2023 Out of Conference Games - Scheduled

[Umdfan35]

Good teams to schedule..or good teams to add to the NSIC?

would love to see both of them added to the conference, but doubt they would accept, as they need to play some teams in lower MI for recruiting, the GLIAC only has 8 teams so they are always looking for games. tech played UST and UW Oshkosh, NMU also has played Oshkosh the last couple of seasons.

[Matt Witwicki]

I think MI Tech and Norther MI would be good additions, they like to recruit many of the same players from WI that the NSIC recruits, but they also need GLIAC ties for lower MI recruiting. MI Tech was an NIC member for many yrs. They would be close to Duluth and Bemidji than ND or IA teams.

Good teams to schedule..or good teams to add to the NSIC?

[Umdfan35]

I think MI Tech and Norther MI would be good additions, they like to recruit many of the same players from WI that the NSIC recruits, but they also need GLIAC ties for lower MI recruiting. MI Tech was an NIC member for many yrs. They would be close to Duluth and Bemidji than ND or IA teams.

[laker]

NAIA champs Northwestern of Iowa will be playing at Drake this fall. They would have been an interesting opponent.

Drake adds Northwestern (IA) to 2023 football schedule (fbschedules.com)

[Mandan]

With how last-second it is, do you think more teams will be willing to bite the bullet this year and schedule D3/NAIA?

I'd love to see Mary/Dickinson St or Minot/Dickinson St just to see how things compare all these years later. Would they want the risk of losing to an NAIA team, though, is the question.

[texcap]

Given how few D2 openings there are nationally on weeks after the first few, I could see schools looking at D3, NAIA, or maybe even FCS for games..or if things are too difficult, just take their bye week. The Concordia (D3) in Moorhead vs MSUM would make so much sense..it's too bad they couldn't buy out their opponent or something..as that contest would be the biggest on the schedule for both squads.

There might be some games like this for squads that don't involve a D2 opponent..if a rivalry makes sense..or maybe even a $$ game.

The problem with this line of thinking is that the other divisions (FCS, NAIA, D3, etc) also have limited openings after the first few weeks because they have conferences that also schedule in the later part of the year as well.

Of course, by expanding the criteria from D2 to other division it does open up more opportunities, but they are still limited, and even more so when you limit the locale as well.

The key part of Laqua’s statement was the fact the NSIC is coming to the game so late to try to schedule games, especially late in the season.

[SW_Mustang]

Would love to see a Concordia/MSUM matchup. It would be cool if they signed a two year home-and-home deal or something. That would almost be worth the drive up.

[Matt Witwicki]

MSU Moorhead tried to go the D3 Route, but it looks like the MIAC Schools may be a tough get for 2023

https://www.inforum.com/sports/colle...-football-game

A think this quote from the article describes the thoughts of many coaches around the league..

“We need to find an 11th game,” Laqua said. “The difficulty would be that schedules may have already been set for a portion of time and now we’re just finding out that we need one. I feel a little bit like we’re late to the party trying to find a game.”

The NSIC is yet to set its 2024 football schedule.

“You’re trying to find something that doesn’t put you on a bus for 12 hours,” Laqua added. “You’re trying to find the right setup. I think for us any option is on the table, any level, the right fit and the right match for everybody.”

Given how few D2 openings there are nationally on weeks after the first few, I could see schools looking at D3, NAIA, or maybe even FCS for games..or if things are too difficult, just take their bye week. The Concordia (D3) in Moorhead vs MSUM would make so much sense..it's too bad they couldn't buy out their opponent or something..as that contest would be the biggest on the schedule for both squads.

There might be some games like this for squads that don't involve a D2 opponent..if a rivalry makes sense..or maybe even a $$ game.

[SW_Mustang]

St Thomas has connections to Bemidji and Mankato via the CCHA. That would be really interesting.

Yeah, I'd like to see them play MSU. Their hockey games are starting to become a little bit of a rivalry.

[njmav1]

There could be some interesting combos if that were a possibility. Especially with Morningside/Northwestern/Jamestown/MIAC.

What about some of the closer PFL teams? Drake/St. Thomas/etc.

St Thomas has connections to Bemidji and Mankato via the CCHA. That would be really interesting.

[laker]

Looking at the open dates, I see Bemidji and New Haven could match up for game next season in week 6. Of course there’s travel questions (it would require someone to fly) but the weeks seem to match up. Guessing Matt is right about NSIC teams not wanting to fly, but I know New Haven has been raising lots of money and they might be able to fly to MN.

I would like to see it happen, it would remind me of when New Haven was independent and played anywhere.

Years ago MSU-Mankato went to New Haven and won. Put it together with some educational sites to see. New Haven may have also played St Cloud that year.

[CheapSkate]

MSU Moorhead tried to go the D3 Route, but it looks like the MIAC Schools may be a tough get for 2023

https://www.inforum.com/sports/colle...-football-game

[SW_Mustang]

With how last-second it is, do you think more teams will be willing to bite the bullet this year and schedule D3/NAIA?

There could be some interesting combos if that were a possibility. Especially with Morningside/Northwestern/Jamestown/MIAC.

What about some of the closer PFL teams? Drake/St. Thomas/etc.

[cwfenn]

Looking at the open dates, I see Bemidji and New Haven could match up for game next season in week 6. Of course there’s travel questions (it would require someone to fly) but the weeks seem to match up. Guessing Matt is right about NSIC teams not wanting to fly, but I know New Haven has been raising lots of money and they might be able to fly to MN.

I would like to see it happen, it would remind me of when New Haven was independent and played anywhere.

[Stanger86]

I think with NSIC teams all the sudden getting a bye week to schedule an OOC game in 2023..I get no impression any of them are trying to schedule a flight-needed game. I would love to be wrong and see somebody schedule a game like WT..but I really would be surprised.

With how last-second it is, do you think more teams will be willing to bite the bullet this year and schedule D3/NAIA?