e-ec8e-11df-b315-001cc4c03286.html

xhurrayxxhurrayxxhurrayx

[Jackman]

Quoting the article:

It is against WAC rules for members to play schools in conferences such as the Big Sky, but the WAC promised UM it could continue to compete against MSU if the Grizzlies decided to make the jump, O'Day said.

"The No. 1 thing on (Engstrom's) list is to continue that rivalry," he said. "It's important to the state. It's important to everybody. It's a compromise they extended to us."

Sounds like they're still negotiating to me, though I do think the Montana president's choice of words suggest he wants this things over with, which means status quo. Deciding to move to FBS is not something you "put behind you", it means a whole lot more work.

What's the deal with the WAC's ban on playing the Big Sky? Is that an all FCS ban, or just the Big Sky? Or just away games against the Big Sky?

[TexasTerror]

What's the deal with the WAC's ban on playing the Big Sky? Is that an all FCS ban, or just the Big Sky? Or just away games against the Big Sky?

Several of the 'low-level' FBS conferences have rules prohibiting games at FCS venues. The WAC is one of those... as is the Sun Belt and C-USA.

The BCS AQ conferences do not have such provisions (since they got nothing to worry about) and based on Ball State's upcoming trip to an FCS venue, guess the MAC does not either.

[Sec310]

Yes, this season a WAC school, San Jose St. played two FCS teams, both at home. So there is no ban against playing FCS schools, just AT FCS schools.

[Squealofthepig]

Yes, this season a WAC school, San Jose St. played two FCS teams, both at home. So there is no ban against playing FCS schools, just AT FCS schools.

And both schools (loss to Cal Poly, narrow win over SUU) are both joining the Big Sky.

The Brawl of the Wild needs to be rotated between both Bozeman and Missoula, a nice little factoid that would help explain the wording in that article a little better.

[Waco Kid]

Looks as if Montana is staying put!

http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_3be1249e-ec8e-11df-b315-001cc4c03286.html

I don't see much of anything in this article to point in either direction. Sometimes it is easy to read into things too much if you have strong feelings on a subject.

[nwFL Griz]

I don't see much of anything in this article to point in either direction. Sometimes it is easy to read into things too much if you have strong feelings on a subject.

Agreed, didn't see anything in here indicating going either direction.

I could just as easily say that the WAC saying UM could continue playing the Cats indicates they will move, as the put this behind them indicates status quo.

[Bobcat in NC]

CONFERENCE CENTRAL MEAN SIMPLE AVERAGE TEAMS WIN50%

1 PAC-10 (A) = 81.95 81.84 ( 1) 10 81.90 ( 1)
2 BIG 12 (A) = 79.78 79.07 ( 2) 12 79.33 ( 2)
3 SOUTHEASTERN (A) = 78.78 78.23 ( 3) 12 78.39 ( 3)
4 BIG TEN (A) = 75.62 74.77 ( 4) 11 75.07 ( 4)
5 ATLANTIC COAST (A) = 73.37 72.75 ( 5) 12 72.85 ( 5)
6 I-A INDEPENDENTS (A) = 71.20 70.80 ( 6) 3 70.81 ( 6)
7 BIG EAST (A) = 70.59 70.74 ( 7) 8 70.73 ( 7)
8 MOUNTAIN WEST (A) = 69.21 69.90 ( 8) 9 69.40 ( 8)
9 WESTERN ATHLETIC (A) = 68.03 68.63 ( 9) 9 68.34 ( 9)
10 CONFERENCE USA (A) = 64.21 64.12 ( 10) 12 64.17 ( 10)
11 COLONIAL (AA)= 62.95 62.30 ( 11) 10 62.64 ( 11)
12 BIG SKY (AA)= 60.25 59.16 ( 13) 9 59.44 ( 13)
13 MID-AMERICAN (A) = 59.54 59.37 ( 12) 13 59.56 ( 12)
14 SOUTHERN (AA)= 59.24 58.24 ( 15) 9 58.62 ( 14)
15 MISSOURI VALLEY (AA)= 58.09 58.30 ( 14) 9 58.29 ( 15)

[EdubAlum]

