Poll: Would Missouri State accept a Sun Belt invite?

[Mikovio]

Going .500 as a low rung FBS is no guarantee.
Last year all eligible teams got bids.
2020 was a mess due to Covid
In 2019 Toledo was 6-6 and didn’t get a bid.
In 2018, 4 teams didn’t receive bids:
Louisiana–Monroe (6–6)
Miami (Ohio) (6–6)
Southern Miss (6–5)
Wyoming (6–6)
In 2017 there were 3:
Buffalo (6–6)
UTSA (6–5)
Western Michigan (6–6)

[BCPanther]

Rules have changed. All 6-6 teams will be accommodated even if ESPN has to create games.

[Mikovio]

We’ll see. The created game last year was actually a replacement for a certified bowl that got canceled (San Francisco).

[BearsCountry]

The private school fans are so out of touch what matters to a large state school.

[Aces44]

Are you sure that State Schools aren’t Out of Touch with what really matters?

[PretzelDawg]

When the new era of big-time football comes along, there is no guarantee of continued bowls for the leftovers. I guess it's best to grab what you can until that time comes.

[BCPanther]

Are you sure that State Schools aren’t Out of Touch with what really matters?

Yes. Football drives the bus. It's always driven the bus. It's going to continue to drive the bus no matter how we feel about it.

[squirrel]

What is the upside of being a low level FBS program? There must be some perceived advantage. It is my understanding that they all lose money Do they lose less money than FCS programs? i don't think they get any better publicity or coverage do they?

It seems to be their goal so I assume they would jump at it. Are there other viable candidates?

I am curious to this as well. Granted, I don't have a dog in the football fight, but I don't get the advantage of moving to low-level FBS.

I would be curious the thoughts of any Western KY fan. They built their reputation and notoriety on basketball success in a basketball crazy state. Football has always taken a backseat there and will probably always will. I don't see where Western has increased their relevancy one iota, and based on the state's love of college hoops, it could be easily argued that Murray has passed them up in the Kentucky pecking order.

I can't imagine too many alums or fans get any more excited about playing Florida Atlantic or North Texas than they would Illinois State.

FBS will always be in the conversation. It's not about the quality of it or losing money. It's all about positioning. When the fallout from the superleagues shakes out, it's FBS football that will always be the first checkmark on the application. MSU could be option 150 on that list, but they'll always be on the list because that box is checked. You either have it or you don't. It's really that simple. If you want to argue about the responsibility of it, fine, but if the school isn't doing exactly what it needs to better position itself, again quality or financial viability aside, that is the very definition of not being responsible.

[Aces44]

Are you sure that State Schools aren’t Out of Touch with what really matters?

Yes. Football drives the bus. It's always driven the bus. It's going to continue to drive the bus no matter how we feel about it.

I get it, but that wasn’t really my question.

[unipanther99]

I would hate to see the Bears go, but it's an offer they would absolutely have to take if it's available for all of the reasons mentioned above.

UNI isn't in a great position to receive such an offer, but they would likely need to accept as well if it ever came up (maybe the MAC, or a new version of MWC if they get raided by Pac-12 leftovers).

All of us fans love the MVC and what we have accomplished in basketball. But basketball isn't driving the bus moving forward. Sometime soon there will be major power dynamic shift in college athletics, and with our weird mix of football and no football we just won't fit easily into anyone else's plans as a conference.