Potential conference shakeups

[Panthers to the Bone]

http://www.ncaabbs.com/forums/bigeast/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=23252&start=0

It will be interesting to see how all of this comes about. In particular, it will also be interesting to see if there is a new conference created, which would affect basketball (NCAA tourney bids). Any thoughts on how this may or may not effect UNI football, FCS football, and NCAA basketball?

[BCPanther]

Looking at it, it would appear that it won't affect basketball that much. The NCAA will just add another play in game and keep the same number of At Larges.

It would really change football. I would almost think that most of the upper level SoCon teams (Appy, Furman especially) would almost certainly make the jump. The NCAA has said that 50 bowl games are not out of the question, so obviously there is a place for everyone. You can just see most of the upper level FCS programs making the jump in the near future.

I see Appy, Montana, UMass and probably others going FBS (Including YSU). Where does that leave us?? There is absolutely no way we are leaving the Valley. I get this feeling that we may end up being a big fish in a little pond, football wise.

I think the only way we end up in FBS is if WSU brings back football and forces the other Valley members to bring back Valley football in the FBS...

[Newsbreaker]

That would be interesting, leaving C-USA and potentially the Sun Belt (laughing at Western Kentucky now) in shambles.

My first thought was that some of those schools would make nice basketball additions to the MVC, but it would leave them as football independents, and it's clear they don't want that.

Personally, outside of teams moving up to FCS football, the MVC/Gateway is tremendously grounded, and I don't think much will change for us. It would probably mean (if an extra conference is created) that the NCAA Men's Tourney would move to a 4-play in game format.

My first reaction...if the NCAA likes the I-AA Title game being on a I-AA field, UT-Chat moving up might mean we see that game here in Cedar Falls very soon.

[BCPanther]

My first reaction...if the NCAA likes the I-AA Title game being on a I-AA field, UT-Chat moving up might mean we see that game here in Cedar Falls very soon.

Isn't it up for new bids after this year?? I would assume we will go after it hard core again. It shoud be here. Why are they making people sit outside in 40 degree Chatty, when they could be playing in the 72 degree friendly confines of the UNI-Dome.

We had 90,000 for the Wrestling tourney, we can handle 15,000 for the football title game...

[Panthers to the Bone]

I would think that being able to host the title game in the Dome, and use the McLeod Center as 'the Pavillion', would make for a great atmosphere. The only problem would be the Northwest Airlines pilots!

[Matt Trump]

Montana is not going to go FBS. They have had the chance many times and haven't done it. They love being top 5 every year at this level.

[UNI MadCat]

This is just some guy's opinion.

[jegbomb52]

I liked Chatty, we can't offer the proximity and downtown area that Chattanooga offers. That is a great atmosphere that we cannot provide. There were 1/2 a dozen or more hotels within walking distance from their stadium. Plus, the weather we had down there at the time was the worst they had seen in a while. Keep it in Chatty!

[JCPanthers]

Plus...haven't they been getting record crowds 20,000+ for the last couple of years? I doubt the NCAA would move it to a location that wouldn't be able to accommodate this size of a crowd.

[Newsbreaker]

I think as long as UT-Chatt stays FPS you won't see the game move. The subclassification is centered in the East, it's a classification stadium, and they do a nice job with the game.

IF they move up, I think that changes things a great deal. In that case, we can put together an amazingly compelling bid. Using the McLeod as a "fan center", the WRC, and set up some sort of really easy shuttle system between local hotels and the Athletic Complex.

I think someplace like Main Street, blocked off and turned into a plaza area the night before/game night would creat a really cool sort of "winter" atmosphere.

[MiloCat]

It's amazing how many people have "sources" inside an athletic dept.

[joecooll6]

Chattanooga is a great location IMO, I thought it was the perfect city for that event. You cant walk around Cedar Falls downtown like you did in Chatty in the middle of December. I would love it here, dont get me wrong, but it just that cold leads me to believe it wouldnt work out. Plus, is the dome big enough?

[UNI MadCat]

It's amazing how many people have "sources" inside an athletic dept.

Exactly. That entire thread is a bunch of crap. Notice how the guy that posted it disappeared and never came back to provide further information. This is not happening.

[Panthers to the Bone]

Exactly. That entire thread is a bunch of crap. Notice how the guy that posted it disappeared and never came back to provide further information. This is not happening.

Are you talking about me or the guy who posted the thread on the link that I provided?

For clarification, I was just bringing up a conversation piece, no promoting any change in conference affiliations. I'm not sure how that was perceived by those reading this thread.