Who Will Be the 9th Member of the Mountain West Conference? - Mountain West Addition Update

[@eric6282]

As an NIU fan, you all do a great job. MWC fans are lucky to have you all cover them.

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

Thank you. We enjoy doing it.

[@murkrow2316]

As a Toledo fan I’d be more than honored to be a part of MW conference.

[@CreightonRabs]

Much like NIU, where is Toledo going to get the extra funding just to cover travel expenses to join the MWC? That's why I think the rumor is complete hogwash.

[@icysnow9459]

I have to imagine the jackrabbits would have to join them. Both are not only rivals with a popular rivalry, but equal in success.

[@ABQREDorGREEN]

That's ridiculous. That's like saying NMSU would have to join UTEP because they have a popular rivalry. I really don't want NDSU to begin with, much less another hangar on. The media market for either school are terrible.

[@BrandonErbstoesser-uk6ul]

SDSU and NDSU would give the MWC a very good prestige. They both would garner more attention and national attention to the MWC. MWC lost their face brand in Boise state to the pac 12. NDSU and SDSU both could be the faces of MWC. They both could end up in the top 25 national ranks in the FBS. They both could make a CFB playoffs. Regardless who wins the conference. Not just that. But make bowl game appearances which will help MWC garner national media attention as well. Which will attract more teams and it will the prestige of the MWC. They both are powerhouses in the FCS level. Now that doesn't mean MWC is looking for a package deal but they possibly could for the best product for football. So it is possible that SDSU could go with NDSU to the MWC as a package deal. It's a possibility.

[@bradymoon1889]

​​@@ABQREDorGREENi think they both would come in and compete for conf champs right away.... They have established brands that casuals would watch. Not to mention the near 100% viewership in there own market. I doubt Tarelton St draws the viewership being that they are such a small fish in a big pond in Texas.

[@DocSkirv]

You have done great with guests….

[@chrisowen3264]

Saying NDSU and SDSU have equal success outside of the rivalry is a joke NDSU has 9 titles in 13 years and SDSU only has two yes the games in the regular season have been split evenly but titles make programs what they are as far as overall success. I think SDSU has a great program and I respect the hell out of them but don’t put them on the pedestal with NDSU just yet.

[@perrystevenson6364]

i luv your show...informative and great MW coverage, I do really like the idea of adding NDSU and SDSU for football...both shcools have been very competitive where theyve been. Im really like St. Mary's for BB....gives the MW a good bb brand and deny's the PAC which is frosting on the cake....and if they could add NIU for football...i wonder what enticements the MW could give NIU to join the MW...maybe that would entice Toledo to re-evaluate and consider the MW for football even more so....and Tarleton St. as a full member....i think makes the MW a solid G-5 conf. and could bring in a good tv contract with multiple time zones and solid programs.

[@jkh2180]

Interesting video. Great information, thank you. As a fan of college football in the state of Utah I love keeping up with the Mountain West even though all the local schools have moved on. Still see some old faces I like to check in on.

[@ronclark9724]

Why not add Weber State to the MWC? Is there a reason why not?

[@paulmezzetta6905]

Like the video, thank you for your coverage of the Mountain West Conference.

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

Thx for the support

[@CowsMakeMooSound]

Love this content!

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

🤠

[@natnaelberhanu-i8w]

