Bears @ Shox

[BCPanther]

Of the current Valley schools, UNI and Illinois State are the only two that could move to FBS and have a legitimate shot at being competitive.

Missouri State would be crazy to deemphasize basketball and leave the Valley to try to play higher level football. They didn't have the money to buy out Terry Allen's last year and they only pay him $108k. How could you reasonably expect to compete with 8k fans and a coach you're paying peanuts to.

[ValleyFAN]

The primary reason for a move for Missouri State is to get a seat at the table and get to the FBS level. At some point in the future you hope that you are invited into an even more attractive league if there is success. It takes time, yes, but with all the realignment that occurs it could happen. Look at Western Kentucky. MVFC, moved up, initially struggled in the Sun Belt, now is headed to CUSA. (a definite step up for them, even though CUSA is not what is once was).

Some people on here, and rightfully so, only look at things from a basketball mindset. And there are even many MSU fans who oppose a move up because of the fear it would downgrade basketball. In these times, if a university wants to make a name for itself, it must be done through bowl division football. Regardless of whether or not you are playing Troy and Arkansas State, or Alabama and LSU, it is a move up. Period. Missouri State has a president who is apparently committed moving up in football, and sooner rather than later.

Yes the football program has struggled. But yes, they have also not received financial or institutional support either. The commitment to renovating and expanding the stadium is a step in the right direction, and it is a hope of many MSU fans that an improved atmosphere will help interest and attendance. And yes, I do also think that Springfield WOULD show more to watch FBS level Arkansas State or Troy play as opposed to FCS level SDSU or Western Illinois.

[Ricardo del Rio]

If SWOMO makes the move to the Sun Belt they couldn't care less about their attendance. They will be entirely subsized by the BCS programs. Non-BCS FBS programs have been to known to get $1 million and more for playing 1 guarantee game.

One million is going to cover the annual cost of a football program?

Have I got that right?

[Ricardo del Rio]

Moderators,

Please rename this thread to "Field of Gauzy Dreamy Dreams."

Thank you.

[Wufan]

The primary reason for a move for Missouri State is to get a seat at the table and get to the FBS level.

Yes, a move to the Sunbelt would afford MSU a seat at the grown-ups table, but that seat is where the weird 32 year old cousin that lives with his parents sit. You don't want to be THAT guy!

[squirrel]

UConn was a pretty crappy I-AA and FCS program. They also weren't really a very good basketball program until 1990. Many of their own fans questioned the football move when they made it in the late 1990's.

Football controls so much, if MSU has the opportunity, they'd be foolish to pass it up.

You are committing to 10 years and losses approaching $30M in making the move, but the long-term benefit and potential will easily outweigh that initial expense, especially when you consider "sports bubble" inflation.

[bleach]

Not every MSU fan is pumped about the possibility of going "big time". Most understand that when you are pathetic at something you aren't ready to move up. Most realize that a game against UNI probably generates as much interest as a game against Ark St. Few people realize they aren't the same level.
The thing is......If you are gonna do it, it must be done now. Waiting for the MVC to implode until you jump isn't an option. The SBC may be an automatic 1 bid league in basketball but we haven't exactly experienced the benefits of the multiple bid capabilities of the MVC. Every time we deserve a bid......

[glm38]

Why so much negativity towards what is possibly just a rumor? There is no offer. There have been no confirmed talks between MSU and the SBC. At this point just idle speculation by a few MSU fans on the message board. There are similar discussions of possible moves on several other Valley message boards.

[bleach]

The conversation is "juiced" by a few who spend all day looking for "code words" that mean we are moving. I do understand the interest in the possibility but it really is just rumor and a football stadium expansion (something done by other valley schools recently).

[Wufan]

UConn was a pretty crappy I-AA and FCS program. They also weren't really a very good basketball program until 1990. Many of their own fans questioned the football move when they made it in the late 1990's.

Football controls so much, if MSU has the opportunity, they'd be foolish to pass it up.

You are committing to 10 years and losses approaching $30M in making the move, but the long-term benefit and potential will easily outweigh that initial expense, especially when you consider "sports bubble" inflation.

Did UConn move to the Sunbelt when they went to FBS?