(02-24-2018 11:12 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  Why wouldn't the Big Sky then grab schools from the WAC like Seattle U UVU CBU GCU?

It certainly is a risk, but I would suspect the Big Sky wans to keep its focus as a FCs conference. Part of it will depend if Eastern Washington flies the coop, as that likely cuts out Seattle. Cal Baptist will have no advantage over Azusa Pacific other than having started the transition out of Division II sooner, but CBU doesn’t sponsor football. Weber State will not want Utah Valley, which not that long ago was a junior college. Grand Canyon might have some support (Northern Arizona, Southern Utah), but the for-profit stigma and lack of football get in the way.

Azusa Pacific throws Sacramento State a bone by giving them an in-state opponent, and it helps Northern Arizona as well, and they play football. I could also see Dixie State get consideration as they would be near the geographic center of the conference, and have good facilities, perhaps better than some current Big Sky members.