(07-16-2023 01:42 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 11:48 AM)OsageJ Wrote:  The best part of this is requiring the schools to give scholarships. FCS started going downhill when you had schools at that level could give scholarships as they wanted. Then they decided schools in D1 basketball with football up to that time in D3 had to be in FCS. No scholies though. FCS became a joke after a few top schools.

A big turning point in our fan base's opinion of moving up came in 2005 when we were ranked 5 or 6 at the end of the regular-season and ended up getting sent halfway across the country to play a stout Texas State team in the first game of the playoffs. That ended up happening because the NCAA started only seeding the top 4 seeds and all other pairings were done with regionalization. If schools don't want to fully fund the scholarships for football fine but accommodating teams that don't want to fund their programs may have sealed I-AA's fate.

Of course, there's also the fact that schools like Georgia Southern and App State wanted to invite schools like Coastal Carolina and Jacksonville State to the SoCon but the majority of the conference wanted Elon and Samford. That divorce was inevitable.

What's funny is I can remember even well before I was a college student that it was a talking point in the administration that the NCAA was going to start relegating low-level IA teams back down where they belong. And all the migration has gone in the opposite direction to the point FBS could grow to over 140 teams. The "P5 breakaway" theory is just the latest variation of the same idea that's been just 5 years away for the last 25 years.

As for Coastal's perspective, it is hard to join a conference when Wofford, Furman, the Citadel, and even Charleston are all hardline no against you joining the conference. Deck was loaded, but hey it worked out. Don't think Coastal would be in the Belt if they were admitted to either the SoCon or the CAA. Best thing to every happen was to have those two conferences turn their nose to us.

The 2000's SoCon and CAA are examples of why conference with multiple public and private schools have a hard time lasting.

Coastal was never getting into the SoCon. Wofford, Furman and El Citadel didn't want another South Carolina school and a public one at that (Citadel is technically public, but votes along with the private schools). College of Charleston might have been the same mindset, but they were looking for a way out for years. UNCG and Western didn't have big dreams so they voted with the Palmetto Gang.

Samford being invited in 2007-08 was a tipping point. I think that move was done partially because it was another small private school like Furman, Wofford and Elon, but also to appease UTC, who had flirted with the OVC at the time.

There were two more FCS tipping points for me. The first was after Davidson's Elite Eight run, when SoCon Commish Iamaniro said that run was more important than App State's FCS 3-Peat and Michigan win. Who knows if he's right, but you don't publicly say that about a fellow member.

The last one was in 2010, when the FCS was expanding the playoffs from 16 to 20 and moving the title game to Frisco, there was a meeting of ADs, presidents, the NCAA and ESPN. It was asked how FCS can get more attention and linear broadcasts. The answer from ESPN was that they didn't care. They broadcasted the FCS title game because of their contract with the NCAA to broadcast all their title events (which to this day, still includes WBB; the MBB contract is separate). By that point the FBS feasibility study was already underway.

Funny that in the end, the second-class public schools CofC, App and GaSo were forthright and transparent to the SoCon about leaving for a long time. Yet Davidson and Elon, the first class private schools, were not. Especially Elon, who was a troublemaker for their entire SoCon tenure. And then they invited another small private school in Mercer and brought back VMI and ETSU after booting them less than a decade before.

(07-16-2023 09:41 AM)Luckyshot Wrote:  

(07-15-2023 03:08 PM)James Madison Wrote:  NDSU, SDSU, Montana, and Montana State are the teams left that could do well in FBS. Potentially Weber State and Eastern Washington. All those listed are a clear notch or two above these new CUSA schools

Missouri State wouldn't be as good or better than their current picks?

Missouri State sucks. 4 winning seasons this century

(07-16-2023 05:50 PM)T-Dog Wrote:  The 2000's SoCon and CAA are examples of why conference with multiple public and private schools have a hard time lasting.

Coastal was never getting into the SoCon. Wofford, Furman and El Citadel didn't want another South Carolina school and a public one at that (Citadel is technically public, but votes along with the private schools). College of Charleston might have been the same mindset, but they were looking for a way out for years. UNCG and Western didn't have big dreams so they voted with the Palmetto Gang.

Samford being invited in 2007-08 was a tipping point. I think that move was done partially because it was another small private school like Furman, Wofford and Elon, but also to appease UTC, who had flirted with the OVC at the time.