Idaho making a comeback to the FBS would be dope

[@terryfox9344]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Personally, I tend to look primarily at football impact, but there are many other ways to view realignment. My comment today, will be focused on the potential addition of Northern Illinois, North Dakota State, or Tarleton State as a football only member from the perspective of the prospective school. First, Northern Illinois. My initial reaction was "No way in hell that this would benefit Northern Illinois". I have since learned that a significant faction within NIU were in favor. So, I reevaluated. I can see where NIU might do it, IF they could leave the rest of their sports in the MAC. Since, I understand that this is not possible, I don't believe that they should or will leave the MAC. The reason is that their other conference options, which would be the Horizon or the Summit are not good fits. The Horizon consists of City and former D2 schools. Northern Illinois is NOT a City school , nor is it a Chicago, or even a suburban Chicago school, as is Northwestern. It simply is not a fit culturally. The Summit is a Missouri Valley league that extends into the Rockies! Again, this is NOT a fit, and do you really want your basketball teams playing in North Dakota in the middle of winter? Hard pass. Second, North Dakota State. I think that they would and should jump, football-only. As good as the MVFC is, it does not match the MWC. So, the football piece is clear. The rest of their sports are in the Summit and they would stay there, as their Summit membership would not be effected. Third, Tarleton State. Tarleton is a member of the WAC, which doesn't "offer" football, but has an agreement with the UAC. Football-only would be perfect for them. They would replace 2 Eastern teams, with a Pacific and a Hawaiian team. They would accept any reasonable offer to join.

[@bradymoon1889]

NIU is already an affiliate member for Missouri Valley Conference. I think that would be the conference that all their other sports would join.

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

Great analysis as always, Terry. Thx for your thoughts!

[@psychopathyoutubeemployees280]

@@bradymoon1889 - For bleeping SOCCER! Not going to happen.

[@dennistuel898]

North Dakota State seems to be the most sensible. Football only. Adds a solid piece Doesn’t mess with an already solid MBB conference.

[@chrisowen3264]

The thing is both SDSU and NDSU have good basketball programs as well with multiple NCAA tournament births so it’s not a bad add in hoops either. I do agree football is the better of the two for both but they’re not bad hoops teams.

[@TheAveragejoe333]

Thanks for looking into the potential of NDSU, even if your hand was forced by the Brett McMurphy report. Would love to see an interview with their AD if you guys were able to arrange it to hear his thoughts.

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

We are working on getting several interviews lined up. We will see what we can do.

[@ronclark9724]

@@TheBigMountainPodcast I really enjoyed the interview with Tarleton State's AD...

[@eric6282]

If it's not NIU because our administration won't make the move i do think N. Dakota St would be competitive in FBS.

[@StevenClark-ss4fq]

Half the students come from the Minneapolis area. They wouldn't get Gophers numbers, but they would get high viewership in the Minneapolis area.

[@TDBEARO74]

Great show I enjoy watching you guys down here in Missouri. I do have a question and I know it's pretty stupid more less but I'm going to ask anyways. If and yes I know it would never happen sure. But if Mizzou lift the SEC or got removed from the SEC for what ever reason do you think the mountain West would ask Mizzou to join even if they knew it would be a long shot?

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

Would certainly think it would be worth a shot. No doubt.

[@ronclark9724]

If Missouri got kicked out of the SEC they would probably return back to the Big 12 with former long term rivals in Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, and Oklahoma State...

[@bradymoon1889]

The MWC has to add established FB programs. I think adding both North & South Dakota St as FB only solidifies the MWC football. I think the Dakotas will draw casual fans to watch outside of their market because of their established brand. If they could add S Marys for BB, then the biggest money maker may end up being basketball, and keeping the Dakotas as FB only you wouldnt have to split it with them. This strengthens both basketball and football for the MWC.

[@perrystevenson6364]

i like your thoughts on this...but i also think adding NIU and Tarleton St. would also benifit the MW for the central time zone exposure. I get theyve sorta cooled off their interest...but if we could do whatmyou suggested and add the 2 schools i mentioned....it would be a home run for the MW.

[@psychopathyoutubeemployees280]

@@perrystevenson6364 - Northern Illinois isn't stupid to abandon the MAC!

[@thatcollegefootballguy]

It seems to me that Tarleton State may be a football only addition for now with a possibility of full membership later with more investment in their facilities.

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

We are not sure they are interested in FB only membership.

[@ronclark9724]

By 2026 the new event center will be completed in 2025... At that time they may have the best basketball arena in the MWC...

[@CreightonRabs]

Considering everyone other school of even slight relevance has fled the WAC, including most of the Texas members to the Southland, Tarleton might make a lot more sense in the MWC, despite being a geographic outlier, than staying in a conference that's running out of lives in the WAC.

