at all. If winning games was the key factor North Dakota St., Northern Illinois, ECU and other non appealing schools would get called up.

TV market size and potential is likely #1. Geography/timezone/proximity to other league schools is likely #2. Facilities and the overall school athletic "resume" #3. Budget and ability for athletic programs to remain viable and successful at that level #4. And then... If youve happened to have had success that ends up being the cherry on top.

Hence the reason Rutgers, Maryland, Colorado have all been invited to prestigious conferences yet their programs are awful. Meanwhile Boise is and will forever be stuck despite continually winning season after season.