First CONTROVERSIAL FCS Topic....(From 2007 Archives)

[Cap'n Cat]

Big Sky: One Team Conference?

I happen to think so, but not from a Montana-smackin' position. The rest of teh institutions need to pull up their jocks and give that team a run before we have to put asterisks next to those consecutive playoff appearances numbers.


Talk among yourselves..........The Griz - bullies on the block or big bear in small woods?

[NDSUFREAK]

I am actually hoping that PSU comes up big this year and maybe pulls out the upset win for the conference. I may be dreaming but it could work.

[MrTitleist]

We're the bullies of the block, man. We've been beating on Big Sky teams since Boise and Idaho left. And actually, Idaho would still be our whipping boy if they had the sack to play us. And they definitely wouldn't come to Missoula even though our stadium holds more than theirs. MSU will probably make it's yearly end of the year run (after losing to Dixie St.) and go after the playoffs once again this year. PSU figures to be a powerhouse this year, but they're gonna need a couple of years before they're a legit contender to the Big Sky title. Once Glanville gets his guys in there, they'll be a pretty top notch team. Assuming he doesn't run off by then, of course (ala Dennis Erickson). I'm betting the top 3 in the Big Sky will be pretty competitive this year, and the rest will just fill themselves in.

[Fresno St. Alum]

We need a special room in here for DaveK and Mpls if they join this site.

[WYOBISONMAN]

A dog fight in the Big Sky would be entertaining to see.

[BobbyMo]

After having spent some time in SoDak, i really would like to see a shootout out there. No matter how it shakes out, its a fun conference to follow, even being on the East Coast

[PSUVikings]

As of this moment yes Montana dominates the conference, are we a one team conference? No! I'd take PSU, MSU, and (hopefully good soon) EWU over many teams in other conferences. I think in the next few years PSU will contend with UM, give it 3-4 years, granted Mouse and Jerry stick around that long. EWU once was the big boy of the conference, only 3 years ago. So no we are not a one team conference.

[Peems]

As of this moment yes Montana dominates the conference, are we a one team conference? No! I'd take PSU, MSU, and (hopefully good soon) EWU over many teams in other conferences. I think in the next few years PSU will contend with UM, give it 3-4 years, granted Mouse and Jerry stick around that long. EWU once was the big boy of the conference, only 3 years ago. So no we are not a one team conference.

half true. during that time they only beat the griz once and shared the title with the griz and the cats a few years. plus the griz still made the playoffs all those years. The Griz will still be the big boy of the conference until either of these two things happen A) the griz have a losing season B) don't make win the conference or make the playoffs for consecutive years.

[MM7CAT]

So in 2002, 2003, and 2005 when MSU beat the friz you were still the "big boys" in the BSC? I guess it makes those wins that much more impressive. BTW, and correct me if I am wrong, but in 02' and 03' we had the same conference record only we won the tiebreaker because we beat you those years. You call that dominating the BSC? It seems to me that MSU is holding up their end of the deal, it's the other teams in the BSC that need to quit soiling the sheets when playing the friz.

[catbob]

For the most part, I would say that the Big Sky is a one-team conference, simply because UM is usually the only team who makes noise in the playoffs. The problem is the other Sky teams rarely get to host playoff games when they make it in. The other teams have had some decent success in the playoffs, but no one on a consistent basis and no one has made it to the semifinals in years, correct me if I am wrong.

The BSC is not a weak conference, but from a playoff perspective, UM is clearly #1 with a few smatterings from the other teams once in a while. MSU is getting there, 3 playoff trips in the last 5 years, but only one victory in there. We shall see if Ash can keep momentum building - we know the fans are excited, as season tickets have already sold out at record pace.

[MrTitleist]

For the most part, I would say that the Big Sky is a one-team conference, simply because UM is usually the only team who makes noise in the playoffs. The problem is the other Sky teams rarely get to host playoff games when they make it in. The other teams have had some decent success in the playoffs, but no one on a consistent basis and no one has made it to the semifinals in years, correct me if I am wrong.

