It’s free tickets and toomey level attendance accuracy. There are less than 2,500 seats in that thing.

I appreciate your take. Well informed and logical. I agree with much of it too. I am happy staying in the FCS and trying to win a championship in the next few years, growing the national profile of the school and also building momentum. I also just think we realistically will probably need to move to the Mountain West in between moving to play a Cal or Stanford. I know they are not “elite” but whether I personally think they are ridiculous for thinking they are or not, they spend a heck of a lot more money on sports than the mountain west, and a ton more than big sky schools. I don’t want to just spend a billion dollars on football or sports in general, but I think that by 2030 by ramping up fan support, donations, budget, etc and trying to reach the mountain west for football after hopefully some success in the FCS playoffs (past the cursed quarterfinals) is a good move for the future of the program.

It’s also really hard to mess with the tv numbers when almost all your games are on espn+ and the national outlets don’t say a peep about your level of football most of the year. Heck, last year they were STILL screwing up the names and logos of FCS teams on graphics and posts. I 100% agree with you that we could become way more relevant if we can compete year in and year out in the FCS championships, but I also think looking forward needs to (and the timeframe I am more flexible) include that step to the mountain west to prepare us to be in the strongest position when realignment comes again.

I agree with much of what you say about the illogical reality of modern college football, it’s absolutely ridiculous, but I also still see being in the mountain west for ALL sports as aligning our athletics department.

Thank you for being so awesome to talk football about btw Gabe :)

Yikes. Hard pass.

it could be the MAC is desperate:

https://www.wtol.com/article/sports/local-sports/toledo-mac-football-attendance-financial-impact/512-7e89288c-8e89-4e4b-b4eb-9051d4ab609a

Who knew UMASS was in the MAC?

You drew great numbers against regional opponents with fan bases that will travel to watch. You will not have this in the MAC. Montana brings way more people to a game than Bowling Green or Toledo ever will. In NorCal almost all Big Sky teams have greater name recognition than any MAC school. Nobody outside of Upper Michigan and Ohio are drawn to see these teams.
I honestly wish you luck, but Woods took any move to FBS vs waiting for the right move.

I think the SJSU renovation was spot-on what they needed and looks great. They adjusted to the reality of their situation.

I work with UCLA alums and they are already planning a trip with me for when we play them. This is what happens when we play consistently “better” programs.

It's all about a foot in the door at this point. Before a 5 or 10 year moratorium on new FBS schools hits.

Again, I hear a lot of people talking about where fans will come from, why the MW would have more fans actually show up. Look at the attendance averages for MW teams compared to Big Sky teams (across the board in sports but especially football). People care more, show up more, and invest more in programs in the MW then in the Big Sky overall. I think it would bring more energy to Aggie Stadium if we are in a conference with more engaged fan bases.

I think its a hell of a lot easier to get people to come to games to watch UNR or SJSU then to watch Utah Tech or Portland State. With Sac leaving the Big Sky, the MW has more teams within our proximity in the conference. Easier to travel to, renewed and new rivalries, and schools that actually invest in athletics. I know the MW teams are not the biggest FBS names, but obviously are way more exciting and recognizable than much of the FCS (and easier to understand what level of football they play in lol).

The MW also provides better environments for Aggie fans to travel to and watch games. The very worst stadiums and attendance #'s in the MW are better than almost every single Big Sky team.

I love playing Montana State and Montana but a good chunk of the Big Sky doesn't have the draw or name recognition, much less the larger FCS. I would rather take the risk and join the MW to position ourselves with more aligned brands then tread water and hope that we eventually get to merge or something with the g6.

I know individual experience doesn't decide moves, but I know many alum, students and family members that would be more motivated to go to games against MW schools.

Yeah I was this today too! I found it encouraging, especially considering the #'s we are getting while still being in the FCS. We averaged 12,991 fans per game last season for home. I think we could get that number up with a move to the MW at the very least to the levels around Nevada or NDSU. Adding the new premium seating that is already planned + additional bleachers or a filling in of the berm could get us there pretty easily.

TY!

I didn’t make it last night. First day feeling normal after a bout with an intestinal bug. Thought it best to stay home. My wife said missing the game would probably mean a great win! Every little bit helps.

I hope the women have enough left in the tank to take down the Beach on the road.

The cat is out of the bag, as they say

Whew - that was some game! I wasn't sure fatigue wouldn't do us in but OMG the women just kept the effort up. Norris had a horrid shooting night - except for those 3s toward the end when they were needed. She did great vacuuming up the rebounds, though. And the John Havlicek award has to go to Baker. She came in, jump started things, made some key buckets, got hands in for steals, and eventually fouled out but a huge effort. Do you think they know who John Havlicek was?

Wish there were more people there.

I salute the solitary band member who stood for the national anthem.

Jumping right into the fire opening the season at Texas. It would be amazing to snag a win against one of the best baseball programs in the nation.

Ouch. Total butt kick.

Men's game is a dumpster fire, but the women's game just entered 3OT!

on this note…I bought a tickets for a Tennessee game last year from a 3rd party app a few moths before the game and early during that game week I received an email from one of Development Officers at UTK asking who/what/when/where/why I bought tickets…as below:

We’re excited to welcome you to Neyland Stadium as the Vols take on Vanderbilt!

