The point is - they are trying. They double down. And then go to the ATM and double down again. We hem and haw and wring our hands and make excuses. As for the financial albatross, they are betting on themselves. It may be dumb. But if and when it pays off, we will be jealous as hell. Look at BYU. How many of us made fun of them for going independent? How many of us castigated them for being arrogant and wrote the epitaph for the Boogers that leaned heavily on them having made a huge mistake for leaving the MW for the uncertainty of independence? Now look at them. They are at the apex of the Big XII having success we could only dream about. They bet on themselves and they hit. If CSU somehow finds the next Sonny Lubick with a new stadium and a town and university that are pretty attractive - look out. Meanwhile, we will just be little ol' Wyo - thanking our lucky stars for crap bowl appearances, 6-6 seasons, and good guys that graduate.
CSU gambles believing that the alternative (continuing to putter into oblivion and being left in a crappy league forever) is worse than pulling the slot handle and risking financial security. I don't want to be reckless, but we have nothing to show for the billions invested in our campus and athletics programs either. They are at least on the field - in the arena - kicking and fighting. We are pining for the 80s and doing nothing to find our way back.