A new and better FBS thread

[heffray]

“Poised to guarantee” meant that as P5 (now P4) decisions continue to impact everyone else, you’re sitting as an FBS independent as the landscape radically shifts. In this scenario, G5 conferences are reacting to P4 decisions. G5 conference realignment perceptions of NDSU are likely a lot different if we are FBS independent compared to FCS. This is what I meant by the “poised to guarantee” that second tier level comment.

Obviously you can’t predict how the whole thing shakes out, but I’d rather be FBS Independent than FCS if P4 breaks away and everyone else is scrambling on what do to next. Doomsday scenarios of this not working out don’t seem so bad to me since it’s not like NDSU football will cease to exist as a program. You can always continue playing at some level…ala back as a member of FCS.

Such an interesting phrase, “poised to guarantee”… I have no problem with what you described as being an option, but calling it “poised” or even “a guarantee” is a stretch.

Anyway, carry on…

[heffray]

Indeed they did after many years. They went to B12 to gain CFP access.
Prior to being Indy BYU was in the MWC.

Believe Liberty was the only school to ever move from FCS to FBS Indy.
That was a unique case, and they spent a shit ton of money to do it. Many many millions just on scheduling.

That school almost literally prints money.

Agree. I don’t think NDSU could or should try to make it work, but your initial post said that Notre Dame was the only school to make it work and I guess I’d point to BYU as evidence to the contrary. Liberty is not doing that badly either, but then again, not an example NDSU can or should follow…

Sigh…

[heffray]

Isn’t all of this a gamble? Say or go nothing is certain. Going D1 was a big gamble. It paid off but it could’ve gone much much worse. Right now we’re waiting for an invite (that we can’t control) and hoping for the best. Dr Chapman and Gene where are you….

Maybe this is just the benefit of hindsight speaking, but going from D2 to D1-AA (FCS) seems a lot less of a gamble than going FBS Indy.

[TAILG8R]

Among other issues with going indy is trying to schedule games during every other teams’ conference schedule.


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[BigHorns]

Agree. I don’t think NDSU could or should try to make it work, but your initial post said that Notre Dame was the only school to make it work and I guess I’d point to BYU as evidence to the contrary. Liberty is not doing that badly either, but then again, not an example NDSU can or should follow…

Sigh…

I meant teams adopting FBS Independent as a long term successful model.
At best, its a short term bandaid for some teams.

BYU left ... they didn't view Indy as viable long term, so they found a way out.
Liberty left Indy also, for the same reasons.

UMass and UConn may also leave Indy status if a conference will take them, but they have not been particularly successful there.
Its more like serving time in Purgatory. There's structural reasons these teams are the worst FBS teams now.
UMass has averaged around 9-10k attendance the past couple years. No conference has offered them a lifeline yet.

Notre Dame is VERY unique, and is essentially an ACC team, scheduling wise. They have an ACC contract.

[El_Chapo]

OMG OMG OMG. I SPY MOVEMENT

Even down to only 2 schools, Oregon State & Washington State "still trying to rebuild the Pac-12, maintain this thing & steal some of the Mountain West schools," source told

@ActionNetworkHQ

[heffray]

I meant teams adopting FBS Independent as a long term successful model.
At best, its a short term bandaid for some teams.

BYU left ... they didn't view Indy as viable long term, so they found a way out.
Liberty left Indy also, for the same reasons.

UMass and UConn may also leave Indy status if a conference will take them, but they have not been particularly successful there.
Its more like serving time in Purgatory. There's structural reasons these teams are the worst FBS teams now.
UMass has averaged around 9-10k attendance the past couple years. No conference has offered them a lifeline yet.

Notre Dame is VERY unique, and is essentially an ACC team, scheduling wise. They have an ACC contract.

Agree with you. Notre Dame has been grandfathered in. I wonder how long they will be allowed to do it and still be relevant…

Queue ByeSon in 3, 2…

[56BISON73]

Among other issues with going indy is trying to schedule games during every other teams’ conference schedule.


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Plus you need a boat load of money to bring teams in. If not youre going to be on the road a lot.

[BigHorns]

Plus you need a boat load of money to bring teams in. If not youre going to be on the road a lot.

There is no "if not" ... NCAA requires hosting 5 FBS games for FBS status. Indy teams like UMass/UConn end up cash strapped, which hurts the whole program.

The 3 reasons a conference matters: guaranteed FBS games, media deals, postseason CFP and Bowl access. Also, over 99% of time, its the ONLY way to move from FCS. The bylaws state FBS conference invite is the only official path to FBS, anything else requires approval of a large committee that is inclined to say no, and most often does say no. I'm only aware of 1 exception in history. We are highly unlikely to be #2.

[IndyBison]

The only team that has really made Indy work well is Notre Dame. The thing is they are essentially an ACC associated school, and are given an ACC schedule each year due to a formal agreement. Their history and status have also given them a great media deal, and believe they are the only independent school that has direct membership in the CFP. In spite of all this, there is still rumors they may be pushed to formally join ACC or B10 at some point.

Comparing anyone to Notre Dame is not a valid analogy. They are a very unique brand in college athletics.

I was fortunate to work a few scrimmages there a few years ago. The person I coordinated with was former QB Ron Powlus (those of from the 90s may remember him from his hype). He invited us to eat at the team training table after the scrimmage, and we had some fun conversations.

As director of operations, one of his jobs was to schedule games. I asked him if his job was made easier by having no problems getting any teams to return him phone call. He smiled and said that was definitely nice. I asked if he would ever schedule NDSU. He said they don't schedule FCS schools (obviously not true now with their Tennessee State game today), but even if they did, they would never schedule NDSU. Why? "We might lose."

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