Today, the news broke that Idaho would be dropping down to FCS level and joining the Big Sky Conference for football (they are already a member for other sports). This move is not entirely unexpected, and as I've argued elsewhere, is probably the best move for them to make.

So why do we at USF care? After all, Idaho is not on our schedule. We aren't in the same conference with them, and their chances of joining the AAC were always remote.

Idaho is on other schools' schedules, however. Boston College is one, and as BC Interruption points out, their move will have a knock-on effect. Some of the teams that have Idaho on the schedule right now also have a current FCS school scheduled the same year. Only one FCS game counts for bowl eligibility, and very few teams are interested in playing a game that won't help them get a bowl. I'd expect to see some of those schools drop Idaho, and other schools drop other FCS opponents. Both types of moves will open up game slots -- not just for the FCS schools, but also for the FBS teams dropping them. They will be looking for opponents. Might USF be able to get some of those games? Will some other schools drop a current opponent to pick up a tougher one who is dropping Idaho or an FCS school?

Furthermore, there are some schools who might not be interested in playing Idaho as an FCS school, even if there is no other FCS school. SportsNOLA is reporting that LSU can drop an FCS Idaho with no penalty if they wish. There may be others with similar contracts, and even if not, other FBS opponents may not want to play Idaho as an FCS team, especially if they can pay another FCS team less.

In addition, Idaho may not be the only school dropping down. UMass and New Mexico State University are in similar situations to Idaho, with weak programs and few chances to join a conference. Louisiana-Monroe and perhaps even Louisiana (-Lafayette) are farily securly in conferences, but are facing some serious state funding issues that may have their schools taking a hard look at athletics. ULM already has one of the lowest athletics budgets in FBS, and if they have to slash their athletics budget it's hard to see how they can stay FBS.

Any further schools dropping to FCS will magnify the scheduling issues above. Futhermore, if one or both of the Louisiana schools drops, there will be a position or two open in the Sun Belt, which might prompt some movement the other way: FCS schools would be the likely replacements.