My name is Mike Nguyen, and I serve as a Development Officer in the Tennessee Fund. I have the privilege of working with Tennessee donors and season ticket holders who are passionate about supporting the Vols.

Since you’ve secured tickets for this game, I’d love to learn about your connection to Tennessee and discuss how you can become more involved with Tennessee Athletics – whether that’s through season tickets, premium seating, or increasing your engagement through philanthropic giving in our Shareholders Society.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Go Big Orange!

Two sides to this - they have more resources to email every single game ticket purchaser to every game but they also attempt to cultivate the casual fan into a donating fan. Ive even seen this in Berkeley. I’ve not seen this when I’ve bought UCD tickets.

My point is, along with not marketing in our nearby population centers (Sac), we do not seem to be doing much to get money from anyone who isn’t already giving money. If we did, I think we’d be even more incredibly funded across ICA and maybe we’d still have an equestrian team.

it’s because there is ZERO marketing in Sac. Plenty of Sac St. stuff, but we don’t spend a dime up in Sac to market athletics across the Causeway. Seems like a little dime could go a long ways.

Its because we've historically drawn around 4,000-6,000 non-students/band/player family for a majority of games since 2006.

Some on here might argue that number is lower.

Attendance has been increasing steadily since 2003 though, which is great. Program improvements can be attributed to this, for sure. Things are headed in the right direction.

D2 Toomey ~6k avg.--> D1 Great West @ Aggie Stadium ~8k avg.---> D1 Big Sky @ Aggie Stadium ~10k avg.

Idk why everyone is questioning attendance when Davis broke their attendance last season with 17k fans in attendance… In a 10k seat stadium… playing a FCS team. Attendance will be fine when the move up happens in a couple years. As long as the on field product is good, people will be interested. The admins still have work to do to make the game day experience and advertising up to par.

Anyone responding please add what needs to be done to make it work, not why it won’t work. We should always try to add what needs to be improved instead of why it won’t work. It’s fine to be realistic about things not being great now but the school is moving in the right direction.

It would mean a lot if folks who go update those who can’t in the board about the event :)

Less than 20 spots still available so get off the fence and purchase. There are two items on an early bird silent auction (one is great for out of town football game visitors). Other auction items will go live using the link below soon, running through the event. Sign up below and bid using link here:

https://paybee.io/quickpay.html?handle=ucdfootball#campaignList

I don't see a mention of FBS as a goal; it is more of a statement of fact:

"In today's evolving college football landscape, opportunities at the Football Bowl Subdivision level continue to grow. With this extension, DeLuca, the athletic department and Plough have reaffirmed their shared commitment to the long-term success of Aggie football on the national stage."

I am fired-up that Plough was extended and it's positive news coming out of Davis during the doldrums of pre-Spring Football. I share RollOn's perspective though that the statement was a hype piece; a combination of hyperbole and vision casting without much meat on the bone aside from the fact that Plough will be driving the ship as long as he wants to, which I think we are all behind in support.

4.5 point underdogs with BetMGM giving Triton’s a 60% chance of covering the spread. Loss at home was tough. Up 6 at half in a defensive struggle; lose giving up 55 in the second half. That second half they looked as good as anyone offensively with their motion and passing leading to great shots.

I remember a couple years back (2024) when they walloped us at home (92-59) with starters in late raining down 3’s and having a good old time doing so. We went back there and beat them in a tough rematch, a game in the 70’s. Hopefully history repeats. I really disliked Bryce Pope and his short-shorts after that first game!

I’ve written quite a few media releases and this isn’t an admission of anything. It’s the typical big dreams and big words format to make it sound like something, at least is terms of the future of the programs status.

Love signing Plough….would also love to see the contract terms which I believe would tell us a LOT more than a glossy statement about a contract.

Personal commitment and program stability. Hard to find in college athletics these days.

We’re lucky to have him.

Signed Steph Curry jersey is bound to be a hot item also.

(Link to the podcast where he talks about this)

Some great stuff was talked about from Sam Herder who I see as the most credible FCS/G5 reporter):
1. He sees us as one of 3 teams that will move to the FBS (Sac State, Tarleton, UC Davis)
2. He talks about NDSU moving as important because it situates them as a member of the FBS for now, and promises them a seat if the power 4 separates from the g5
3. He talks about how there is a chance that the g5 merges with the top of the FCS, but the g5 could also try and keep fcs teams out of that new level of division if the power 4 split happens (with the g5 teams not wanting to water down their already relegated new league)
4. Sees the NDSU move (and any FBS move) to give teams head starts in recruiting, infrastructure, positioning if a power 4 split happens that teams still in the FCS wont have
6. Does not see Montana State and Montana, SDSU or other Dakota schools moving to the FBS soon
5. Sees UC Davis as one of those teams that could fill the hole with NDSU leaving (at least before UC Davis moves)

His analysis really suggests to me that UC Davis to the Mountain West is likely not a matter of if it happens but a matter of a few years.

until 2031. Boom! https://x.com/i/status/2021678123289338162