There were two more FCS tipping points for me. The first was after Davidson's Elite Eight run, when SoCon Commish Iamaniro said that run was more important than App State's FCS 3-Peat and Michigan win. Who knows if he's right, but you don't publicly say that about a fellow member.

The last one was in 2010, when the FCS was expanding the playoffs from 16 to 20 and moving the title game to Frisco, there was a meeting of ADs, presidents, the NCAA and ESPN. It was asked how FCS can get more attention and linear broadcasts. The answer from ESPN was that they didn't care. They broadcasted the FCS title game because of their contract with the NCAA to broadcast all their title events (which to this day, still includes WBB; the MBB contract is separate). By that point the FBS feasibility study was already underway.

Funny that in the end, the second-class public schools CofC, App and GaSo were forthright and transparent to the SoCon about leaving for a long time. Yet Davidson and Elon, the first class private schools, were not. Especially Elon, who was a troublemaker for their entire SoCon tenure. And then they invited another small private school in Mercer and brought back VMI and ETSU after booting them less than a decade before.

Are you questioning the stability of the American?

Honestly, I wrote that post not even thinking of the modern AAC.

It does make me think why hasn't UTC ever considered an FBS move. They would be better suited to it than freaking Sam Houston State, in my opinion. Good stadium, good basketball arena, good city with a lot of outdoor activities to do nearby, been competitive in multiple sports, etc.

(07-16-2023 09:44 PM)T-Dog Wrote:  Honestly, I wrote that post not even thinking of the modern AAC.

It does make me think why hasn't UTC ever considered an FBS move. They would be better suited to it than freaking Sam Houston State, in my opinion. Good stadium, good basketball arena, good city with a lot of outdoor activities to do nearby, been competitive in multiple sports, etc.

T-Dog, is Tennessee (the one in Knoxville) opposed to UTC moving up? That thought occurred me while reading this thread. When UAB moved up to FBS, 'Bama was furious, IMO!! I think they got even more furious when Auburn played UAB in basketball and in football too. When Ray Watts shut down the UAB football program, no one on the UA system board dissented. Coincidence?? I think not. Maybe Tennessee feels the same way about UTC and has told them that they don't approve of a move up to FBS.

(07-16-2023 09:10 PM)ODU2017 Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 05:50 PM)T-Dog Wrote:  The 2000's SoCon and CAA are examples of why conference with multiple public and private schools have a hard time lasting.

Coastal was never getting into the SoCon. Wofford, Furman and El Citadel didn't want another South Carolina school and a public one at that (Citadel is technically public, but votes along with the private schools). College of Charleston might have been the same mindset, but they were looking for a way out for years. UNCG and Western didn't have big dreams so they voted with the Palmetto Gang.

Samford being invited in 2007-08 was a tipping point. I think that move was done partially because it was another small private school like Furman, Wofford and Elon, but also to appease UTC, who had flirted with the OVC at the time.

There were two more FCS tipping points for me. The first was after Davidson's Elite Eight run, when SoCon Commish Iamaniro said that run was more important than App State's FCS 3-Peat and Michigan win. Who knows if he's right, but you don't publicly say that about a fellow member.

The last one was in 2010, when the FCS was expanding the playoffs from 16 to 20 and moving the title game to Frisco, there was a meeting of ADs, presidents, the NCAA and ESPN. It was asked how FCS can get more attention and linear broadcasts. The answer from ESPN was that they didn't care. They broadcasted the FCS title game because of their contract with the NCAA to broadcast all their title events (which to this day, still includes WBB; the MBB contract is separate). By that point the FBS feasibility study was already underway.

Funny that in the end, the second-class public schools CofC, App and GaSo were forthright and transparent to the SoCon about leaving for a long time. Yet Davidson and Elon, the first class private schools, were not. Especially Elon, who was a troublemaker for their entire SoCon tenure. And then they invited another small private school in Mercer and brought back VMI and ETSU after booting them less than a decade before.

Are you questioning the stability of the American?

IMO, if ever there was a conference of convenience, it would be the American, IMO.
Perfect example: if life was soooo great in the American , then why did Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston bolt for the Big XII?? If they really liked in the American, IMO, they would have turned down the Big XII.

If the ACC lost Florida State, Clemson, and Miami, would any of guys want to join the ACC if the ACC gave you an invitation??

Now, I know that if any of us were invited to the SEC, we would be foolish not to take it, IMO. But the ACC?? I dunno about that one. No real rivalries, no teams really close by except for the Virginia teams and our Georgia & South Carolina teams.

