NIU TO MWC

[Bullmastiff 1]

NIU has had an offer on the table now for a few days. I saw some Twitter chatter that a decision is imminent and NIU seems to be on the way to the MWC. Obviously nothing confirmed yet and haven't seen it from any national media yet.

If this happens I think it's a very good addition for the MWC.

It opens the doors for some other Easter or Central time zone schools to jump on board.

After looking at all the possible realistic options out there I think these could all be in play.

1- NDSU Football only. Would be an excellent addition. They actually do solid TV numbers for an FCS schools.
2- Toledo Football only. Pretty solid MAC program and gives NIU at least one travel partner. (Although for FB only not nearly as important.
3- The two Montana schools and South Dakota State would basically corner those markets. Small markets to be sure but you would have them locked down.

I do think MWC would be wise to have enough teams to play 9 conference games and 3 OOC games and have a conference title game. Committee spokesperson said the 'valued conference champions'.

UNLV
SJSU
WYO
UNM
RENO
AFA
HAWAII
UTEP
NIU -FB only
NDSU- FB only

Gives you 10.

Adding Montana schools an even 12 and a conference title game. CFP spokesperson came out last week saying they valued conference championships in their seedlings.

Thoughts, Stay at 9? 10? go to 12? I think 12 would be max..

 

[dcut03]

A couple of things.

You don't need a conference championship game for a conference champion.

You don't need a minimum amount of teams for a conference championship anymore.

Here is a article talking about the PAC considering a Championship game regardless of the amount of teams they have

Jon Wilner: New Pac-12 considering a conference title game for 2026, beyond

San Diego State’s new league will consider hosting a title game at home, neutral sites — or could opt against having one at all

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Adding ndsu as a football only is a little weird, usually it is the other way around like the whole UCD addition. Elevating a football school has that 5 mil price tag and other requirements. Not sure if they are ready to go right now or not.

NIU adds the Midwest and the central time zones and they would need a partner, but I dont think adding them and a partner increases media share money it may keep us the same, but an addition like NDSU would probably drop value. Not a ton of eyeballs there. I mean look at those schools media value currently.

Staying put reduces conference games which would be a good thing considering that any team hopeful of the playoff would likely need better competition than the conference games alone. 1 fewer conference game could help boost the overall SOS.

 

[Meister_Rebel]

They will probably have to make two announcements. One for football to the MW and the other for all other sports going to another conference. If they aren't coming then it's just one simple announcement.

I hope Gloria made them an offer they couldn't refuse.