[@wesleyhale4614]

@@TheBigMountainPodcast I am pretty sure they would be even if FB only, The WAC would work fine for OLY's and FBS was the main goal, where the other sports go/stay is of less concern. And eventually the could move the other sports there in the future, but just getting FB to FBS is the priority.

[@paidtourist6563]

Youre saying that that location and travel to fargo could present a problem for MW teams...While the MW teams travel to Hawaii every year. The distance from San Jose to Fargo is like 800 miles shorter than Dan Jose to Hawaii. The distance from Vegas to Fargo is like 900 miles shorter than from Vegas to Hawaii. And both Air Force and Wyoming travel like 2400 miles more going to Hawaii as opposed to Fargo.

[@stevenvitte]

I'm still prepared to lose Northern Illinois if it comes down to it. Although judging by reports, it sounds like NIU is starting to back away from the idea of joining the MWC. To the point I made on Bobcat Corner, even if the MAC keeps NIU and Toledo, they need to start being more aggressive and add a couple more schools. That way they can try to improve their future media deal. North Dakota State would be a wise addition for the MWC. I've always believed the Dakotas belonged to the MWC if they wanted to move up to FBS. Tarleton State down the road too. Sacramento State; don't dismiss that though they will need time to wait for that invite.

[@perrystevenson6364]

i think St. Mary's would be great for basketball.....makes the MW more competitive and denys the pac of another add,.

[@psychopathyoutubeemployees280]

@@perrystevenson6364 - The Pac's LONG TERM goal is to get Stanford and California back in the 2030's. St. Mary's, San Francisco, Santa Clara and especially San Jose State prevents that since Stan and Cal looks beneath the other Bay Area universities.

[@CreightonRabs]

Even if the MAC brings back Marshall, it still would be a decent addition to the league. I don't know how many options within the MAC's footprint make logical sense, unless they want to tap into the Middle Tennessee/Nashville market and snag Western Kentucky while they're at it. But, if the only add is Marshall, it's not the worst thing in the world to start as the MAC seems to be the more stable of the G5 leagues (Sun Belt might be up there as well).

[@DocSkirv]

Good for NDSU. Would love to see what they could do.

[@miamea2]

I think the reality will be simply alignment will be on hold temporarily until both the PAC12 and MW get their media deals. Once that occurs we could see a change in college sports again in the spring. Reality will be either A) both the PaC12 and MW realized they can make more money together, B) the MW or the PAC12 revenue returns will be not as great now that their top brands are gone and the conferences implodes, C) both the PAC12 and MW get decent deals to hold both groups together and stem the tide until everything blows up again when the SEC goes to market again in 2029.

[@billymoton91]

They have to get North Dakota St. and South Dakota St., lack of media or not, this will make the Mt.west the top power 6 of all of them.

[@ScottPrestin-y9t]

NIU should receive an all sports offer.

[@Spitfirethedragon]

NDSU's media market is 119th in the country. It is bigger than Washington State's media market. Fargo is on the border of Minnesota. Plus, I heard NDSU wants to join the MWC for all sports. MWC have multi bid men's basketball bids. Adding both NDSU and South Dakota State for all sports would add very strong men's basketball programs. NDSU beat Oklahoma in the men's basketball tournament. Abilene Christian University is also expanding their stadium, and have eyes to move up. Lamar wants FBS so badly. Sacramento State wants to be in FBS now. They would add another California school to make Hawaii happy.

[@ronclark9724]

Abilene Christian University is a good rival with Tarleton State... As for Lamar, either Conference USA or Sun Belt would be a better geographical fit.... Unfortunately Abilene doesn't have as large a TV market as DFW...

[@Spitfirethedragon]

@@ronclark9724 To be honest, they are outside f the Dallas tv market. They fall outside of Austin, Dallas and San Angelo markets that any three could claim.

[@MitchellStil]

Has New Mexico State ever been considered for the MWC? If you look at the map, there would be great rivalries with UTEP and UNM. I think it would be a fit. Please comment.

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

We do not believe they have been.