The BSC is not a weak conference, but from a playoff perspective, UM is clearly #1 with a few smatterings from the other teams once in a while. MSU is getting there, 3 playoff trips in the last 5 years, but only one victory in there. We shall see if Ash can keep momentum building - we know the fans are excited, as season tickets have already sold out at record pace.

I think the Furman game did wonders for MSU last year.. handled an east coast team with authority.. good win for the program. The App. State game coulda been better, but it was close for quite a while.

[catbob]

I still have nightmares about Jefferson throwing that pick into double coverage while running backwards...

[ChickenMan]

The Big Sky members other than Montana.. need to step it up come playoff time. The BSC playoff mark minus Montana is very subpar.. indicating that the conference has never really recovered from the loss of quality programs like Idaho, Boise St and Nevada.

[BigApp]

The Big Sky members other than Montana.. need to step it up come playoff time. The BSC playoff mark minus Montana is very subpar.. indicating that the conference has never really recovered from the loss of quality programs like Idaho, Boise St and Nevada.

since we're being 'controversial' with this thread

CM, that very well could be because the vast majority of UM's playoff games have been at HOME, whereas the rest of the teams seem to get sent on the road much more often.

I could be wrong on that second part though...

[skinny_uncle]

Big Sky: One Team Conference?

I happen to think so, but not from a Montana-smackin' position. The rest of teh institutions need to pull up their jocks and give that team a run before we have to put asterisks next to those consecutive playoff appearances numbers.


Talk among yourselves..........The Griz - bullies on the block or big bear in small woods?

Good to see the Cap'n is alive and well.

[Ibanez]

Big Sky: One Team Conference?

I happen to think so, but not from a Montana-smackin' position. The rest of teh institutions need to pull up their jocks and give that team a run before we have to put asterisks next to those consecutive playoff appearances numbers.


Talk among yourselves..........The Griz - bullies on the block or big bear in small woods?

Clearly, CLEARLY! They are a bully onthe Block. I've got the Griz going #1. Call it female..er male intuition. But I see's it.

[MSUGrad]

Without considering what Eastern Kentucky was to the old 1-AA classification's selection committees, one would be remiss to not take note of the similarities. Both schools have the same number of playoff appearances, title appearances and wins in the title game. Care to bet whether or not the copper, gold and silver clad will enter the season ranked in the top five? One would assume many schools ADs or SIDs are voting in a knee jerk reaction as that is the only name recognition school from the sky conference on the east coast.

A few 7-4 records and a few more first and second round home field losses coupled with teams such as EWU beating the top seed such as Southern Illinois will go a long way toward restoring some of the conference's glory days of old when Idaho, Nevada and Boise State were members of the conference. It's more than a mere coincidence the team being discussed has won or shared the conference title every year since Boise State and Idaho left. The sky is only a hollow shell of what it once was, but the MSU Bobcats appear to have pulled their program up by their bootstraps. Here's hoping Portland State has a few decent runs along with Weber State in order to restore some of the conference's lost reputation as a viable football conference.

[AZGrizFan]

Without considering what Eastern Kentucky was to the old 1-AA classification's selection committees, one would be remiss to not take note of the similarities. Both schools have the same number of playoff appearances, title appearances and wins in the title game. Care to bet whether or not the copper, gold and silver clad will enter the season ranked in the top five? One would assume many schools ADs or SIDs are voting in a knee jerk reaction as that is the only name recognition school from the sky conference on the east coast.

A few 7-4 records and a few more first and second round home field losses coupled with teams such as EWU beating the top seed such as Southern Illinois will go a long way toward restoring some of the conference's glory days of old when Idaho, Nevada and Boise State were members of the conference. It's more than a mere coincidence the team being discussed has won or shared the conference title every year since Boise State and Idaho left. The sky is only a hollow shell of what it once was, but the MSU Bobcats appear to have pulled their program up by their bootstraps. Here's hoping Portland State has a few decent runs along with Weber State in order to restore some of the conference's lost reputation as a viable football conference.

