OT: Idaho to drop to FCS
On the heels of the push by some at EMU to drop out of the FBS, it is being reported that Idaho will announce that they will drop to FCS. Idaho and New Mexico State had their memberships revoked by the Sun Belt last month. Unlike EMU, I'm not sure Idaho had much of a choice as they would have had to move forward as an independent in FBS.
They were a Big Sky power and frankly, this is the best solution for them. I think it sticks in their craw a bit that Boise St. is doing so well and Nevada has been able to survive, but it's time to be realistic and between Eastern Washington, Montana, and Montana St. they'll still be playing good football against regional rivals.
Boise St. has been quietly dominant for a long time (about 50 years). Granted, they haven't played in the best conferences (while shuffling around the Big Sky, Big West, WAC, Mountain West, etc.), but here are the NCAA rankings for the best all-time winning percentages:
1. Notre Dame .732
2. Michigan .729
3. Boise State .724
4. Ohio State .720
5. Oklahoma .718
6. Alabama .716
7. Texas .712
8. USC .702
One of these things is not like the others.
It's completely apples and oranges. Like you said, they've been largely beating up on a completely different caliber of teams than the rest of the schools on that list. If they were geographically located anywhere but the middle of nowhere, they would have been snapped up by a major conference and that winning percentage would have suffered.
That's true, obviously, but it's not like they just started winning when Chris Peterson (or Dan Hawkins) got there. They've been winning throughout their history. I didn't realize that until I looked them up.
And it's kind of interesting that top schools by winning percentage don't include a bunch programs that are beating up on weak conferences. I mentioned a few of them above, but it goes on... 9. Nebraska, 10. Penn State, 11. Tennessee, 12. Florida State, etc.
Right, they've been a successful program, and deserve credit for that. But it's misleading to stack up their all-time record against all those other teams, since the vast majority of it occurred at lower levels. I mean, Yale has also won over 70% of its all-time games, and spent far longer as a top-division team than Boise State has, but nobody's arguing that they should be on this list.
ever a Big Sky power, but they did well in that conference and that's probably where they belong. It is one of the best FCS conferences in the country so good competition there.
Logged in to +1.
Did the exact same thing.
"Idaho? Aw fuck no, YOU da HO, bitch!"
Now if only other potato producing states would be relegated....
with the coming storm of realignment most people see on the horizon, and the momentous push towards paying players, might be time to look at reality for some of these programs.
as noted above, I'm sure they're a little frustrated that Boise took off and they have been awful, but they play all their other sports in the Big Sky I believe and will return to a football league that has their regional rivals. Smart move for them.
EMU and NMSU should probably follow suit.
They're a significantly better academic school vs. Boise State, they were historically (slightly) better than Boise State at the D-1AA level, and Idaho had a prior D-1 legacy even before moving back up in 1996. They were conference members with the original Pac-8 schools up until 1958. Boise State was still a JC then.
But since the mid-1990s: Boise State passed them --- then lapped them several times over.
Location really works against the Vandals, unfortunately. It's either the MWC or Big Sky. And the MWC is simply "full" at 12 teams. There is no more room at the inn.
I know a New Mexico State alum and for his sake I would like to see them hang-on at the FBS level. It will be tough for them, too. I was kind of surprised the Sun Belt didn't keep NMSU. Louisiana public universities have big-time budget problems right now: Louisiana-Monroe frankly has no business playing football at the FBS level and the budget problems may cause them to drop FBS football. That would open a spot in the Sun Belt for NMSU. Might be NMSU's best shot at long-term FBS viablity.
I did not even know they were an FBS school.
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Somehow this must be the fault of John L. Smith.
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This move means that an even higher percentage of FBS schools now qualify for a bowl.
Too bad it doesn't mean that they're going to eliminate some bowl games. We've already seen too many 5-7 teams make bowls. If more teams follow suit and drop to FCS, it's only a matter of time before a 4-8 team is "rewarded" with a bowl appearance.
(8) 12-team conferences based on geography and rivalries please.
And no, I'm not pushing conference winners go to a tournament...I'd just like to see the (8) 12-team conferences first and then take it from there.
they belong. Used to be an FCS school and did well at the level. They are out of their league at D-I
April 27th, 2016 at 10:18 PM ^
As an Idaho alum (grad school) I am...completely unmoved by this. Football there was a mildly interesting side show a few weekends of the year but I was coming from U of M so most places would likely feel the same. Kibbie Dome represent, now pass the lentils.
for about a 20% chance of ever making it big, it's refreshing to see a program like Idaho exercise common sense and do what's best for them. This will likely revive fan interest and renew old rivalries with Idaho State and Montana. Best deal for everyone.
Concerning New Mexico State, their solution isn't as cut and dry. It's highly unlikely either the MWC or C-USA will take them, so they may be better served going to FCS as well. The Southland could make some sense, since New Mexico directly borders Texas.
April 28th, 2016 at 10:05 AM ^
From a competitive standpoint....I'd much rather be a FCS powerhouse than an FBS door mat with no home.
If you're in the Power 5, then by all means...get the shit kicked out of you every week. But if you're these schools, out west with no real home, no guaranteed home games versus big schools that will draw fans. Go to FCS.
The majority of the MAC and Sun Belt need to do the same.