I’m not following. Every FCS school has sports that are already competing in Division 1. FCS is Division 1!! It’s only in football where Division 1 is further subdivided.
The MWC will have to add at least 4 schools when all is said and done. There are only a few current FBS schools that would even come to this conference given its future makeup. Bringing up FCS teams is going to become a necessity of survival.
We are entering a future where the MWC is now the lowest rung of FBS football. Less media value than the MAC. Beggars can’t be choosers. This is the new reality. And it happened on Burman’s watch with what does not appear to be a plan in place at all.
Sorry, had to go overseas for a bit and never replied. I agree that there will need to be 2-4 schools that need to be brought into the conference. I also think there could be an alternative to bring FCS schools in that can help recruiting. The basis is this: TX replacement schools have fertile recruiting grounds to support the MWC over MT/ND. WYO had almost lost MWC street cred due to lack of attendance (remember project 20k?) Now we are asking smaller schools to hold that amount of people regularly when it is SJSU hosting the mighty Jackrabbits of SD who they may have only see during the FCS playoffs? There is no enhancement to going North.
Meanwhile, there is plenty of ripe opportunity with additional PAC funds to assist other schools get out of their current scenario. NMSU, UTEP, TXST, UTSA, UNT don't like their situations. I am good friends with an high-up individual in the UTSA athletics department, and many are saying they would "jump ship" immediately if a good opportunity like MWC presents itself, have been for years but never got approached.
Then comes travel...these schools all sit in very large and passionate fanbases who are similar to those of the MWC. Furthermore, many of them are in or near Military bases (AFA again). They are relatively easy to get in/out of, and have nicer weather for the November slate of games. There are regional rivalries with these schools that can be enhanced via more than ESPN+. It can be easy for a recruiter to attend 2-3 games, visit multiple schools, and still be there for the WYO road game all in the same weekend.
I just don't see how anything to the North of Laramie presents a good chance of keeping AFA engaged. E While the fanbases are passionate, they just don't fit the need. MWC can get back what they lost other than BSU. It just needs to focus on TV Markets (not in the North), and recruiting grounds (also not in the North). Unless those are in the Mid-West rather than the Northern Rockies. College FB is all about eyes on the game, not attendance anymore.
As for the Burman argument, I agree 100% and his nepotism has run WYO of contention for anything other than bottom of the barrel. He and his family may mean a lot to the state, but there is a reason that an AD of his tenure has not been offered bigger and better things. It is apparent that he is out of touch these days, and the youth of the conference just proved it while running circles around him and leaving.