[@ivanmarquez4738]

NMSU has always been the most ignored school, at least athletically. I remember when they were in the Missouri Valley Conference because WAC refused them in. The PCAA/Big West was desperate and let us in. Like CUSA, we did not belong in the Main Geographic area

[@EdWilkerson-f2h]

Yes, media markets are important. But, Rivalries are important to the cohesiveness of a conference. Bringing in NMSU brings rivalry potential with two schools.

[@perrystevenson6364]

@@EdWilkerson-f2h i get it....but NMSU has had some serious "in" university issues of late with their BB players getting into trouble and other glaring issues. i believe NMSU needs a few yrs of stability within itself to make it a more stable addition. in the past NMSU and UNLV had a great rivalry in BB....so i get ur rivalry point.....but those issues that occured at NMSU were significant.

[@G_54-GMG]

​@@EdWilkerson-f2h New Mexico does not want them in the same conference because of very bad things happening in the New Mexico State athletic department.

[@MrMuppetLover]

NDSU is the most obvious.

[@EyeOfTheWatcher]

Will the MWC allows them to keep a local media deal, separate from the conference?

[@TheAveragejoe333]

That’s a good question. I’d love to know that as well. I’d assume not as it would be under the umbrella of the Mountain West’s media deal and those would be competing contracts. I imagine the only reason NDSU is able to have their current deal is because the MVFC doesn’t have any media deal I’m aware of, so they were able to make their own locally.

[@CreightonRabs]

NIU's nearest potential Mountain West rival (Air Force) is about the same distance from DeKalb, Ill. (1,000 miles) than their (newest) furthest MAC rival, UMass-Amherst (977 miles) with their next furthest rival (Buffalo) 605 miles from DeKalb; most of NIU's rivals are within 200-to-500 miles away. Why would NIU even think about giving that up for a massive spike in travel costs alone? As for Toledo, they're literally in the center of the conference (until UMass-Amherst joins the MAC, which makes little sense to me, but whatever, though they won't have to make trips out to St Louis or anymore). Why would they want to give up having two rivals less than an hour away (Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green), not to mention two rivals in the Cleveland area about 2.5 hours away (Kent State and Akron) - most of Toledo's MAC rivals, save for NIU and Buffalo, are less than four hours from Toledo.

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

For football only - it isn’t that big of a deal for travel. You are talking about 4 conference games.

[@CreightonRabs]

@@TheBigMountainPodcast Why would any team leave an all sports conference that includes football to become football-only members of a conference which may end up falling behind CUSA if they don't get their act together? Again, Toledo is literally in the geographic center of the MAC and can travel to most current rivals in less than four hours. Replacing bus trips with flights is a big deal for a program which isn't exactly raking in the money like, say, Ohio State.

[@jkh2180]

Has Weber St been considered at any point?

[@Spitfirethedragon]

Making a conference coast to coast will end up in failure. I disagree with that Thompson dude. This is not the pro leagues. This is college. These conferences should be in regions and not like it is today.

[@G_54-GMG]

North Dakota State and South Dakota State probably will not join because of a lot of requirements that they need to get up to the FBS level and you have to bring the other two Dakota schools with them.

[@TheAveragejoe333]

They don’t have to bring anybody with them.

[@Lawomenshoops]

People will ask about NMSU. Unless the Pac12 takes UTEP, very unlikely, NMSU won’t get a MWC invite!

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

💯

[@YellowstreakBison]

The PAC will probably take Texas St. If not, they will steal UTEP. My top picks for MW are: (School, revenue, time zone, distance to closest MW team if CT, Sagarin FB ranking) 1) UC Davis, $44M, PT, 103 2) MT St, $26M, MT, 71 3) MT, $29M, MT, 99 4) SD St, $26M, CT-672, 48 5) Sac St, $36M, PT, 167 6) ID, $23M, MT, 125 7) SD, $22M, CT-568, 75 8) N AZ, $25M, MT, 143 9) Incarnate W, $25M, CT-555, 117 10) NM St, $30M, MT, 182 11) Cal Poly, $37M, PT, 216 12) Abilene C, $21M, CT-448, 156 13) S Utah, $17M, MT, 150 14) Tarleton, $18M, CT-541, 139 15) ND St, $29M, CT-805, 54 16) San Diego, $29M, PT, 218 17) Weber, $16M, MT, 157 18) MO St, $30M, CT-743, 110 19) Sam H, $22M, CT-727, 104 20) Portland, $17M, PT, 178 ... 37) N IL, $22M, CT-945, 106

[@perrystevenson6364]

luv this list.

