I have never really understood all of the requirements to operate at the FBS level (versus FCS). I know it comes down to sponsored sports, number of scholarships and attendance. The attendance one baffles me somewhat. I looked at the 2014 results for all of the Sunbelt schools. Unless I am missing something Idaho and NMS both had average home attendance figures well below the 15K threshold. Is there some stipulation that requires certain attendance numbers to remain FBS? As a side note, in light of the UAB discussion, how in the world do these two programs stay afloat? They must have massive booster contributions. Could there exist any possible scenario where the NCAA busts both programs down to FCS if they don't increase home attendance or is it a case of once you are in you are in? If it wasn't for the GSU game GA State would have probably been in the same boat.

The attendance requirement (From what I understand) only applies to FCS schools wanting to move to FBS. Once you are FBS then attendance is not an NCAA issue for staying FBS. The reason why Ga. State, UNCC, and other schools have been able to get into FBS without meeting the attendance requirement is that they joined a FBS conferences prior to starting FB. Therefore they were already in FBS conference so when they started FB they were able to be FBS. Just had to start the team and play a year of FCS as a Indy before being fully FBS. This is why I think the SBC needs to add some of these good BB schools that are exploring FB options. Example is Florida Gulf Coast. They have a really good BB program and are in the process of exploring FB. If the SBC went ahead and invited them now, then they would not have to have the attendance rule come into effect.

To maintain an FBS program you must average 15,000 per attendance or paid tickets per game once every two years

bigdaddyg wrote:Could there exist any possible scenario where the NCAA busts both programs down to FCS if they don't increase home attendance or is it a case of once you are in you are in? If it wasn't for the GSU game GA State would have probably been in the same boat.

The NCAA has never enforced its attendance regulations because they're unenforceable. Schools can report whatever attendance they choose. The NCAA has no reliable mechanism to verify ticket sales. The FCS playoffs were different because those tickets technically were owned by the NCAA and schools like App had to account for each one. Imagine, back in the days when Duke's attendance in football approached the threshold, the consternation it would cause if the NCAA tried to force Duke to move to a lower classification.

This regulation is a paper tiger only. No one in college athletics takes it seriously.

bcoach wrote:To maintain an FBS program you must average 15,000 per attendance or paid tickets per game once every two years

That is how I interpreted the rule. If that is the case are Idaho and NMS in danger of being busted back down in ranking?

bigdaddyg wrote:

bcoach wrote:To maintain an FBS program you must average 15,000 per attendance or paid tickets per game once every two years

That is how I interpreted the rule. If that is the case are Idaho and NMS in danger of being busted back down in ranking?

As we have learned in this country you don't have to pay attention to rules, they are just there. Some schools do follow those rules though. One of the directional schools in Michigan has a corporation that has been buying enough tickets to keep them legal.

I remember a few years back where one of the MAC schools (one of the directional Michgans maybe?) was in trouble with the NCAA when it came to the attendance. So they ended up selling a lot of tickets to one of their major sponsors and counted it toward their attendance, even though the tickets, or most of the tickets, were not used. That pushed over the 15k minimum and it wasn't an issue anymore.

kiddbrewer wrote:I remember a few years back where one of the MAC schools (one of the directional Michgans maybe?) was in trouble with the NCAA when it came to the attendance. So they ended up selling a lot of tickets to one of their major sponsors and counted it toward their attendance, even though the tickets, or most of the tickets, were not used. That pushed over the 15k minimum and it wasn't an issue anymore.

That was probably the same example.

bcoach wrote:

kiddbrewer wrote:I remember a few years back where one of the MAC schools (one of the directional Michgans maybe?) was in trouble with the NCAA when it came to the attendance. So they ended up selling a lot of tickets to one of their major sponsors and counted it toward their attendance, even though the tickets, or most of the tickets, were not used. That pushed over the 15k minimum and it wasn't an issue anymore.

That was probably the same example.

Yup, you're right. I didn't read your post completely.