Griz Nation sighs with relief

News that the University of Montana Grizzlies will stay with the Big Sky Conference and the Football Championship Series should be greeted with a sigh of relief and big cheers.

UM’s new president, Royce Engstrom, announced the decision to stay last week, saying he wanted to maintain the prestige and integrity the football program has built over time, and to preserve the cross-state rivalry with Montana State University, which he described as being essential to the state’s cultural fabric.

The 110th meeting of the Bobcats and Grizzlies approaches this weekend, and the importance of the game will be as great as ever. While the Bobcats are almost sure to advance to the FCS playoffs, the Grizzlies may depend on a win over the ’Cats for a playoff berth this year.

And with 12-straight post-season runs, the playoffs have become an important, much anticipated part of Grizzly football, another reason it was crucial to stay in the FCS.

The alternative of moving to the Western Athletic Conference and the Football Bowl Subdivision would have been unbearable. Griz Nation would be faced with the possibility of becoming just another lower tier team, with nothing to shoot for other than a lowly conference championship and maybe an appearance in some obscure bowl game.

No more exciting, extended season campaigns. No more appearances in national championship games. Boo!

“At this time, FCS football presents the best overall fit for the University, it provides our student-athletes and fans with a great experience, and it is consistent with the strategic direction of the University,” Engstrom said.

Yay!

Engstrom didn’t mention it, but we’d say that the Big Sky Conference is nothing to sniff at. The Griz have had their hands full with stiff competition every weekend, and two conference losses this season. Rather than looking elsewhere for competition, UM is better served in being a cornerstone of a Big Sky Conference that has a future for expansion and improved competition.