CONFERENCE CENTRAL MEAN SIMPLE AVERAGE TEAMS WIN50%

1 PAC-10 (A) = 81.95 81.84 ( 1) 10 81.90 ( 1)
2 BIG 12 (A) = 79.78 79.07 ( 2) 12 79.33 ( 2)
3 SOUTHEASTERN (A) = 78.78 78.23 ( 3) 12 78.39 ( 3)
4 BIG TEN (A) = 75.62 74.77 ( 4) 11 75.07 ( 4)
5 ATLANTIC COAST (A) = 73.37 72.75 ( 5) 12 72.85 ( 5)
6 I-A INDEPENDENTS (A) = 71.20 70.80 ( 6) 3 70.81 ( 6)
7 BIG EAST (A) = 70.59 70.74 ( 7) 8 70.73 ( 7)
8 MOUNTAIN WEST (A) = 69.21 69.90 ( 8) 9 69.40 ( 8)
9 WESTERN ATHLETIC (A) = 68.03 68.63 ( 9) 9 68.34 ( 9)
10 CONFERENCE USA (A) = 64.21 64.12 ( 10) 12 64.17 ( 10)
11 COLONIAL (AA)= 62.95 62.30 ( 11) 10 62.64 ( 11)
12 BIG SKY (AA)= 60.25 59.16 ( 13) 9 59.44 ( 13)
13 MID-AMERICAN (A) = 59.54 59.37 ( 12) 13 59.56 ( 12)
14 SOUTHERN (AA)= 59.24 58.24 ( 15) 9 58.62 ( 14)
15 MISSOURI VALLEY (AA)= 58.09 58.30 ( 14) 9 58.29 ( 15)

agreed:)

[Lehigh Football Nation]

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?78474-UTSA-Texas-State-Announcement

Is it any coincidence that Montana's "announcement" on the WAC is in the same basic timeframe as UTSA's certain announcement of WAC membership and Texas State's near-certain announcement of WAC membership?

Would it be surprising if all three announced their WAC plans on the same day?

Isn't the timing awfully suspicious to anyone? It is to me.

[darell1976]

agreed:)

Ditto!!xnodx

[stevdock]

I feel bad for the village that's missing it's idiot...

CONFERENCE CENTRAL MEAN SIMPLE AVERAGE TEAMS WIN50%

1 PAC-10 (A) = 81.95 81.84 ( 1) 10 81.90 ( 1)
2 BIG 12 (A) = 79.78 79.07 ( 2) 12 79.33 ( 2)
3 SOUTHEASTERN (A) = 78.78 78.23 ( 3) 12 78.39 ( 3)
4 BIG TEN (A) = 75.62 74.77 ( 4) 11 75.07 ( 4)
5 ATLANTIC COAST (A) = 73.37 72.75 ( 5) 12 72.85 ( 5)
6 I-A INDEPENDENTS (A) = 71.20 70.80 ( 6) 3 70.81 ( 6)
7 BIG EAST (A) = 70.59 70.74 ( 7) 8 70.73 ( 7)
8 MOUNTAIN WEST (A) = 69.21 69.90 ( 8) 9 69.40 ( 8)
9 WESTERN ATHLETIC (A) = 68.03 68.63 ( 9) 9 68.34 ( 9)
10 CONFERENCE USA (A) = 64.21 64.12 ( 10) 12 64.17 ( 10)
11 COLONIAL (AA)= 62.95 62.30 ( 11) 10 62.64 ( 11)
12 BIG SKY (AA)= 60.25 59.16 ( 13) 9 59.44 ( 13)
13 MID-AMERICAN (A) = 59.54 59.37 ( 12) 13 59.56 ( 12)
14 SOUTHERN (AA)= 59.24 58.24 ( 15) 9 58.62 ( 14)
15 MISSOURI VALLEY (AA)= 58.09 58.30 ( 14) 9 58.29 ( 15)

Thanks for feeling bad for us :)

[Eagle22]

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?78474-UTSA-Texas-State-Announcement

Is it any coincidence that Montana's "announcement" on the WAC is in the same basic timeframe as UTSA's certain announcement of WAC membership and Texas State's near-certain announcement of WAC membership?

Would it be surprising if all three announced their WAC plans on the same day?

Isn't the timing awfully suspicious to anyone? It is to me.

I was thinking the same thing. The article says what is #1 on the new president's list, and it sounds like from the article that Montana has been able to get that concession/exception to be able to continue playing Montana State.

Reading that article as an independent observer, it seemed to me that it sounded like Montana is more likely to go than stay.

We'll see what happens.

[CrazyCat]

BILLINGS - Officials at the University of Montana said Wednesday they'll announce within the next week whether Montana will join the Western Athletic Conference. But sources tell Q2 Sports it likely won't happen.


http://www.ktvq.com/news/griz-likely-to-remain-in-big-sky/

[Squealofthepig]

What weird days are these where I rec a Cats fan. :)

Seriously - thanks for the link, and I hope it's true. It's not that I solely want the Griz to remain in FCS (which I do in the short term). I most seriously don't want to see the Griz join the WAC, where they'll be less relevant than Buffalo.

[CrazyCat]

What weird days are these where I rec a Cats fan. :)

Seriously - thanks for the link, and I hope it's true. It's not that I solely want the Griz to remain in FCS (which I do in the short term). I most seriously don't want to see the Griz join the WAC, where they'll be less relevant than Buffalo.

haha thanks. We can hate each other next week.

