I think the most realistic path to moving up is (a) UCD goes on an extreme (read NDSU/EWU) run of success with Hawkins over the next 3-5 years, garnering fan/administrative support and media attention; and (b) an existing member of one of the conferences drops out or is booted (read SJSU). That's our route in, and it's not entirely unlikely. But moving up is several steps away (though it is fun to dream big).

PS I think getting into the PAC (whatever number) would require demonstrated success in another FBS conference for many years. Even then, what would be their incentive to add us?

Forget 2014. How about 2005 (mid-transition to FCS)? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nnY_ksDxh8

First, I love the reversion to the old CA logo that used to be on the baseball caps.

Second, @DrMike, according to this site http://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=401012747, we have a 1.2% chance. That's better odds than Lloyd Christmas had with Mary Swanson.

This is a huge loss in many ways. Jason was one of the older players when I arrived in camp, and he was one of the most athletic and intense players I've ever been around. I even had my shoulder separated by Jason while on the scout team - he could bring the wood. His business successes were truly astounding and I enjoyed keeping up on him. Thoughts and prayers for his family.

This article is unkind https://www.rgj.com/story/sports/college/nevada/2018/08/31/1-000-words-mountain-west-needs-do-something-san-jose-state/1158736002/

I hope SJSU can turn it around and prove the author wrong. Would love UCD (not UTSA as the author suggests) to get a shot at SJSU's spot in the MWC is it comes available, but we're a few years (and many $$'s as @OldAggie points out) away from being ready. Would hate o miss the timing.

The guys over at Hero Sports are high on the Ags... https://herosports.com/fcs/football-uc-davis-defeats-san-jose-state-bzbz

Okay. Enough dancing in the endzone. Time to focus on USD. That has trap game written all over it - a playoff team last year.

Pac12 is a nice long-term dream, but MWC would be excellent for a while. Imagine regional rivalries with Fresno St. and UNR. Could finally get the greater Sac area to support the Ags. I have to think a guy like Blue has a plan around this.

If SJSU shuts down football, then maybe we can slide right into their spot in the Mountain West. How's that for getting ahead of yourself after one game?

No it's cool @CA Forever, you just send a few bucks to a Nigerian prince and then you get the stream.

I think radio silence from the team and limited media coverage makes absolute sense. This is the first winnable FBS game we've had in some time. It would be huge for SoS later in the year if the team is in the playoff hunt. I'm sure our veteran coaches have been scheming this game for a very long time and are sharp enough not to tip our hand at all. This is a big one and I am very optimistic.

Hi guys - haven't participated in a while, but have been watching. I'll be at the game Saturday, hoping we come away with a "W." My 2 cents are that we need to improve o-line and d-line. Can't run without the o-line, and our d-line seems to get very little pressure on opposing QBs without blitzes. And those are position groups that require (a) recruiting and (b) time to improve. I'll give Hawk and his staff benefit of the doubt and time given we are in year 1. But those are priority positions in my mind. Also agree the play-calling is still a bit rough around the edges. Nonetheless, I remain confident that we will "get there."

This is a transition year, and we've lost two in a row to very good teams. It's time for Hawk to shift these players' paradigm - they are used to losing. Learning how to win and not fold the tent is a learned skill.

Well men, around 24 hours before gametime. Time to see if the new staff has taught this team how to forget the last game and forge ahead. A really great test of mettle tomorrow. North Dakota is going to bring all they have - their season so far has turned out disastrously different than they expected. I expect a dog fight. GO AGS.

That is was a turd in the lunch bowl. Nothing to do but move on, learn from it and pretend it didn't happen.

We'll see how this group reacts to getting punched in the mouth

How low is UNR ranked if they lost to Idaho State last week.

I was no fan of Gould as a head coach, but that is really misplaced anger to call out Gould for stanfords slide this year. That's on the coordinators, HC and the fact that you're dealing with a group of 18-22 year olds.

Wow @DrMike. I wasn't at that game and honestly by last year I wasn't following all that closely. What a gut punch. And @movielover, I totally agree. You could tell by the players' body language and posture before games that they were just not up for the game. Oh well - like childbirth, let's just make that era a suppressed memory and keep our eyes on what is shaping up to be a bright future.

Great post @SochorField. It's a bit early to declare that we are "back: I think, but we are clearly headed in the right direction and finally have the university's support. It has been maddening to watch NDSU, SDSU, UND and other teams we competed with regularly in the D2 era leave our program in the dust this past decade. That is changing now, but one week at a time. If we can win this week that will be a very good sign.

Not sure how much of their team carries over from last year, but we only lost to them 35-38 in the Field Gould era. I didn't catch any of the Sac State game, but I watched a lot of the first half of the Cal game, in which Weber held a 20-17 lead at halftime (before losing 33-20). I think both teams are improved.