There has been a lot of talk recently regarding UND’s conference situation moving forward to 2012, the first year UND is eligible for postseason play. At Siouxsports.com, there is an interesting discussion going on right now regarding choices for conferences. So the question is this: If given both opportunities, which scenario would you like to see UND in? The Big Sky Conference for all sports or The Summit League/MVFC setup that NDSU and SDSU have?
We may be wrong, but with the impending shakeup of the FBS power conferences and then the trickle down effect that will follow, UND may be timing this thing up just about right. We all know the nickname situation is holding up the admission to the Summit League, which is a 99.99% lock. This does not include Football though. That delay may work in UND’s favor in that another/different conference opportunity may present itself in the next 6 months due to the previously mentioned FBS shakeup. Could it be in the Big Sky, which offers a home for all sports? Could it be in the Summit/MVFC? There have been rumblings among coaches in the MVFC that they need to move to a 12 team-Two Tier conference to be able to gobble up more playoff spots like the CAA is doing annually.
This distance is obviously an issue when it comes to the Big Sky. Charter planes would need to be booked for all road trips. At 80-100k a pop, that would get very expensive for the football team. This option is only available if Montana decides to leave to play in the WAC.
The Summit is great for all sports but football. As we mentioned before, if UND joins the Summit, it would need the MVFC to decide to move to a 12 team conference.
Anything is possible after the FBS shakeup takes place. We actually like the spot UND is in right now because they have not committed to any conference, in any sport. It gives us hope that something will appear once the dust settles. Lets hope Mr. Faison is keeping tabs on all that is going on at the FBS level to make sure we are ready if an surprising option presents itself.