(07-16-2023 10:20 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 09:10 PM)ODU2017 Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 05:50 PM)T-Dog Wrote:  The 2000's SoCon and CAA are examples of why conference with multiple public and private schools have a hard time lasting.

Coastal was never getting into the SoCon. Wofford, Furman and El Citadel didn't want another South Carolina school and a public one at that (Citadel is technically public, but votes along with the private schools). College of Charleston might have been the same mindset, but they were looking for a way out for years. UNCG and Western didn't have big dreams so they voted with the Palmetto Gang.

Samford being invited in 2007-08 was a tipping point. I think that move was done partially because it was another small private school like Furman, Wofford and Elon, but also to appease UTC, who had flirted with the OVC at the time.

There were two more FCS tipping points for me. The first was after Davidson's Elite Eight run, when SoCon Commish Iamaniro said that run was more important than App State's FCS 3-Peat and Michigan win. Who knows if he's right, but you don't publicly say that about a fellow member.

The last one was in 2010, when the FCS was expanding the playoffs from 16 to 20 and moving the title game to Frisco, there was a meeting of ADs, presidents, the NCAA and ESPN. It was asked how FCS can get more attention and linear broadcasts. The answer from ESPN was that they didn't care. They broadcasted the FCS title game because of their contract with the NCAA to broadcast all their title events (which to this day, still includes WBB; the MBB contract is separate). By that point the FBS feasibility study was already underway.

Funny that in the end, the second-class public schools CofC, App and GaSo were forthright and transparent to the SoCon about leaving for a long time. Yet Davidson and Elon, the first class private schools, were not. Especially Elon, who was a troublemaker for their entire SoCon tenure. And then they invited another small private school in Mercer and brought back VMI and ETSU after booting them less than a decade before.

Are you questioning the stability of the American?

IMO, if ever there was a conference of convenience, it would be the American, IMO.
Perfect example: if life was soooo great in the American , then why did Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston bolt for the Big XII?? If they really liked in the American, IMO, they would have turned down the Big XII.

If the ACC lost Florida State, Clemson, and Miami, would any of guys want to join the ACC if the ACC gave you an invitation??

Now, I know that if any of us were invited to the SEC, we would be foolish not to take it, IMO. But the ACC?? I dunno about that one. No real rivalries, no teams really close by except for the Virginia teams and our Georgia & South Carolina teams.

I think everyone in the SBC East would take an ACC invite at the drop of a hat. And there's nothing wrong with that at all.

(07-17-2023 07:03 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 10:20 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 09:10 PM)ODU2017 Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 05:50 PM)T-Dog Wrote:  The 2000's SoCon and CAA are examples of why conference with multiple public and private schools have a hard time lasting.

Coastal was never getting into the SoCon. Wofford, Furman and El Citadel didn't want another South Carolina school and a public one at that (Citadel is technically public, but votes along with the private schools). College of Charleston might have been the same mindset, but they were looking for a way out for years. UNCG and Western didn't have big dreams so they voted with the Palmetto Gang.

Samford being invited in 2007-08 was a tipping point. I think that move was done partially because it was another small private school like Furman, Wofford and Elon, but also to appease UTC, who had flirted with the OVC at the time.

There were two more FCS tipping points for me. The first was after Davidson's Elite Eight run, when SoCon Commish Iamaniro said that run was more important than App State's FCS 3-Peat and Michigan win. Who knows if he's right, but you don't publicly say that about a fellow member.

The last one was in 2010, when the FCS was expanding the playoffs from 16 to 20 and moving the title game to Frisco, there was a meeting of ADs, presidents, the NCAA and ESPN. It was asked how FCS can get more attention and linear broadcasts. The answer from ESPN was that they didn't care. They broadcasted the FCS title game because of their contract with the NCAA to broadcast all their title events (which to this day, still includes WBB; the MBB contract is separate). By that point the FBS feasibility study was already underway.

Funny that in the end, the second-class public schools CofC, App and GaSo were forthright and transparent to the SoCon about leaving for a long time. Yet Davidson and Elon, the first class private schools, were not. Especially Elon, who was a troublemaker for their entire SoCon tenure. And then they invited another small private school in Mercer and brought back VMI and ETSU after booting them less than a decade before.

Are you questioning the stability of the American?

IMO, if ever there was a conference of convenience, it would be the American, IMO.
Perfect example: if life was soooo great in the American , then why did Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston bolt for the Big XII?? If they really liked in the American, IMO, they would have turned down the Big XII.

