A new and better FBS thread

[BigHorns]

I think both the Pac media deal and the MW media deal will announced this month. If the lawsuits do indeed go to trial that will take a couple of years, at least, but it doesn't really prevent either conference from adding if they wish to.

If those lawsuits really do hang around, it could create a bit of a stalemate/stand off for a while. I could see PAC waiting a while to figure out what their options are. They don’t have any urgency to add now imo. They could also announce a move with AAC/MW team(s) and let them give 2 year notice to reduce exit fees.

Also get the sense that a lot of G6 are holding their breath to see what other shoe drops with the P4 in charge of governance now. P4 have enough leverage to basically dictate terms to everyone else.

[MWC]

If those lawsuits really do hang around, it could create a bit of a stalemate/stand off for a while. I could see PAC waiting a while to figure out what their options are. They don’t have any urgency to add now imo. They could also announce a move with AAC/MW team(s) and let them give 2 year notice to reduce exit fees.

Also get the sense that a lot of G6 are holding their breath to see what other shoe drops with the P4 in charge of governance now. P4 have enough leverage to basically dictate terms to everyone else.

I think it is quite prudent for both conferences to sit tight with what they have. Neither league needs to do anything. If they wish to add a MW school or two, they would need to get right on that soon. Starting next July 1st the MW will have a GOR in place. Does UNLV or any other MW school want to give up their signing bonus and pay exit fees to join the Pac? I would say them leaving is not a slam dunk.

[HerdBot]

I think both the Pac media deal and the MW media deal will announced this month. If the lawsuits do indeed go to trial that will take a couple of years, at least, but it doesn't really prevent either conference from adding if they wish to.

Now that the Governence stuff is cleared up, maybe the TV deal is enough to finalize the conference.

Strength of schedule should be very important for both conferences because an undefeated record in conference play won't guarantee a playoff bid. Especially for the MW without Boise and some top teams

Check out Sagarin ratings last year and it makes a case any top FCS program would increase the PAC and MWs strength of schedule, including UC Davis

sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm

2024 final sagarin ratings

31 Boise
37 South Dakota State (odd since NDSU won twice)
40 North Dakota State (in 2013, we finished #17)
45 Montana State
48 UNLV
68 South Dakota
69 Texas State
70 James Madison
73 Washington State
91 - UC Davis (best season in school history)
92 - Fresno State
94 Northern Illinois
97 Colorado State
99 Air Force
100 San Jose State
101 Oregon State
103 Utah State
109 Wyoming
112 Montana
115 Hawai'i
116 New Mexico
121 Missouri State
123 Nevada
125 Tarleton State
126 Illinois State
132 San Diego State
140 North Dakota (the shitty ND)
166 UTEP
176 Sacramento State

[MWC]

Now that the Governence stuff is cleared up, maybe the TV deal is enough to finalize the conference.

Strength of schedule should be very important for both conferences because an undefeated record in conference play won't guarantee a playoff bid, without Boise and some top teams

Check out Sagarin ratings last year and it makes a case any too FCS program would increase the P12 and MWs strength of schedule, including UC Davis

sagarin.com/sports/cfsend.htm

2024 final sagarin ratings

31 Boise
37 South Dakota State (odd since NDSU won twice)
40 North Dakota State (in 2013, we finished #17)
45 Montana State
48 UNLV
68 South Dakota
69 Texas State
70 James Madison
73 Washington State
91 - UC Davis (best season in school history)
92 - Fresno State
94 Northern Illinois
97 Colorado State
99 Air Force
100 San Jose State
101 Oregon State
103 Utah State
109 Wyoming
112 Montana
115 Hawai'i
116 New Mexico
121 Missouri State
123 Nevada
125 Tarleton State
126 Illinois State
132 San Diego State
140 North Dakota (the shitty ND)
166 UTEP
176 Sacramento State

No debate from me on that point. There are quite a few schools in FCS that would increase strength of schedule. It is why I support NDSU football only to the MW. I don't have a say and I really don't know what criteria is most important to the folks who do vote. I would say, that last season's Sagarin numbers is probably not a major factor. I do think a commitment to spending to improve is very important. NDSU offers that.

[HerdBot]

No debate from me on that point. There are quite a few schools in FCS that would increase strength of schedule. It is why I support NDSU football only to the MW. I don't have a say and I really don't know what criteria is most important to the folks who do vote. I would say, that last season's Sagarin numbers is probably not a major factor. I do think a commitment to spending to improve is very important. NDSU offers that.

Officially Sagarin has no impact. Unofficially it's the premier rankings seen every week in the USA Today since the mid 80s. Everyone sees it and it influences voters

In 2 years, the American will be guaranteed to get that spot. It's not even close. That's why the PAC is targeting American teams.

It's all going to compound when UNLV is no longer playing Boise and their biggest win is #94 NIU and #99 Air Force. The same is true of Boise who won't play UNLV or Air Force

The big winner besides Attorneys is the American.

[MWC]

Officially Sagarin has no impact. Unofficially it's the premier rankings seen every week in the USA Today since the mid 80s. Everyone sees it and it influences voters

In 2 years, the American will be guaranteed to get that spot. It's not even close. That's why the PAC is targeting American teams.

It's all going to compound when UNLV is no longer playing Boise and their biggest win is #94 NIU and #99 Air Force. The same is true of Boise who won't play UNLV or Air Force

The big winner besides Attorneys is the American.

The American has been hammered with defections of their own. I know you want to be FBS and that is a worthy goal but G6 is not glamorous. It is a slog no matter which conference you are in.

[HerdBot]

The American was once a hell of a league but at the end of the day, it's still the best G5 in 2 years. I know it's not glamorous but since FBS teams stopping playing us, we really have no other choice. The only reason we got Colorado last year is we scheduled it like 6 years early. I love those games, even the ones we lost.

The FCS playoffs is incredible when when you play great teams. Unfortunately the first 2 rounds are all cupcakes and you have 6 days to sell tickets

The FCS conference season has a few great games but it's the road trips to Indiana State and Murray State that really bore fans. The non conference games vs Drake or North Carolina A&T are rarely competitive. I don't think we've lost a regular season non conference home game since 1998 and we're like 45-1 in home playoff games

Can you see why fans don't get pumped up like they used to?

[MWC]

I don't question your desire for FBS..I hope you get there.

[BigHorns]

The American has been hammered with defections of their own. I know you want to be FBS and that is a worthy goal but G6 is not glamorous. It is a slog no matter which conference you are in.

PAC and AAC are clearly at the top and arm wrestling for supremacy in G6.
Right now, it looks to me like one of them will land the CFP bid a good 8 out of 10 years.
The other two out of 10 may go to either MW or SBC.

PAC is close to being the top G6 if they can poach a couple AAC and/or MW teams, and that is why they will try.
Locking up the top G6 slot and CFP can make a conference a quasi P5. For everyone else, it is indeed a slog.

[MWC]

PAC and AAC are clearly at the top and arm wrestling for supremacy in G6.
Right now, it looks to me like one of them will land the CFP bid a good 8 out of 10 years.
The other two out of 10 may go to either MW or SBC.

PAC is close to being the top G6 if they can poach a couple AAC and/or MW teams, and that is why they will try.
Locking up the top G6 slot and CFP can make a conference a quasi P5. For everyone else, it is indeed a slog.

This makes me wonder why anybody here wants any part of the MW. You are very football centric. You guys believe you would run roughshod over all those crappy MW teams. How, exactly does that put you in the CFP?