NDSU to the MW.....

[IceBoxDragon]

I do still think that D1 splits again and the G6 will be the clearly defined tier 2 of College Football, dropping all FCS to tier 3, D2 to tier 4 and D3 to tier 5. I think this causes schools at the edge of the divisions to seriously look at moving.

I feel it's almost already been that way for a while. FBS has been one level for a long time, but basically the entire AQ/G5/G6 has never really had a legitimate path to a national championship. Tulane, Marshall, Utah, Hawaii, Boise State, TCU (during their MWC days), Western Michigan and Central Florida all had undefeated seasons through the BCS and CFP era, and never had a chance to compete for the title. Even now, James Madison and Tulane have had to go into tough matches in the first round.

It's always been looked at as a de facto lower level of college football, meaning FCS has been viewed as another rung down in third, meaning D2 and D3 have basically been D4 and D5 in a practical sense.

I also don't see NDSU becoming more of a high profile program than Minnesota. The Gophers aren't a great team or anything, but the Big Ten is still the Big Ten, and that's even more true today.

[zimmy21]

I feel it's almost already been that way for a while. FBS has been one level for a long time, but basically the entire AQ/G5/G6 has never really had a legitimate path to a national championship. Tulane, Marshall, Utah, Hawaii, Boise State, TCU (during their MWC days), Western Michigan and Central Florida all had undefeated seasons through the BCS and CFP era, and never had a chance to compete for the title. Even now, James Madison and Tulane have had to go into tough matches in the first round.

It's always been looked at as a de facto lower level of college football, meaning FCS has been viewed as another rung down in third, meaning D2 and D3 have basically been D4 and D5 in a practical sense.

Hence why I said, clearly defined.

[zimmy21]

I also don't see NDSU becoming more of a high profile program than Minnesota. The Gophers aren't a great team or anything, but the Big Ten is still the Big Ten, and that's even more true today.

Maybe it's a reach, but if NDSU starts making CFP playoff appearances you can just about bet that the local recruits might just think twice about what being on a loser Big Ten team means over a winning Mountain West squad.

[WSUWarriorFan]

Maybe it's a reach, but if NDSU starts making CFP playoff appearances you can just about bet that the local recruits might just think twice about what being on a loser Big Ten team means over a winning Mountain West squad.

NDSU making the playoffs before MN would be an all time moment. Their arrogance when referring to St Thomas not being real D1 when they announced their move rubbed me the wrong way. They haven't been nationally relevant since sliced bread was invented and they think they can talk. Maybe they can row to another low level bowl win again this season.

[vikingfaithful]

NDSU making the playoffs before MN would be an all time moment. Their arrogance when referring to St Thomas not being real D1 when they announced their move rubbed me the wrong way. They haven't been nationally relevant since sliced bread was invented and they think they can talk. Maybe they can row to another low level bowl win again this season.

It was getting somewhat stale dominating FCS, so Bison made a ballsy decision to take on the FBS challenge. They will never have the recruiting budget or the 60k plus stadiums other regional Universities have. NDSU will have to win early and often to remain that plucky giant slayer from North Dakota.

Bison reputation as a giant slayer has scared P4 teams from scheduling them for their pre-conference games. 10 or more years ago, NE Cornhuskers had NDSU scheduled for a beat-down and earn a half million for it. The prior year NDSU beat
Iowa or Wisconsin, which gave NU cold feet so they quietly paid-off NDSU to make the game go away. Good stuff.

[IceBoxDragon]

It was getting somewhat stale dominating FCS, so Bison made a ballsy decision to take on the FBS challenge. They will never have the recruiting budget or the 60k plus stadiums other regional Universities have. NDSU will have to win early and often to remain that plucky giant slayer from North Dakota.

Bison reputation as a giant slayer has scared P4 teams from scheduling them for their pre-conference games. 10 or more years ago, NE Cornhuskers had NDSU scheduled for a beat-down and earn a half million for it. The prior year NDSU beat
Iowa or Wisconsin, which gave NU cold feet so they quietly paid-off NDSU to make the game go away. Good stuff.

To play devil's advocate, though, what are the advantages of a P4 team playing NDSU? If they win, it's still not often considered useful toward rankings or bowl selection, and if they lose, it's still a stain on their record since it would be an FCS loss. I think it made some sense from a risk/reward mentality when considering whether or not to schedule the Bison.

On another point, I do think it would be arrogant for those associated with the Gophers to not consider St. Thomas as "real D1," but they didn't really help their cause when they lost to Sioux Falls as an FCS team.

[Discopooch]

I think that's the bulk of it if I remember correctly.

I'm not going to pretend to understand the relationship between those three but I don't think the bigger brothers like the smaller one too much.

Especially, since Scheel's has more Augie gear now...lol...(but still not as much as USD or SDSU)