Next Round of Realignment

[SW_Mustang]

Thanks, I didn't realize it had been rescinded.

Personally, I think it would be a mistake for these schools to go to the FBS division. You go from FCS where you are competing for a National Championship almost every year, the FBS, where you have to have a winning record just to get into some minor bowl in Mobile or Detroit. Would these teams even get a sniff at the 12 spots for that play for the FBS championship? It would take a pretty special team, probably a once in a generation or two team to squeeze their way past a Power 5 team.

I honestly didn't either until I looked it up to clarify what the attendance rule was. I do know that even though it was technically a rule, the NCAA didn't enforce it nor had a way to verify the obviously false attendance numbers some schools (MAC) were pushing out.

IMO, our current divisional structure acts as a Ponzi scheme. It should function as a way to sort schools into like-categories so they can compete amongst themselves and have opportunities for their own playoffs. The way it actually functions is schools are moving up for financial incentives and not because they can compete. ADs might tell their boosters and fans that they'll go FBS and be the next Alabama dynasty, but they won't. The real reason is that a Bob's Meat Market Bowl in Akron is a bigger financial incentive than a run in the FCS playoffs.

Personally, I think it's a joke and one well continue to drain the well if nothing is done, but I'm in the minority in that one.

[Purple Mav Man]

Whoops. I just remember hearing about their stadium and assumed WT was big in football, but I guess it's probably just par for the course in the facilities arms race down there.

WT probably has the best stadium in D2. And it’s a real stadium too, not half done like most in D2. But the product on the field in that beautiful stadium is poor. They do very well in seemingly all other sports though, and also have nice facilities for those. Their basketball arena is also very nice.

[Stanger86]

WT is an every sport but football, school. They used to be good at football back when the conference was good. Step into the LSC forum and just type, “Don Cathel”. You’ll get all kinds of WT old timers ready to talk the good ol days :)

The rest of the schools? More in line with Texas as a whole. Football first. Tarleton had a decent basketball program as well.

Whoops. I just remember hearing about their stadium and assumed WT was big in football, but I guess it's probably just par for the course in the facilities arms race down there.

[Purple Mav Man]

My historical knowledge is subpar, but weren't most of those schools better in basketball than football? Sometimes, the decision-making process should come down to understanding your niche. I think it's easier to move D1 if you are more of a basketball school. Easier to make a mark, because you can make the national tournament.

WT is an every sport but football, school. They used to be good at football back when the conference was good. Step into the LSC forum and just type, “Don Cathel”. You’ll get all kinds of WT old timers ready to talk the good ol days :)

The rest of the schools? More in line with Texas as a whole. Football first. Tarleton had a decent basketball program as well.

[vikingfaithful]

The defending 2-time FCS NC Jacks football beats D2 Augustana 24-3 in front of their 2nd largest home crowd ever,
then fly down to Louisiana and beat SE Louisiana and win 42-0. This makes me question how good FCS football is in its mid to lower levels

[Stanger86]

The Southland Conference basically became the former LSC, then some teams split out to other conferences from there. They could probably pretty easily put a decent FCS inference together in the state of Texas.

My historical knowledge is subpar, but weren't most of those schools better in basketball than football? Sometimes, the decision-making process should come down to understanding your niche. I think it's easier to move D1 if you are more of a basketball school. Easier to make a mark, because you can make the national tournament.

[Purple Mav Man]

I wonder, could West Texas ever make a move?

Spend some time in the LSC boards… (at your own risk, of course. Ha) WT could do it, but it seems they may not have the interest currently. And perhaps not the backing of the A&M system? Not sure what it’s all about. However A&M-Commerce is really struggling at D1.

The Southland Conference basically became the former LSC, then some teams split out to other conferences from there. They could probably pretty easily put a decent FCS inference together in the state of Texas.

[Stanger86]

Idaho is another to watch for Moutain West acquisitions.

Something we never talk about is the RMAC schools that may look to move D1 and either MVFC/Summit or whatever else presents itself. Maybe Colorado has a Minnesota/Wisconsin strangle hold, if not, they have some programs that could make the move.

