How long do you see us in the Sunbelt?

[WVAPPeer]

I was more concerned being stuck in the SoCon than I am with the SBC.

Best point yet ---

[WVAPPeer]

Another question I have is --- Why do some of you guys feel that FCS is in trouble? - I am not questioning anyone's opinion just asking what is driving your opinion? It seems that there is more parity in FCS and several conferences (certainly not the SoCon) are much stronger ---

This is one of the areas I still disagree with the FBS or nothing crowd. The FCS top 25 landscape looks the same as it has in recent memory ( minus App and GaSo). This is still very relevant football to the respective fan bases. The SoCon is less relevant for sure but as a whole I see nothing to suggest FCS is a wasteland.

To keep this from getting jacked into a FBS vs FCS dscussion, there is no question in my mind we did the right thing.

From everyone I have spoken to, the problem in FCS has nothing to do with competition on the FCS level. It's still relevant. It is, as we have all said, about the $. Not just losing the money games,but that is a big factor. The point is this, the FCS, aside from a few schools, has very few outside sources of funds (namely TV and advertising income). I see the FCS becoming a landscape dominated by small private schools where funds are not scarce. As the P5 grows, the G5 will get the more of what's left. Then of course, there is the rising costs. As I and others have stated, there will have to be changes made to account for those costs and football programs that are barely breaking even on average, are dead in the crosshairs. I love the playoffs, but as someone stated, they do lose money. DII has seen its share of programs joining their ranks to save costs from FCS (WSSU). I loved FCS football, but I think we made the only decision that was feasible. I hope it survives and thrives,but the outlook is dim.

I see your points and all of us know everything is connected to $$$ - But again if you look at most of the top teams in the FCS they are still non-privates --- ND State, Montana, Montana St, No Iowa, UNH, Coastal, Ill St, E KY, Delaware, Chatty, Youngstown, So Ill, Jax St, McNeese St., etc. --- Will these teams allow themselves to be "taken over" by the Richmonds, W&Ms, Furmans, Woffords? - I don't see that because the Public Schools rule the football --- Interesting dynamics and I think it will be interesting to see how this all plays out but at Saint alludes - Not our problem ---

[appfanz]

Listening to local sports radio here in Charleston yesterday and they are talking about Charleston Southern''s chances of making the FCS playoffs. They were saying there is a chance that the Big South will get 2 teams in this year because "the SoCon is so bad this year". Makes me glad we are gone.

[bcoach]

Something we fail to mention is that the SOCON is so bad BECAUSE we are gone.

[Saint3333]

We were very fortunate that GS joined the SoCon a couple years before Marshall left from a SOS perspective. Now with App and GS gone and Furman a shadow of what they once were you're left with a Wofford program that going to be a top 10 team every fourth year and UTC to carry the banner. I think WCU is improving and Mercer may look like the old Furman in five years than Furman will be able to, fitting Lamb may say. Good luck to them I would like to see the SoCon be the best in the FCS again, but it is highly unlikely they break the top three anytime soon.

Either way we are in a better position for what our university is looking for from our athletic department.

[NewApp]

Another question I have is --- Why do some of you guys feel that FCS is in trouble? - I am not questioning anyone's opinion just asking what is driving your opinion? It seems that there is more parity in FCS and several conferences (certainly not the SoCon) are much stronger ---

This is one of the areas I still disagree with the FBS or nothing crowd. The FCS top 25 landscape looks the same as it has in recent memory ( minus App and GaSo). This is still very relevant football to the respective fan bases. The SoCon is less relevant for sure but as a whole I see nothing to suggest FCS is a wasteland.

To keep this from getting jacked into a FBS vs FCS dscussion, there is no question in my mind we did the right thing.[/quote

From everyone I have spoken to, the problem in FCS has nothing to do with competition on the FCS level. It's still relevant. It is, as we have all said, about the $. Not just losing the money games,but that is a big factor. The point is this, the FCS, aside from a few schools, has very few outside sources of funds (namely TV and advertising income). I see the FCS becoming a landscape dominated by small private schools where funds are not scarce. As the P5 grows, the G5 will get the more of what's left. Then of course, there is the rising costs. As I and others have stated, there will have to be changes made to account for those costs and football programs that are barely breaking even on average, are dead in the crosshairs. I love the playoffs, but as someone stated, they do lose money. DII has seen its share of programs joining their ranks to save costs from FCS (WSSU). I loved FCS football, but I think we made the only decision that was feasible. I hope it survives and thrives,but the outlook is dim.

I see your points and all of us know everything is connected to $$$ - But again if you look at most of the top teams in the FCS they are still non-privates --- ND State, Montana, Montana St, No Iowa, UNH, Coastal, Ill St, E KY, Delaware, Chatty, Youngstown, So Ill, Jax St, McNeese St., etc. --- Will these teams allow themselves to be "taken over" by the Richmonds, W&Ms, Furmans, Woffords? - I don't see that because the Public Schools rule the football --- Interesting dynamics and I think it will be interesting to see how this all plays out but at Saint alludes - Not our problem ---

FWIW, the College of William and Mary is public, you know.

[ASUMountaineer]

don't see us leaving for awhile. i feel like we're in a good spot right now. with ecu no longer in the cusa i don't get the appeal of that conference, and i doubt they're looking to expand anytime soon anyways. can't think of a move off the top of my head i could see happening anytime soon.

Only way a move happens in the near future is if the G5 conferences collectively decide that the only way to make ends meet is to align geographically. I don't see conferences or schools setting egos aside easily, so I'm not banking on it. I'm assuming App is in the SBC for a long duration even if the SBC doesn't look the same during that time.

[bigdaddyg]

I have seen posted on this and other threads the idea, suggestion of a G5 playoff. I have even raised the idea. I am not necessarily in favor of it. I have just broached the subject to see what others think. While a G5 playoff would not mirror the FCS playoff exactly, there would be similarities. One of the biggest concerns would have to be attendance. It is a given that most if not all of a G5 playoff "season" would occur from post-Thanksgiving into December. Major cons include potential for bad weather at most sites, lack of student attendance due to kids being out for Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, added travel expense and low TV ratings. Not much in the way of pros. Many of us have been to the first rounders at the Rock during the FCS playoff days and were amoung crowds in the low teens. At least those early round FCS games were somewhat regionalized to allow bus travel. I remember reading that we took a financial hit for each of the championships due to extended travel expense and lower retained gate due to the NCAA getting a bigger piece of the pie. It will certainly interesting to see what the landscape will be in the next few years. I can see G5 conferences dropping and new ones forming. I would personally love to see a new conference with teams closer to home (Marshall, UNCC, JMU, GSU, etc.). The level of competition could be as strong or stronger than the Sunbelt, rivalries would be more intense, travel expenses reduced for all.

[appstate2007]

I really don't get why people won't APP out of the SBC. To me the SBC is the perfect conference for us. Yes C-USA might have a few closer travel games (UNCC, ODU, MTSU), but once the SBC adds another Eastern team (Liberty, EKU, CCU, etc) it will split into divisions and most travel games would be 5 hours or less. However from a competition standpoint , what other conference could two FCS transition teams in year one come in and either win or finish in the top 3-5 (If app wins out)? APP and GS has a chance to make a bigger name and impact in FBS football by being in SBC.