What's funny about this is most other teams in the BSC cream their jeans at a 7-4 record, beating their chests and demanding a playoff slot. Griz fans would be slitting their throats if the Griz went 7-4.

[AppGuy04]

This has been discussed numerous times and we always have the same conclusion. Big Sky and especially Montana fans say no, everyone else says yes, or atleast the majority do. I tend to agree with the majority. The more striking difference with Montana is not in conference vs OOC, its away vs home record. They are a mediocre team on the road, and the teams they do beat away from Missoula could essentially be beat by DII teams, oh wait, Montana St, supposedly the 2nd best team in the Big Sky DID lose to a DII last year

[catbob]

This has been discussed numerous times and we always have the same conclusion. Big Sky and especially Montana fans say no, everyone else says yes, or atleast the majority do. I tend to agree with the majority. The more striking difference with Montana is not in conference vs OOC, its away vs home record. They are a mediocre team on the road, and the teams they do beat away from Missoula could essentially be beat by DII teams, oh wait, Montana St, supposedly the 2nd best team in the Big Sky DID lose to a DII last year

And beat Colorado and spanked Furman, your point?

Oh and we also shut out that mighty PSU squad everyone thinks so highly of.

[MSUGrad]

The name of the thread: "First Controversial FCS Topic" implies the author of the thread knew this would illicit more than a few passionate responses. For the record, has the conference powerhouse won a single playoff game other than their two national championships outside of Missoula?

Again, this team appears to be the only school the rest of the country's ADs and SIDs are aware of except for Montana State last year. But again, they'll enter the season ranked in the top five and wind up with a very favorable seed come playoff time.

[cats2506]

OK so the question really is what is the big sky without UM
I used the data from the SME top 25 poll to see how the conferences ranked

BSC ranks 4th, with 5 teams getting votes.

Conference Teams Votes
Colonial 9 1381
Gateway 5 1291
Southern 5 1043
Big Sky 5 836
Great West 4 741
Ohio Valley 4 330
Southland 6 323
Mid Eastern 4 175
Big South 2 121
Ivy 4 111
Pioneer 1 79
Patriot 3 43
Southwestern 3 23
Northeast 1 3


UM had 441 votes so if I subtract that it gives the BSC 395 votes and BSC would ranke 5th without UM, losing one spot.

This doesn’t prove anything but thought it was interesting.

I agree that the BSC isn’t what it once was but it is still a contender even without UM

[putter]

The overall topic is a double edged sword. The objective is to get home playoff games, isn't it? How many games has App played away from home in the playoffs the last 2 years? So do we put an asterisk because you have not played on the road? I didn't think so. If you are on the road for the playoffs, generally you are a weaker team travelling to a stronger team so the winning percentage should be lower. Montana has been the dominant program however there have been quality teams and there are good teams in the Big Sky every year. I think the problem was pointed out by both Weber coach McBride when he was hired and Glanville when he was hired at PSU. Both said that their goal is to beat Montana... Until the mentality changes that the Montana game is not Big Sky teams super bowl and the playoffs are the goal Montana will appear to be the only quality team in the Big Sky.

[BigApp]

How many games has App played away from home in the playoffs the last 2 years?

Two, to be exact.

[catbooster]

... If you are on the road for the playoffs, generally you are a weaker team travelling to a stronger team so the winning percentage should be lower...

Only true for the top 4 teams. The rest of the matchups (half of the first round) are based primarily on money, and also regional, travel, etc. I don't think we were ranked higher than Furman last year, and Montana has certainly hosted a number of higher ranked teams in the playoffs.

... Montana has been the dominant program however there have been quality teams and there are good teams in the Big Sky every year...

I agree. I think the perception is all Montana because they have been very consistently good. Other teams in the conference beat them. They have not won the conference title outright a number of times in recent years, and have not been the autobid. But since it has been different teams beating them and no one doing it consistently, those teams are viewed as having an unusually good year and/or Montana having a down year.