Gateway Conference

[PurpleCatFan]

With Western Kentucky leaving the Gateway some talk has been about North Dakota State and South Dakota State joining the conference.

I was just looking at the latest 1-AA rankings.......and if they were both in the conference today, man this is/would be one super tough conference!

As of today...
#5 North Dakota State
#6 Youngstown State
#7 Illinois State
#12 UNI
#14 Southern Illinois
#22 South Dakota State

Western Illinois always tough (ask UNI) and building with a young team
Missouri State building under TA
Indiana State who knows but they have shown improvement under new coach

[TravelingPanther]

There's rumors of The SoCon expanding and maybe adding an OVC team. If that happens do you think YSU goes back to the OVC to avoid the trip to the Dakotas?

[Marc Wigim]

Youngstown State in the OVC would be like a man among little boys. Although Youngstown has shown no interest in improving its schedule anyways... so what the heck.

[UNIAlum95]

There's rumors of The SoCon expanding and maybe adding an OVC team. If that happens do you think YSU goes back to the OVC to avoid the trip to the Dakotas?

I think it would be a real possibility. Consider that they have but a single shared conference crown while playing in the gateway. Consider the scenario that they don't win the conference crown this year and the SUs join up. Why stay where you can't win and have to travel further. It would be a bummer to lose them but I can see it happening.

[Marc Wigim]

Alum95 is on to something here, but shame on YSU if they pull a move like this. It would be a lot like Iowa moving to the Mid-Con just so that they could claim more conference titles.

That being said, I wouldn't put it past the Penguins to do something like this.

[UNIAlum95]

Alum95 is on to something here, but shame on YSU if they pull a move like this. It would be a lot like Iowa moving to the Mid-Con just so that they could claim more conference titles.

That being said, I wouldn't put it past the Penguins to do something like this.

How is it any different than EIU? Schools do make those types of moves especially if they don't have a good geographical fit to the conference. It's pure speculation though.

[Marc Wigim]

It would be EXACTLY like EIU, thanks for reminding me. I competely forgot that Eastern Illinois pulled that same move some 12 or 13 years ago.

[FlyYtown]

Youngstown State in the OVC would be like a man among little boys. Although Youngstown has shown no interest in improving its schedule anyways... so what the heck.

I take that as a CHEAP SHOT at Youngstown State Athletic Director Ron Strollo..... YSU improved its schedule DRASTICALLY This year and again in 2007. After the snubbing last year, our AD has put up BIG $$ to get one year deal non-conference games..... Something I am proud of!:

2005--HORRIBLE:
Liberty
Northeastern

2006:
UC-DAVIS
Maine

2007:
THE Ohio State
Stony Brook--- NO D2 For Us!!!!
South Dakota State
and 2 more: Not Known of YET!

BTW: Youngstown State WILL NOT go to the OVC..... but if NDSU and SDSU join the GFC; I am told we will look for other options in I-AA or look for a move up to the MAC in I-A.... Our fans are our top priority; and having them going all the way out to the Dakota's is not service them right.....

GO PENGUINS

[Marc Wigim]

You're right... I should NEVER compare YSU to Eastern Illinois. I got a little out of control there.

It would be terrific for Youngstown State to go to the MAC, but the last I'd heard the Mid-American Conference was not interested in actually IMPROVING the quality of its membership. Didn't the MAC turn down a vote to allow YSU in a few years back in lieu of... Buffalo? Good call, MAC.

YSU's biggest problem is that there's nothing geographically friendly to a I-AA team in Northeastern Ohio... especially since the A-10 is toast in a few years.

[unifan]

So I guess it's alright then for every other team and their fans to come all the way out to Youngstown to watch a game, but road games for YSU are just too much. That'd make me sick if YSU gets in the playoffs before UNI. I know they've been playing better, but they can be just as inconsistent as UNI is. At least if both teams make the playoffs that'd be good for UNI to beat them twice in one year.

[Newsbreaker]

The fans/travel angle is a weak one. It's not about fans traveling, it's about the expense of taking the team on that kind of road trip.

YSU hasn't been as successful in the Gateway as they thought they'd be, and it would be pretty disappointing to see them flee. Concerning a move to the MAC, they should hang on and see what happens to WKU, it will be a cautionary tale for all.

[FlyYtown]

So I guess it's alright then for every other team and their fans to come all the way out to Youngstown to watch a game, but road games for YSU are just too much. That'd make me sick if YSU gets in the playoffs before UNI. I know they've been playing better, but they can be just as inconsistent as UNI is. At least if both teams make the playoffs that'd be good for UNI to beat them twice in one year.

Our losses were in Week 3 vs. PENN STATE and Week 8.
And since that UNI loss; we have beat at the time #3 Illinois State by 14 in their place and #12 Southern Illinois! That is so inconsistent.... isn't it????

UNI must win out to make the playoffs; and they will have to beat the 2 teams YSU did beat; if they can do that; then I have to say they will be one of the tougher teams to be in the playoffs!

YSU Was voted down in the MAC due to Akron/Kent... They liked BUFFALO???
And we also were turned down by Coach Cooper at Ohio State to play them in the 90s; at a time when Coopers team were down and Tressel's were up; he refused; afraid of an upset.

[MiloCat]

Just as inconsistent my ass!
Our losses were in Week 3 vs. PENN STATE and Week 8.
And since that UNI loss; we have beat at the time #3 Illinois State by 14 in their place and #12 Southern Illinois! That is so inconsistent.... isn't it????

UNI must win out to make the playoffs; and they will have to beat the 2 teams YSU did beat; if they can do that; then I have to say they will be one of the tougher teams to be in the playoffs!

YSU Was voted down in the MAC due to Akron/Kent... They liked BUFFALO???
And we also were turned down by Coach Cooper at Ohio State to play them in the 90s; at a time when Coopers team were down and Tressel's were up; he refused; afraid of an upset.

Not if you lose this weekend. I'm not counting on that, though.

[FlyYtown]

Ya and remember: I am not looking by Western Kentucky; but I think YSU has the better team and we already saw the past 2 weeks 2 of the GFC's best backs go up against Mason; and one was just bad the other did well... This week we should be in for a modest week.

Mason will outdue Moore by 100+ yards.

[TravelingPanther]

Good to have you back again Fly.

It was pure speculation based on geography. Maybe you guys will move to the Pioneer and play in-state rival Dayton.