If the ACC lost Florida State, Clemson, and Miami, would any of guys want to join the ACC if the ACC gave you an invitation??

Now, I know that if any of us were invited to the SEC, we would be foolish not to take it, IMO. But the ACC?? I dunno about that one. No real rivalries, no teams really close by except for the Virginia teams and our Georgia & South Carolina teams.

I think everyone in the SBC East would take an ACC invite at the drop of a hat. And there's nothing wrong with that at all.

If it were just those three, yes App State would ABSOLUTELY join, but if those 3 left then UNC, NC State, Va Tech and UVA would probably want to exit immediately after. App would have to get a handle on what those schools intended to do before signing on the dotted line. Not only from a competitive stand point but geographic and financial ones as well. We might find ourselves in a far flung conference with a greatly reduced financial payout (compared to the current ACC deal). If it was a packaged deal of App, Marshall, GS, Coastal…that’d help assuage those concerns.

(07-17-2023 07:52 AM)APPdiesel Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 07:03 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 10:20 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 09:10 PM)ODU2017 Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 05:50 PM)T-Dog Wrote:  The 2000's SoCon and CAA are examples of why conference with multiple public and private schools have a hard time lasting.

Coastal was never getting into the SoCon. Wofford, Furman and El Citadel didn't want another South Carolina school and a public one at that (Citadel is technically public, but votes along with the private schools). College of Charleston might have been the same mindset, but they were looking for a way out for years. UNCG and Western didn't have big dreams so they voted with the Palmetto Gang.

Samford being invited in 2007-08 was a tipping point. I think that move was done partially because it was another small private school like Furman, Wofford and Elon, but also to appease UTC, who had flirted with the OVC at the time.

There were two more FCS tipping points for me. The first was after Davidson's Elite Eight run, when SoCon Commish Iamaniro said that run was more important than App State's FCS 3-Peat and Michigan win. Who knows if he's right, but you don't publicly say that about a fellow member.

The last one was in 2010, when the FCS was expanding the playoffs from 16 to 20 and moving the title game to Frisco, there was a meeting of ADs, presidents, the NCAA and ESPN. It was asked how FCS can get more attention and linear broadcasts. The answer from ESPN was that they didn't care. They broadcasted the FCS title game because of their contract with the NCAA to broadcast all their title events (which to this day, still includes WBB; the MBB contract is separate). By that point the FBS feasibility study was already underway.

Funny that in the end, the second-class public schools CofC, App and GaSo were forthright and transparent to the SoCon about leaving for a long time. Yet Davidson and Elon, the first class private schools, were not. Especially Elon, who was a troublemaker for their entire SoCon tenure. And then they invited another small private school in Mercer and brought back VMI and ETSU after booting them less than a decade before.

Are you questioning the stability of the American?

IMO, if ever there was a conference of convenience, it would be the American, IMO.
Perfect example: if life was soooo great in the American , then why did Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston bolt for the Big XII?? If they really liked in the American, IMO, they would have turned down the Big XII.

If the ACC lost Florida State, Clemson, and Miami, would any of guys want to join the ACC if the ACC gave you an invitation??

Now, I know that if any of us were invited to the SEC, we would be foolish not to take it, IMO. But the ACC?? I dunno about that one. No real rivalries, no teams really close by except for the Virginia teams and our Georgia & South Carolina teams.

I think everyone in the SBC East would take an ACC invite at the drop of a hat. And there's nothing wrong with that at all.

If it were just those three, yes App State would ABSOLUTELY join, but if those 3 left then UNC, NC State, Va Tech and UVA would probably want to exit immediately after. App would have to get a handle on what those schools intended to do before signing on the dotted line. Not only from a competitive stand point but geographic and financial ones as well. We might find ourselves in a far flung conference with a greatly reduced financial payout (compared to the current ACC deal). If it was a packaged deal of App, Marshall, GS, Coastal…that’d help assuage those concerns.

That is really the gamble for any G5 moving "up" in realignment. Paying exit and entrance fees that are sometimes quite large for what could be a failed experiment in a few short seasons. On the other hand, it is hard to say no to the chance of playing with the big boys.

I agree with your assessment, that it would be much easier and feel much less risky if it could be done in a group. It honestly also feels less risky in the Southeast in general. There are just so many programs in this part of the country that there is next to zero chance you end up stuck on an island.

