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WAC
Dec 7, 2020 16:28:07 GMT -6
jCat likes this
Post by mavsman53 on Dec 7, 2020 16:28:07 GMT -6
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WAC
Dec 7, 2020 17:05:05 GMT -6
Post by acutrackfan on Dec 7, 2020 17:05:05 GMT -6
I just posted this in another thread:
"Wow -- I must admit I am still rather surprised about this whole conversation. Will there be any other schools moving as well? That would give the WAC 7 (?) football playing schools - the SLC 4, Southern Utah, and the 2 schools moving up from D-1 -- Tarleton and Dixie State. With the latter 2 still being in transition, that only leaves 5 schools eligible for playoffs, so would the WAC get an auto bid. Will NMSU ever wise up and drop down to FCS where they can be competitive?"
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WAC
Dec 7, 2020 17:57:10 GMT -6
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Post by wildcat1997 on Dec 7, 2020 17:57:10 GMT -6
So what’s happening with football considering the WAC doesn’t sponsor it?
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WAC
Dec 7, 2020 18:19:47 GMT -6
Post by acutrackfan on Dec 7, 2020 18:19:47 GMT -6
So what’s happening with football considering the WAC doesn’t sponsor it? This would appear to be a move by the WAC to sponsor football again.
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WAC
Dec 8, 2020 9:04:37 GMT -6
Post by OscarWildeCat, Admin on Dec 8, 2020 9:04:37 GMT -6
So what’s happening with football considering the WAC doesn’t sponsor it? That’s apparently the biggest sticking point. The WAC wants to offer FCS football but the NCAA requires new conferences to have at least 6 playoff eligible teams. Tarleton and Dixie State don’t complete the transition to D1 and gain eligibility until 2024. The four Texas schools plus Southern Utah leaves the WAC one team short. The WAC is still negotiating with another school according to those who claim insider knowledge. Best guess is Northern Arizona based on geography,
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WAC
Dec 8, 2020 9:09:10 GMT -6
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Post by wildcatter on Dec 8, 2020 9:09:10 GMT -6
I’m sure UIW is scrambling.
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WAC
Dec 8, 2020 9:10:19 GMT -6
Post by OscarWildeCat, Admin on Dec 8, 2020 9:10:19 GMT -6
RE basketball. Sagarin currently ranks the WAC as the 30th best conference and the SLC as 31st. However, by dropping Chicago State and adding the new schools we know about the WAC jumps to 25th. The two laggards would be Dixie State and Tarleton, both of whom have committed to the funding necessary to improve as they complete the transition to D1. By bringing up the bottom the conference moves to better seed and maybe two bid territory.
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WAC
Dec 8, 2020 9:11:31 GMT -6
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Post by jaminthebody on Dec 8, 2020 9:11:31 GMT -6
Would UTPB be considered? Most of the UT system schools have moved to D1, and Permian Basin has made significant strides in the last few years in athletics.
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WAC
Dec 8, 2020 9:14:26 GMT -6
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Post by wildcatter on Dec 8, 2020 9:14:26 GMT -6
But would be another transition school. Seems like the hold out would be for an already established D1 program.
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WAC
Dec 8, 2020 9:20:20 GMT -6
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Post by jaminthebody on Dec 8, 2020 9:20:20 GMT -6
But would be another transition school. Seems like the hold out would be for an already established D1 program. Gotcha. That makes more sense. I don’t think GCU would add football, so I agree that NAU would be the best fit.
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WAC
Dec 8, 2020 9:41:22 GMT -6
Post by acutrackfan on Dec 8, 2020 9:41:22 GMT -6
There has been talk for years that current WAC members Grand Canyon and UT-RGV might add football, but would the SLC 4 be willing to move on some vague hope that one of the schools adds the sport. And, what happens when an existing D-1 school adds football -- do they immediately count toward the 6 schools necessary for an auto bid?
I agree with you that Northern Arizona appears to be the best possibility geographically. From a T&F standpoint, NAU is one of the top 4-5 distance running universities in the country -- a national XC champ in the recent past. In the T&F world, their name carries a lot of weight.
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WAC
Dec 8, 2020 10:31:53 GMT -6
Post by acutrackfan on Dec 8, 2020 10:31:53 GMT -6
I’m sure UIW is scrambling. I am not surprised that UIW and HBU are being left out of the WAC conversation -- their facilities are mostly sub-standard and their standing in the overall athletics world has never been that good. BUT, 1 or both of them could be the needed gateway to letting the WAC immediately receive an automatic bid.
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WAC
Dec 8, 2020 11:48:08 GMT -6
Post by mavsman53 on Dec 8, 2020 11:48:08 GMT -6
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WAC
Dec 8, 2020 15:14:02 GMT -6
Post by acutrackfan on Dec 8, 2020 15:14:02 GMT -6
In chatting with some of my CatChat friends in person on this whole WAC deal, we keep thinking that there is "something" -- some big perk out there that will accrue to ACU and the other Southland 4 that makes this a difficult offer to pass. Is is the hope of moving FBS someday (far) in the future? Is it some kind of financial incentive - but where would that come from? There just seems to be something that is just outside of this picture that makes this whole thing make sense.
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WAC
Dec 8, 2020 15:40:05 GMT -6
Post by OscarWildeCat, Admin on Dec 8, 2020 15:40:05 GMT -6
In chatting with some of my CatChat friends in person on this whole WAC deal, we keep thinking that there is "something" -- some big perk out there that will accrue to ACU and the other Southland 4 that makes this a difficult offer to pass. Is is the hope of moving FBS someday (far) in the future? Is it some kind of financial incentive - but where would that come from? There just seems to be something that is just outside of this picture that makes this whole thing make sense. My hunch is it’s more about instability of the Southland than the attractiveness of the WAC.
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