with the running of the first years, there will be a big crowd to start. they stuck around last week, so hopefully that continues. They were loud initially when we got the near pick-6 followed by a quick TD. Seemed like the redzone stalls sucked the energy out of them.

stadium folk need to figure out how to get them in the stadium quickly. when i walked in about 10 minutes prior to kickoff, there was a LOOOOOOONG line of students waiting to get in.

‘ UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka has decided to sit out the rest of his undefeated team’s season because of a dispute over a $100,000 NIL payment that was promised but never paid after he agreed to transfer to the Rebels last winter, Sluka’s agent told The Associated Press on Wednesday.’


By sitting after 3 games, he didn’t burn a year of eligibility. Welcome to the new, improved college football landscape!

I guess my educated answer is ‘who knows’. I was thinking a move to FBS requires an addition of 22 football scholarships ( and a similar add/drop of womens/men’s due to title 9) BUT I forget they are changing the limit to UP TO 105 next year. There’s also increases in basketball (2), baseball (+20!), and softball (+20). I would assume only the power 4 try to hit those limits.

For a football playing school in the Big West, that change in baseball scholarships could really have a negative impact.

I remember at San Jose the last time we were there, they would play a ‘this is Sparta’ on each 3rd and 4th. I think a 3rd down ‘stop them’ sound bite is fairly common. It’s annoying when they keep converting, thus leading to the reputation.

The student seem to sing the 4th quarter song - I’d just expect something livelier. Cal played that ear worm ‘Hot to Go’ and the students were into it.

the MWC deal pays out approximately $6M to each school. With the top half of the conference leaving, I can’t imagine that going anywhere but down even with the addition of the Sac market.

the mountain west is down to 6 teams; they need to get back up to 8 to remain a conference. Preferably 9 for football scheduling (and to a lesser extent basketball, else you have more out of conference vs conference). I can’t see any AAC schools eager to join. Sunbelt? They might not have any choice but to reach out to 2-4 transitioning FCS schools. That’ll bring in the big TV bucks.

I think the head coach/play caller role is something that Plough needs to grow into. He's said its much different to call plays when you are considering what's going on with the defense - might have to slow things down to give a depleted defense a break. That's something he didn't have to worry about before, and it might be natural yet.

Some of the redzone issues aren't with the play calls, its with execution. In both the TMAC and Utah Tech game, we get first and goal from about the 1, run a neat little play for a touchdown.....and....FLAG for something silly like illegal motion or illegal formation. that HAS to stop. I'd like to see if we can get Gale involved in some type of lob pass. Or, perhaps a rub (okay, PICK) play will give our receivers a bit of separation. of course, we can bring Thompkins back into the Wildcat (and maybe toss a pass out of it?).

I thought there was a decent chance Air Force would join army and navy in the AAC. Maybe that didn’t make sense for their other sports

When we make it through an entire game with the referee’s microphone working, I’ll take this ‘move up
to the PAC’ serious. Has to be easier than getting a second deck built

agree and agree!

in his zoom meetings. He’s mentioned a couple guys dealing with broken hands, one guy with both hands taped up like two clubs. Hard to play DL with no hands. I’ll try to get the names this time

In the crowd’s defense, a couple TDS early might have kept the crowd noise level up!

toki is okay. The starting line is fine, it’s the backups that are hurting.

Dang, that’s a good number for men’s basketball!

story on the website said it was the largest crowd in program history. I didn't see the actual number. just curious what kind of attendence they had.

True, especially since it sounds like his backup was missing last week.

There were some significant real-time lineup adjustments being made just so we'd make it through the game. DL was decimated, so we were featuring some LB/DB heavy lineups more and more as the game wore on. A fact the SUU noticed and exploited with their power running.

Being at home helps -> we can suit up just about everyone and uses some solid freshmen without burning the redshirt status.

We have Utah Tech penciled in for next season. Las Vegas, then the national parks, and finally St. George for the game.

Sounds like lots of injuries on the defense. Should see a couple frosh DL getting some time. No Rex, but probably some Porter.

it is move in weekend. I thankfully booked my lodging last March - price is $100 higher now. The past couple years, they’ve been bringing the dorm kids over as part of their orientation - makes for a big, enthusiastic crowd

what do you mean ‘even Dr Mike’? I think you meant especially?!?!?

Welcome back