I wonder, could West Texas ever make a move?

[Augieholic]

FCS football is an extremely watered down product from what is was 10 years ago. I would say 80%-90% of the league is top end D2 talent now.

The best FCS team can barely beat a top 15 D2 team these days.

[NorthDakotaDragon]

Thanks, I didn't realize it had been rescinded.

Personally, I think it would be a mistake for these schools to go to the FBS division. You go from FCS where you are competing for a National Championship almost every year, the FBS, where you have to have a winning record just to get into some minor bowl in Mobile or Detroit. Would these teams even get a sniff at the 12 spots for that play for the FBS championship? It would take a pretty special team, probably a once in a generation or two team to squeeze their way past a Power 5 team.

I would have agreed with that statement prior to a 12-team playoff, but don't forget the highest ranked G5 champion has an auto bid to the CFB Playoff. NDSU/SDSU joins the MW and goes 12-0 11-1 and there is a real possibility they are in the dance playing the 5-seed. Will they ever win a natty? Almost a 0% chance. But you have a clear path every single season to get a shot on the biggest stage in college football. FCS football is an extremely watered down product from what is was 10 years ago. I would say 80%-90% of the league is top end D2 talent now. The premier remaining FCS schools should take every action possible to go up with the big boys. FCS should backfill with the top D2 programs, D2 should backfill with the top D3/NAIA programs, etc... Realignment is a good thing. Will make for a more competitive product across the board.

[njmav1]

Thanks, I didn't realize it had been rescinded.

Personally, I think it would be a mistake for these schools to go to the FBS division. You go from FCS where you are competing for a National Championship almost every year, the FBS, where you have to have a winning record just to get into some minor bowl in Mobile or Detroit. Would these teams even get a sniff at the 12 spots for that play for the FBS championship? It would take a pretty special team, probably a once in a generation or two team to squeeze their way past a Power 5 team.

This seems to be the prevailing opinion here. But what if- in exchange for that, those programs move up to a conference that a) provides more media revenue and b) provides the school with some more exposure to draw more students? Would it be worth it if it doesn't add a huge burden to the overall budget?

[crixus]

Augustana couldn't raise the huge amount of extra $$$ to run it's athletic budget. SDSU cannot, they suckle on the taxpayer teat to fund their D1 budget, same at USD. Great article here.

SDSU, USD rely heavily on state money and student fees to subsidize Division I athletics (dakotanewsnow.com)

As a Jackrabbits fan (going back before the FCS era), I appreciate the link. I don't live in South Dakota and didn't realize the financial situation there. Go Jacks!

[Purple Mav Man]

Will this increase enrollment?
Will this increase alumni/private donations?
Will this increase consistent campus revenue?

The folks making these decisions have much different discussions than we do on the boards.

Much different. I’m a fan, not an administrator:) And those are all questions that need to be considered above wins and losses. But a lot of times, donations are tied to those wins. Not always of course.

I think the answer to at least 2/3 of those though, is no.

[NSU4LIFE]

What you’ve just said is why I have zero interest in MSU moving up.

Compete for titles at D2 - or be a jobber at D1? Seems pretty simple to me.

Will this increase enrollment?
Will this increase alumni/private donations?
Will this increase consistent campus revenue?

The folks making these decisions have much different discussions than we do on the boards.

[Purple Mav Man]

Thanks, I didn't realize it had been rescinded.

Personally, I think it would be a mistake for these schools to go to the FBS division. You go from FCS where you are competing for a National Championship almost every year, the FBS, where you have to have a winning record just to get into some minor bowl in Mobile or Detroit. Would these teams even get a sniff at the 12 spots for that play for the FBS championship? It would take a pretty special team, probably a once in a generation or two team to squeeze their way past a Power 5 team.

What you’ve just said is why I have zero interest in MSU moving up.

Compete for titles at D2 - or be a jobber at D1? Seems pretty simple to me.