[@YHA-l9h]

UNM always doesn’t want to be in the same conference with NMSU no matter what. NMSU is better off with C-USA. Don’t even mention NMSU regarding MWC expansion.

[@aaronsudario]

Sac State or bust , much easier for travel and best media markets out of all available schools and funding trumps a time zone benefit. Don’t sleep on the Hornets

[@psychopathyoutubeemployees280]

Who Will Be the 9th Member of the Mountain West Conference? *Bishop Sycamore!*

[@paulmezzetta6905]

Can North Dakota State University leave University of North Dakota behind?

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

Yes. It is our understanding they can.

[@TheAveragejoe333]

They left UND behind when they first joined the FCS. UND didn’t follow into the FCS until about 5 years later.

[@chrisowen3264]

Yes UND brings literally nothing to the table with them. Their hockey team is already D1 and the rest of their sports are average at best.

[@robertsanders6858]

Louisiana Tech, St. Mary's, Texas State [try again], Tarlton State, Louisiana, New Mexico State, Sac State, Montana, North Dakota State and South Dakota State would all be good for the league (each for different reasons)

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

That’s a solid list for sure. Thx

[@psychopathyoutubeemployees280]

Only an idiot would think the Mountain West expanding into LOUISIANA is a good idea! How'd Louisiana Tech worked out for the WAC?

[@MichaelUriarte23]

What day and time are the picks this week gents? Wife’s outta town so I got the TV to myself and no fuckin having to watch Love is Blind 😂😂

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

Lol. Thursday 8:30 ET / 5:30 PT

[@N1oreo1]

LOLOL Why is it the same situation in my house? Me watching sports on my phone while Love is Blind is playing on the big screen 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@perrystevenson6364]

not me...i stream on my comp and plug in the 70" tv

[@psychopathyoutubeemployees280]

No one cares about your wife!

[@MichaelUriarte23]

@@perrystevenson6364 must be nice haha

[@Burciaga96]

Calling New Mexico a small state but then praising the Dakotas as a media market 😂 yall some clowns with contradicting points 🤡 new mexicos population is over 2.5 million as much as the dakotas AND Montana combined

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

You clearly didn’t listen. We said that the Dakotas don’t have a large media market. We said the addition would be for other reasons outside of a media market. Listen closer!

[@Burciaga96]

@TheBigMountainPodcast true that was said as well but yall said if they get north dakota state they pretty much get ALL of the Dakotas and Montanas viewers

[@TheAveragejoe333]

@@Burciaga96 they’re not wrong. These teams have great rivalries in the FCS and are always the top teams competing for the championship between these three states. They will have a vested interest in watching and seeing how NDSU does if they join the MWC. If they do well, the schools will wonder themselves how f they should be making similar moves. As another poster mentioned, they also get a large viewership in Minneapolis as they get a lot of their recruits from that area. Minneapolis has gone as far as sponsoring NDSU nights at Target Field. On top of that, they have made quite a brand of their name due to several upsets against much larger FBS teams over the years and have people rooting for them similarly as how Boise State has done.

[@hunttx19]

If the mountain west wants to be respected they need to get to 10 Football members if not 12

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

JY fully agrees with 10 or more.

[@perrystevenson6364]

@@TheBigMountainPodcast i agree totally

[@psychopathyoutubeemployees280]

Then add ALL FOUR major Dakotas!

[@huskers_smoke]

Surprised Northern IL has not made the move. The MAC is terrible. The Mountain West should add NDSU, SDSU, Montana, Montana State…take FCS brands football wise. Excess players in the Midwest commit to NDSU and SDSU despite having FBS offers. Commonly choose those two over Northern Illinois…who isn’t a brand. Will never be relevant in IL

[@CreightonRabs]

And where exactly is NIU - and for that matter, Toledo - going to get the money to fund an astronomical spike in travel expenses were they to join the MWC? These NIU and Toledo rumors reek of desperation by the MWC.

