THE DAKOTA BIG 3
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 7:32 am
I split this out of another thread. Its a topic that is gaining national attention and is certainly of regional interest. Its a hot topic. Please read and discuss:
I know, by what Im hearing from my friends at UND, that being excluded from the Dakota Big 3: NDSU, SDSU and USD, is a sore point with them. They have had good success in the Dakotas over the past 100 yrs.
Since 1965, the generally agreed upon date of the "Modern era of Football in the Dakotas", its been a whole lot different, but they should take pride in their long-term success, especially in the early half of the 20th century, and carry that with them. A team and program of their caliber should, in time, be able to become a strong mid-pack player in the Big Sky Conference, just as they were in the NCC.
The BSC is a good home for them. More than enough weak teams to keep their won/loss in balance but also a few teams that can get them some national interest. NDSU and SDSU provided that for them in the old NCC.
But the fact is, there is no room for an outsider in the Dakota Big 3. If Minnesota loses to the BISON again, NDSU doesnt get the Little Brown Jug. Its the same for UND. They no longer participate in the Dakota Football Championship with the Dakota Big 3. They are just another OOC game for the Big 3 Dakota schools will little in common since they quit in 2003.
When the Dakota Big 3: NDSU, SDSU and USD, play they are playing for the same stakes: Dakota pride, conference standing, home playoff games, national recognition, etc. The same things that made the competition great among the Dakota schools in the old NCC rolls on with the Dakota Big 3: NDSU, SDSU and USD. UND no longer shares these common traits and interests. They are out west someplace a time zone or two away.
Sure UND can brag, boast and complain, some of their stronger points by-the-way, about not being included but they would be better served trying to get something going for themselves in the BSC. They have a chance to build a great rivalry with old NCC mate UNC.
They could also get some of the Dakota flair if they developed the rivalry with University of Sioux Falls. It could serve as the Jr. Bowl and lead in to the contest between the Mighty Dakota Land Grants, the Border Marker game, as they did for years with USD. USD has since moved up into the Dakota Big 3.
This advice is wise if they do back down to the NCAA and actually gain admittance into the BSC. If they are strong and smart and dont back down, as an independent this advice is even more important.
Good luck to UND as the Big 3 Dakota schools: NDSU, SDSU and USD, march into the future in a grand competition that will capture not only the eyes of the Mighty Dakota Territories, but the eyes of the nation as well.
