Proposed bill for all-Oklahoma D2 conference in Oklahoma State House

[OldBison]

Lot’s of possibilities. Like Luke said, it starts with the Oklahoma D2 schools being forced to leave the GAC. The likelihood of that happening is so remote I don’t see it happening in my lifetime. But then, I’m already 74.

[RollChos]

Conspicuously missing from the list of schools to be part of this commission: UCO.

Something else I don't believe anyone else is paying attention to; the President of UCO, Todd Lamb, is a former Lt. Governor and remains well connected at the State Capitol. He is also a huge supporter of UCO athletics so I'm sure he was paying close attention to all of this.

While on one hand I would love to see UCO just dominate the rest of Oklahoma D2 year in and year out and take an auto PO bid, perhaps this could be the final push that we need to make the FCS jump. Oklahoma needs an FCS school in my opinion and I've long advocated for UCO moving to the SLC. If/when we do there will undoubtedly be some growing pains.

[ctrabs74]

Something else I don't believe anyone else is paying attention to; the President of UCO, Todd Lamb, is a former Lt. Governor and remains well connected at the State Capitol. He is also a huge supporter of UCO athletics so I'm sure he was paying close attention to all of this.

While on one hand I would love to see UCO just dominate the rest of Oklahoma D2 year in and year out and take an auto PO bid, perhaps this could be the final push that we need to make the FCS jump. Oklahoma needs an FCS school in my opinion and I've long advocated for UCO moving to the SLC. If/when we do there will undoubtedly be some growing pains.

An FCS move would make sense if we were talking 4-5 years ago, however, given the new era of NIL in college sports, especially in FBS/FCS, I have to wonder if a move for UCO makes any sense at this point, especially when they're going to have a lot of competition not only from OU and Okie State, but also the Texas FBS and FCS schools. Would UCO have enough of a booster base to even compete at the FCS level when it comes to NIL?

[RollChos]

An FCS move would make sense if we were talking 4-5 years ago, however, given the new era of NIL in college sports, especially in FBS/FCS, I have to wonder if a move for UCO makes any sense at this point, especially when they're going to have a lot of competition not only from OU and Okie State, but also the Texas FBS and FCS schools. Would UCO have enough of a booster base to even compete at the FCS level when it comes to NIL?

Hard to say how the NIL mess shakes out. I think Okie State is even having a hard time keeping up.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

An FCS move would make sense if we were talking 4-5 years ago, however, given the new era of NIL in college sports, especially in FBS/FCS, I have to wonder if a move for UCO makes any sense at this point, especially when they're going to have a lot of competition not only from OU and Okie State, but also the Texas FBS and FCS schools. Would UCO have enough of a booster base to even compete at the FCS level when it comes to NIL?

This statement 100%. The Southland will likely look at accepting back the Texas WAC schools that left a few years ago and the Texas D2 schools that may be looking to move up.

[RollChos]

This statement 100%. The Southland will likely look at accepting back the Texas WAC schools that left a few years ago and the Texas D2 schools that may be looking to move up.

I actually work at UIW (SLC school) currently and I’ll tell you there isn’t as much NIL money at this level as you’d think. Some of these FCS schools are **** schools that just really wanted to be D1.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

I actually work at UIW (SLC school) currently and I’ll tell you there isn’t as much NIL money at this level as you’d think. Some of these FCS schools are **** schools that just really wanted to be D1.

Yeah I hear you. I graduated from TAMU-CC. If we get anyone half way decent for basketball or tennis, they are gone the next semester in the portal. I keep waiting for them to leave for the Summit with the rest of the non football schools or perhaps drop down themselves unless they merge with Kingsville which is unlikely.