Believe me...
by Wass (2023-01-28 15:42:33)

In reply to: Too much money involved to drop down  posted by jt


...I am well aware of that. My dad played at a MAC and was part of a "small college NC" team. He has long said they should drop down a level, but they stay where they are at because of the money. Back in the 80s, I thought they should stay where they were at mainly because things were different back then. They weren't playing Power 5 conference (though that ESPN speak term wasn't around back then) teams as much (once a year, sometimes not at all) and they weren't playing weekday games constantly. Now they play Power 5 teams regularly, clearly for the money, and play on weekdays regularly, clearly for the ESPN TV money. If the administration cared, they would drop down. Getting beat up by teams thar have far better talent is no fun and being forced to play on weekdays simply to fill time on ESPN is an insult. But mo ey talks. Personally, I think Power 5 teams playing Group of 5 teams should be penalized in the rankings. Instead, ESPN and those who have a say in the ranking love it when the Power 5 school runs up the score on the nearly hapless Group of 5 school. They are rewarded for their "efforts". As I said elsewhere, I hate the direction college sports are headed. I would hope some sanity will prevail down the road, but I expect it to get worse, not better. Greed is more important than anything now.


and the truth of the matter is
by jt  (2023-01-28 17:41:50)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

there are many FCS schools that are much more competitive than some group of 5 schools, and the administration is behind the program and supportive of the athletes.

Not the case at many group of 5 schools, where the administration sees the program and the athletes as a necessary evil or a means to an end, similar to the way a John thinks of a hooker.


I think that is the case...
by Wass  (2023-01-28 18:44:02)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

...case with the MAC. Their admonistrations don't care about the players. They care about the money. But I think the MAC would benefit going to the FCS. Just my opinion. In any event, NIL money and the transfer portal definitely benefit the Power 5 schools the most. They can poach all the best players from the Group of 5 schools with NIL money and the way the transfer portal is set up makes it easier for such players to make the jump. I know you didn't like my scenario of NIL donors pulling strings on players, and I admit is was an unlikely thing to happen, but we can both think of other scenarios that can screw over the athletes. Sadly, right now, the NCAA has little power and gumption to do anything about the way things are heading.


oh, they would benefit
by jt  (2023-01-29 02:14:56)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

some of those FCS schools would kill them, however. NDSU and UND are legit. Same with Montana and Montana State, and there are several others (SEMO, UT-Martin, Sac State).

Truth is, I know several kids in the 25 and 26 classes and we've talked about it already; if you want to go somewhere where you'll grow as an athlete, get good coaching, and play against good competition on Saturday (and not Tues and Wed), you're much better off in FCS. There are some real high level programs with very good coaching out there.

MAC and Conference USA are just whoring their athletes out there and don't give a fuck.


I won't argue...
by Wass  (2023-01-29 10:05:20)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

...that there are some very good FCS teams who would handle teams in the MAC and C-USA. I just think it's better than playing on weekdays and when they aren't playing such days, they are getting smoked by an SEC or B1G team. Sure, an upset occasionally happens, but that isn't the point. I think the difference in talent will widen the gulf in talent between Power 5 and Group of 5 talent as well. Now, I am not saying this will convince the powers that be in the Group of 5 conferences to make a move to the FCS, but it sure would be a legit excuse to make such a move. It's the money (TV money and money they get from the Power 5 team they are playing) that will keep the status quo.