[@huskers_smoke]

@ Financially, does not make sense for NIU and Toledo.

[@luckuania8723]

New Mexico State makes the most sense regionally and for conference rivalry. UTEP and New Mexico would be built in, tried and true rivalries that mean something. Then add North Dakota State and South Dakota State to bump up to 12 teams. That's the most logical scenario in my mind. Add a proven FBS rival and then go grab the cream of the crop of the FCS.

[@psychopathyoutubeemployees280]

Too bad New Mexico does not want them. And the Lobos have lots of pull.

[@purpleivory2]

Let the other guy talk for Christ

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

🤣

[@TheBigMountainPodcast]

As we have said many times, JY is the MWC guy on TBM. Steve adds color as he deems fit. JY does the prep and this has a lot more to say. If you want to hear more from Steve, follow him on X.

[@jsweet744]

Does Siberia have an FCS team nobody wants to go to? Who's driving this carp? Grand canyon, ND, Tarleton State 😂 The faster San Jose can get out of this rinky dink, crazy conference the better

[@hunttx19]

lol no offense dude but does anyone actually care about San Jose State football? Outside of one season in 2012 y’all haven’t seen wins at all in the last 3 decades. Most of y’all’s season are 5-7. Y’all aren’t any better than anyone else in the mountain west in fact you’re actually towards the bottom of the pack.

[@jsweet744]

@@hunttx19 Theres a little more to it than that, where do you think all the recruits come from that this bottom of the pack team produces for the mountain west? No offense to you but nobody cares about some hick school out on the tundra that doesn't attend class and just practices football all day. We have Nobel prize winners at San Jose what do you have besides horse apples? Nothing, no recruits, no fans outside of your inbred karens and kens. Give me a break dood.

[@perrystevenson6364]

SJSU isnt going anywhere...what are your options?....the Pac doesn't want you or you'd of left with the other traitor schools....WAC...thats a step down....no disrespect but no power 4 conf wants you....thats the reality.

[@psychopathyoutubeemployees280]

@@hunttx19 - The only reason San Jose State is not in the Pac is because Stanford and California want nothing to do with them. The LONG TERM goal is to get Stan and Cal back in the 2030's once their ACC tour continues to turn their programs into trash!

[@hunttx19]

@ huh?

[@G_54-GMG]

Don't do it NIU. Do not try to ruin the Mid-American Conference! This is one of the few conferences that keeps their geographically correct mind set, besides UMass that should be kicked down to FCS.

[@psychopathyoutubeemployees280]

Buffalo isn't exactly MAC material either. Should add Temple, though they will probably wait for the Big "can't count past" 12. I doubt Northern Illinois and especially Toledo would be stupid to join Mountain West football, especially when they have to find another conference for the others...Big East 2.0 is not going to take them. DePaul and Xavier will see to that!

[@G_54-GMG]

@@psychopathyoutubeemployees280 Buffalo is more closer to the Great Lakes states than to an eastern conference of sorts. They're perfect with the MAC. If Marshall and Temple stayed, it would have been perfect.

[@CreightonRabs]

@@psychopathyoutubeemployees280 Trust me, the Big 12 would rather take Whatsamata U than take Temple.

[@MrProy33]

The MW is a glorified FCS conference now. Totally irrelevant. That would be the next smart move, move the entire conference into the FCS and they might start to ve successful. What cfb needs is a third tier. Divide into two leagues with 2 separate championships: Div 1A for the national contenders (SEC, B1G, Big 12, ACC), Div 1B for confefences that have no playoff hopes but still have regional interest, and keep the FCS for small schools with bo budgets.

[@briggsofdisaster]

NDSU and SDSU missed their opportunity. They’d rather stay a big fish in an ever shrinking pond. The Fargo Dome is trash and the tax payers don’t want to finance a new stadium.