(07-17-2023 07:58 AM)freshtop Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 07:52 AM)APPdiesel Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 07:03 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 10:20 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 09:10 PM)ODU2017 Wrote:  Are you questioning the stability of the American?

IMO, if ever there was a conference of convenience, it would be the American, IMO.
Perfect example: if life was soooo great in the American , then why did Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston bolt for the Big XII?? If they really liked in the American, IMO, they would have turned down the Big XII.

If the ACC lost Florida State, Clemson, and Miami, would any of guys want to join the ACC if the ACC gave you an invitation??

Now, I know that if any of us were invited to the SEC, we would be foolish not to take it, IMO. But the ACC?? I dunno about that one. No real rivalries, no teams really close by except for the Virginia teams and our Georgia & South Carolina teams.

I think everyone in the SBC East would take an ACC invite at the drop of a hat. And there's nothing wrong with that at all.

If it were just those three, yes App State would ABSOLUTELY join, but if those 3 left then UNC, NC State, Va Tech and UVA would probably want to exit immediately after. App would have to get a handle on what those schools intended to do before signing on the dotted line. Not only from a competitive stand point but geographic and financial ones as well. We might find ourselves in a far flung conference with a greatly reduced financial payout (compared to the current ACC deal). If it was a packaged deal of App, Marshall, GS, Coastal…that’d help assuage those concerns.

That is really the gamble for any G5 moving "up" in realignment. Paying exit and entrance fees that are sometimes quite large for what could be a failed experiment in a few short seasons. On the other hand, it is hard to say no to the chance of playing with the big boys.

I agree with your assessment, that it would be much easier and feel much less risky if it could be done in a group. It honestly also feels less risky in the Southeast in general. There are just so many programs in this part of the country that there is next to zero chance you end up stuck on an island.

Your honor while the defense has made a great statement, I'd like to remind him that USM was in fact stuck on an island while trying to get into the now defunct Big East and current AAC for a few years.. By the grace of God and a competent AD we were able to finally escape the island.

The defense also fails to realize they had a ticket off said island, but luckily for them wiser heads possibly prevailed and prevented them from a massive iceberg, and while still on the island they may have other options but it may be years away.

Sorry Fresh, couldn't help myself

It's all in fun though

(07-17-2023 08:39 AM)gdunn Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 07:58 AM)freshtop Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 07:52 AM)APPdiesel Wrote:  

(07-17-2023 07:03 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 10:20 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  IMO, if ever there was a conference of convenience, it would be the American, IMO.
Perfect example: if life was soooo great in the American , then why did Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston bolt for the Big XII?? If they really liked in the American, IMO, they would have turned down the Big XII.

If the ACC lost Florida State, Clemson, and Miami, would any of guys want to join the ACC if the ACC gave you an invitation??

Now, I know that if any of us were invited to the SEC, we would be foolish not to take it, IMO. But the ACC?? I dunno about that one. No real rivalries, no teams really close by except for the Virginia teams and our Georgia & South Carolina teams.

I think everyone in the SBC East would take an ACC invite at the drop of a hat. And there's nothing wrong with that at all.

If it were just those three, yes App State would ABSOLUTELY join, but if those 3 left then UNC, NC State, Va Tech and UVA would probably want to exit immediately after. App would have to get a handle on what those schools intended to do before signing on the dotted line. Not only from a competitive stand point but geographic and financial ones as well. We might find ourselves in a far flung conference with a greatly reduced financial payout (compared to the current ACC deal). If it was a packaged deal of App, Marshall, GS, Coastal…that’d help assuage those concerns.

That is really the gamble for any G5 moving "up" in realignment. Paying exit and entrance fees that are sometimes quite large for what could be a failed experiment in a few short seasons. On the other hand, it is hard to say no to the chance of playing with the big boys.

I agree with your assessment, that it would be much easier and feel much less risky if it could be done in a group. It honestly also feels less risky in the Southeast in general. There are just so many programs in this part of the country that there is next to zero chance you end up stuck on an island.

Your honor while the defense has made a great statement, I'd like to remind him that USM was in fact stuck on an island while trying to get into the now defunct Big East and current AAC for a few years.. By the grace of God and a competent AD we were able to finally escape the island.

The defense also fails to realize they had a ticket off said island, but luckily for them wiser heads possibly prevailed and prevented them from a massive iceberg, and while still on the island they may have other options but it may be years away.

Sorry Fresh, couldn't help myself

It's all in fun though

How were we ever on an island?

