(01-12-2019 08:14 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  To me, the landscape has never been better for G5 programs.

Tell that to G5 schools who are endlessly coach poached the moment they demonstrate football at a top tier level. And the toll it has on programs not in the inner ring. That history is showing you can "wait out" an East Carolina, Boise State, and, yes, probably a UCF, and watch them fade over time as majors take their best parts and collude with others to exclude them from better access points. Because, back then, when rights weren't all sopped up, there were better opportunities for networks to follow and pick up content along the way. Especially out east here, where there were no conferences to contend with.

There's more network money out there. Right now at least. But the cost of operations never came down. No sign it ever will, either.

It only looks better because there isn't as much obscurity at the FBS level. Back when you could live in a region and most programs only existed in news print and halftime highlight reels. More got some, but the select few have pretty much all out there.

To the point, I think just moving to six spots would shift the balance just enough. AQ or no, at least you get more skin in the game. And, really, when you exclude multiple time zones, as has happened now more than a few times, you simply damage your data. People think the CFP semi's not being on NYD is a big deal...well, why is that? Because you have teams from across the country, meaning, fans too, watching football all at one time? Tell someone from an area not represented to care about contests when no other options are on...so they can watch 4+ hour games of lower quality football? Pass.