There’s been a lot of talk recently about the University of Montana Grizzlies joining the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

It has been a summer of moves by many schools to new conferences. It looks like the Big Ten will have 12 teams and the Big 12 will have 10 teams and the Pac-10 will have 12 teams. Someone said on Twitter “How can I teach my young son proper math skills with what’s going on in the Big Ten and Big 12?” I hear you.

With all the moves going on, the smaller conferences were sure to follow. A few days ago, a rumor started floating across the Montana sports scene about the Montana Grizzlies possibly getting an invite to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The WAC is losing some schools. They have nine schools participating in football and are reportedly due to only have six next year. The WAC may be on its last legs, so they invited the Montana Athletic Director to Dallas where he met with their Presidents and Athletic Directors.

So the WAC needs help. They need a team like Montana – a powerhouse from the Big Sky Conference – and a perennial playoff team and a team you normally find in the Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-AA) polls.

The Montana Grizzlies don’t need the WAC.

The Griz would need to move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) (Division I-A). These are the “big dogs” with teams like Alabama, Texas, Ohio State, USC, etc.

Instead of what has become an almost annual march in late November and early December in the playoffs, the Griz (if they have a decent team) would possibly be prepping for the “Hawaii Bowl” or the “Humanitarian Bowl” or maybe the “New Mexico Bowl.” If they get lucky, the might get an invite to the famous “Poinsettia Bowl.”

Whoopee.

Basically, if a FBS team wins six games, they get a bowl invitation and some cash – a one and done scenario. No playoffs.

And, there would be no football playoff games in Missoula, Montana. Repeat, there would be no playoff games in Missoula, Montana.

Plus, with the level of competition in the FBS, there would be no National Championship runs for the football Griz if they join the WAC. You can take that to the bank.

It’s nice for the Montana Grizzlies to be considered by the WAC, but I would say “Thanks, but no thanks” if the WACky invitation is offered.