[Professor Chaos]

What weird days are these where I rec a Cats fan. :)

Seriously - thanks for the link, and I hope it's true. It's not that I solely want the Griz to remain in FCS (which I do in the short term). I most seriously don't want to see the Griz join the WAC, where they'll be less relevant than Buffalo.

I realize this is an FCS board so I'm in the minority with this opinion but I think that Montana would turn into one of the better mid-major teams in the FBS if they decide to go to the WAC. I'm not talking like Boise St or TCU good but more like Nevada or Fresno St good. A team that is never a pushover and will crack the top 25 once every 3 years or so and stay there for a while in a good year. Having said that I hope they stay because the FCS is better with Montana than without but I don't think they'll fade into oblivion if they move up like many of this board's posters seem to think.

[FargoBison]

The WAC has become the new MAC west, stay away Grizzlies. Stay away.

If Boise, Fresno and Nevada had stayed I'd say jump but they are long gone.

[TypicalTribe]

The WAC has become the new MAC west, stay away Grizzlies. Stay away.

If Boise, Fresno and Nevada had stayed I'd say jump but they are long gone.

Couldn't agree more. The conference has been tremendously compromised with the defections of Boise and the like and joining now is catching it on the way down. Plus, how many western schools can there be that are able to have success without natural talent bases? The siren song of the FBS can be strong but sometimes it;'s awfully nice to be a big fish in a little pond.

I hope the Griz stick around.

[Mr. C]

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/showthread.php?78474-UTSA-Texas-State-Announcement

Is it any coincidence that Montana's "announcement" on the WAC is in the same basic timeframe as UTSA's certain announcement of WAC membership and Texas State's near-certain announcement of WAC membership?

Would it be surprising if all three announced their WAC plans on the same day?

Isn't the timing awfully suspicious to anyone? It is to me.

Actually, it would probably serve Montana more, if the Griz is making a move to the WAC, to wait until after the playoffs are announced to reveal its decision. There was a lot of fall out when Florida Atlantic announced its move before the 2003 playoffs.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

But sources say new UM President Royce Engstrom watched the rivalry between North Dakota and North Dakota State fall apart when NDSU left for a higher level of play, and he doesn't want to see the same happen between Montana and Montana State. The WAC did offer a waiver to Montana allowing the Griz to play MSU, but the Cats would suddenly be saddled with an inferior number of scholarships, which would make it less appealing for MSU to continue scheduling the series.

Also, Montana's Board of Regents is likely to vote against the move should it be submitted. Engstrum would be the school official to submit that application.

Another variable on the financial side is a comparison of athletic budgets between the University of Idaho and Montana. The Vandals struggle to compete in the WAC with a budget of nearly $8 million dollars more than Montana's.

Interesting to say the least. Don't know what to make of the "multiple sources", but it's clear there's a battle royale going on in Grizland about this.

[CopperCat]

I realize this is an FCS board so I'm in the minority with this opinion but I think that Montana would turn into one of the better mid-major teams in the FBS if they decide to go to the WAC. I'm not talking like Boise St or TCU good but more like Nevada or Fresno St good. A team that is never a pushover and will crack the top 25 once every 3 years or so and stay there for a while in a good year. Having said that I hope they stay because the FCS is better with Montana than without but I don't think they'll fade into oblivion if they move up like many of this board's posters seem to think.

Based on what?

[Professor Chaos]

Based on what?
25K attendance average, a tradition of success, and the support that would be better than any other team in the WAC. After several years with 85 scholarships Montana would be better than the bottom half of the MWC, all of the MAC, and all of the Sun Belt due to those factors.

[Waco Kid]

This is a tough decision for the Griz. The cost of travel in the WAC is going to be extremely high with the league stretching from Texas to Hawaii, but the Big Sky isn't exactly compact now with its new additions. They have been dominate in FCS which is great for building excitement, but there is no reason to think they can't be very successful in FBS. The WAC is definitely a shell of its former self, but this could be an advantage for the Griz. The adjustment period would be much easier in the new WAC, and I think it could work out like Marshall joining the MAC. Maybe Montana could move up and dominate the WAC for a few years and parlay that into a Mountain West invite? It looks like that plan worked out pretty well for Boise and for Marshall moving to CUSA. I know Marshall has struggled in CUSA, but that has more to do with poor coaching hires.

I know the rivalry is big with Montana State, but is it so large that UM would hold their program back if they truly felt moving up was the best move? I'm all for App moving up, but I think Montana is in a tougher spot.

[100%GRIZ]

Done Deal - The Griz are staying put! Looks like the Kitties sealed the deal!