(07-16-2023 10:08 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 09:44 PM)T-Dog Wrote:  Honestly, I wrote that post not even thinking of the modern AAC.

It does make me think why hasn't UTC ever considered an FBS move. They would be better suited to it than freaking Sam Houston State, in my opinion. Good stadium, good basketball arena, good city with a lot of outdoor activities to do nearby, been competitive in multiple sports, etc.

T-Dog, is Tennessee (the one in Knoxville) opposed to UTC moving up? That thought occurred me while reading this thread. When UAB moved up to FBS, 'Bama was furious, IMO!! I think they got even more furious when Auburn played UAB in basketball and in football too. When Ray Watts shut down the UAB football program, no one on the UA system board dissented. Coincidence?? I think not. Maybe Tennessee feels the same way about UTC and has told them that they don't approve of a move up to FBS.

When UAB moved up, Alabama let it be know they were not going to schedule anyone in football who also played the Blazers. Auburn more or less immediately put UAB on their schedule.

No clue if Tennessee would oppose UTC moving up as there's never been a peep about it. I don't think UT opposed MTSU moving up, and I don't think they could as MTSU is in a different university system. UTC is in the same university system tho as UTK, so I would imagine that would cause consternation in Knoxville.

UTC use to be a private school, the University of Chattanooga, before joining the UT system and going public. I know several older UTC folks still don't like that move.

Has anyone seen when these news regs. will be discussed..voted on?

(07-16-2023 01:42 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 11:48 AM)OsageJ Wrote:  The best part of this is requiring the schools to give scholarships. FCS started going downhill when you had schools at that level could give scholarships as they wanted. Then they decided schools in D1 basketball with football up to that time in D3 had to be in FCS. No scholies though. FCS became a joke after a few top schools.

A big turning point in our fan base's opinion of moving up came in 2005 when we were ranked 5 or 6 at the end of the regular-season and ended up getting sent halfway across the country to play a stout Texas State team in the first game of the playoffs. That ended up happening because the NCAA started only seeding the top 4 seeds and all other pairings were done with regionalization. If schools don't want to fully fund the scholarships for football fine but accommodating teams that don't want to fund their programs may have sealed I-AA's fate.

Of course, there's also the fact that schools like Georgia Southern and App State wanted to invite schools like Coastal Carolina and Jacksonville State to the SoCon but the majority of the conference wanted Elon and Samford. That divorce was inevitable.

What's funny is I can remember even well before I was a college student that it was a talking point in the administration that the NCAA was going to start relegating low-level IA teams back down where they belong. And all the migration has gone in the opposite direction to the point FBS could grow to over 140 teams. The "P5 breakaway" theory is just the latest variation of the same idea that's been just 5 years away for the last 25 years.

Perhaps, but I do think adding 20-30 more FCS teams could increase the likelihood of another split, similar to what happened in 1982, when I-aa was originally created and some schools were forced down.

(07-17-2023 03:37 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 01:42 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 11:48 AM)OsageJ Wrote:  The best part of this is requiring the schools to give scholarships. FCS started going downhill when you had schools at that level could give scholarships as they wanted. Then they decided schools in D1 basketball with football up to that time in D3 had to be in FCS. No scholies though. FCS became a joke after a few top schools.

A big turning point in our fan base's opinion of moving up came in 2005 when we were ranked 5 or 6 at the end of the regular-season and ended up getting sent halfway across the country to play a stout Texas State team in the first game of the playoffs. That ended up happening because the NCAA started only seeding the top 4 seeds and all other pairings were done with regionalization. If schools don't want to fully fund the scholarships for football fine but accommodating teams that don't want to fund their programs may have sealed I-AA's fate.

Of course, there's also the fact that schools like Georgia Southern and App State wanted to invite schools like Coastal Carolina and Jacksonville State to the SoCon but the majority of the conference wanted Elon and Samford. That divorce was inevitable.

What's funny is I can remember even well before I was a college student that it was a talking point in the administration that the NCAA was going to start relegating low-level IA teams back down where they belong. And all the migration has gone in the opposite direction to the point FBS could grow to over 140 teams. The "P5 breakaway" theory is just the latest variation of the same idea that's been just 5 years away for the last 25 years.

Perhaps, but I do think adding 20-30 more FCS teams could increase the likelihood of another split, similar to what happened in 1982, when I-aa was originally created and some schools were forced down.

We were a victim of that.