Idaho UPDATE: Spear Keeps Football Out of Negotiations - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

UPDATE:

Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear clarified a report Tuesday night that said he was negotiating with the Big Sky Conference to  move the Vandals out of the ailing WAC.

Spear said via Twitter:

"Despite reports at this point in time the only conversations with the Big Sky have centered around a home for our non football sports" - @Rob_Spear

The tweet seemed to clarify a conversation the Big Sky commissioner had with a reporter for The Missoulian newspaper, which revealed that the Big Sky was in negotiations with Idaho.

Previous report:

The Big Sky got a new logo. They tabbed Montana State to finish first in football this season. And now they're hoping they can get Idaho to join the conference.

Fritz Neighbor, a writer for the Missoulian, tweeted that conference commissioner Doug Fullerton is in talks with the Vandals.

"Big Sky commish Fullerton on Idaho Vandals: We're in negotiations with them, there's no doubt about it. #BigSkyFB #Griz" – @Fritz_Neighbor

The Big Sky has shown interest in Idaho since the WAC began falling apart – again – back in May. In reality, it may be Idaho's best of four options. Athletic Director Rob Spear laid out the scenarios in spring:

1. Pursue membership with another FBS conference, such as the Mountain West, Sun Belt, Conference USA or MAC.

2. Place the Idaho football program in an FBS conference and keep other sports within what is left of the Western Athletic Conference.

3. Pursue football independence.

4. Consider dropping to the Football Championship Subdivision and join a conference like the Big Sky.

As of option No. 1, the Sun Belt, led by former WAC commissioner Karl Benson, has already said no to the Vandals. No other conference has come out to express any serious interest.

Option number three is near impossible at best. Go ask BYU how hard independence can be. It's hard. Really hard.

The fourth option, joining the Big Sky, appears to be the Vandals best option. And why not? They once ruled the Big Sky before following in Big Brother's (Boise State) footsteps and jumping up to the big leagues.