Elon going independent in football this year.

[TractorApp]

If 14 teams, boot Davidson as they are actually non-scholarship and more like a D3. Then 13 teams, 12 game season.

That said, I like the SBC only playing teams in the East Divison and then the SBC East and SBC West play a CCG if possible. If. Other conferences do the same, we should be able to put together 6 or 8 close by schools for a complete schedule with minimal travel.

[TractorApp]

If 14 teams, boot Davidson as they are actually non-scholarship and more like a D3. Then 13 teams, 12 game season.

That said, I like the SBC only playing teams in the East Divison and then the SBC East and SBC West play a CCG if possible. If Other conferences do the same, we should be able to put together 6 or 8 close by schools for a complete schedule with minimal travel.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

If 14 teams, boot Davidson as they are actually non-scholarship and more like a D3. Then 13 teams, 12 game season.

That said, I like the SBC only playing teams in the East Divison and then the SBC East and SBC West play a CCG if possible. If. Other conferences do the same, we should be able to put together 6 or 8 close by schools for a complete schedule with minimal travel.

Both could work but for the first option since it is not home and home there would need to be some money changing hands to offset the travel costs, and I would want some assurance the Prig 5 schools are not get more games at home but everyone has 6 home and 6 away.

The second option could work, but that does get into overnight stays and there goes the cost.

I am thinking absolute minimum costs but still be competitive football so having App travel to L-R would be very cheap but very lopsided. Traveling to the Triad would still be cheap enough but a lot more competitive football. The cost restraints being absolute minimum would be due to the no crowd or under a 1,000 for social distance reasons. A crowd of even 500 could spread out in KBS and at $50 a ticket that could raise $25,000 which should cover a couple of buses and meals for a few away games and pay the referees and officials. The games may not make money but at least they would not be a drain on the finances either.

[T-Dog]

JMU is also still pursuing a football season.

Could that be done in one day? Bus up in the morning play and bus back. A meal on the way up and on the way back and the bus cost would be the expense for either team.

It's a roughly 5-hour drive. Basically the same as driving from Boone to Wilmington. I'm sure JMU would be OK staying one night.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

JMU is also still pursuing a football season.

Could that be done in one day? Bus up in the morning play and bus back. A meal on the way up and on the way back and the bus cost would be the expense for either team.

It's a roughly 5-hour drive. Basically the same as driving from Boone to Wilmington. I'm sure JMU would be OK staying one night.

Part of my thought on all of this was avoiding the cost of hotels and they can't stay open for free but they might be willing to do something for cheaper than normal just to get some revenue. A 5 hour trip would be hard to pull off and play ball but if they came on a Friday the game could start early before they head back Saturday evening.

[APPRIDE]

What if we played every FBS team in the state home-and-home for 12 games and avoided any FCS teams?

There are seven FBS teams in the state so it's six opponents that would be 12 games if each was home at home and again thanking without any crowds so stadium size would be a non-issue.

It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, a workable, cost effective solution to turn a horrible situation into an extreme positive. It would generate so much buzz around the state and really the whole country if we were one of just a few states to do it. And its actually something to play for instead of glorified exhibition games.

[asu1978]

We're FBS, not FCS,no fElon!!!

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

We're FBS, not FCS,no fElon!!!

If the only way to have a season was to hit a good many FCS schools in the state or not have a season would you change your mind?

[AppStFan1]

JMU is also still pursuing a football season.

Believe it or not but if I had to pick between JMU or Elon I rather play JMU. However, I refuse to go back to Burlington or even JMU unless they are FBS. You don't play road games to FCS teams when you are FBS.

Think about this. Crowd is just 6-8k and we walk in there already having a hard time getting up for a lower game but now you combine the fact there is no crowd and it is the perfect storm for an upset. They can come to Boone but we would be stupid to go to their places. There is nothing to gain from it. I rather have a shortened season than do that. 10 games would not be an awful thing. We would also have the SBC title game, if we handle our business. However, we lose to one of those teams on the road and we can forget being ranked again for a long time.

I was thinking about this with no crowds or maybe 1,000 at best so there would be no money to share. They pay their own cost to come to Boone and we would do the same in return and there are two games.

Also this was proposed as a "what if" if the ONLY course of action was to stay in state and there was no SBC games and no crowds or VERY small crowds of a few 100 or 1,000 at most.

I'm hearing the 2 main reasons the Big Ten did what they did is so they don't have to pay a lot of money to teams for games with revenue down big time and to give them a few weeks open to play with in case a team has positive tests and needs to skip a week.

We won't make hardly anything if we host Elon. Their atmosphere is just not worth the risk of playing a flat game where we look awful at their place. I get the argument that it is a game where we can play our backups but we had a few of those guys in the SBC last year and would expect the same this year. Because of that I am actually 100% fine with playing just league games and Wake Forest this year. The Ivy League plays 10 games and we use to play just 11 so I don't see the benefit to playing Elon. It is just a risk for us and benefits them.

[AppStFan1]

We're FBS, not FCS,no fElon!!!

If the only way to have a season was to hit a good many FCS schools in the state or not have a season would you change your mind?

I love football as much as the rest of you but if we can't play for a SBC title and bowl game let me ask you this. Is playing FCS only such as Elon, ETSU, WCU, etc worth the risk health wise and from a possible upset (playing down to competition every week) to you? Our players won't get excited and especially after a 40-50 point win the first game we are really going to have a tough time getting our team up for the rematch.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

I'm hearing the 2 main reasons the Big Ten did what they did is so they don't have to pay a lot of money to teams for games with revenue down big time and to give them a few weeks open to play with in case a team has positive tests and needs to skip a week.

We won't make hardly anything if we host Elon. Their atmosphere is just not worth the risk of playing a flat game where we look awful at their place. I get the argument that it is a game where we can play our backups but we had a few of those guys in the SBC last year and would expect the same this year. Because of that I am actually 100% fine with playing just league games and Wake Forest this year. The Ivy League plays 10 games and we use to play just 11 so I don't see the benefit to playing Elon. It is just a risk for us and benefits them.

My scenario was based on SBC dropping conf games but allowing teams to make up a schedule if they chose AND with no crowds so no gate revenue or only enough gate to cover the away games that would not involve hotel stays. Basically bus to a stadium play the game and bus home with no money exchanging hands. The return trip later in the year would be the pay back.

If things are that bad I doubt we have a season due to player and staff safety concerns, but I could also see a situation (all be it very slim chance) where games are allowed but with no crowds or many a few hundred at most in a stadium. With those revenues one would need to reduce cost to bare minimum meaning a bus ride there and home on the same day and no money exchanging hands. If there is no money exchanging hands then there would need to be a home and home to satisfy both schools schedule needs. If we had this with an Elon but was not willing to return the favor in an empty stadium then we are down two games and they could easily go off and have a complete schedule with the FCS teams in the state and tell us to f' off. This is a case where we would need each other, unless the FBS did their own thing and the same attitude you have with Elon is likely held by Duke Wake CHeat and State. The G5 schools would need either the Prig 5 or the FCS to buy in or we get f'ed in the middle.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

We're FBS, not FCS,no fElon!!!

If the only way to have a season was to hit a good many FCS schools in the state or not have a season would you change your mind?

I love football as much as the rest of you but if we can't play for a SBC title and bowl game let me ask you this. Is playing FCS only such as Elon, ETSU, WCU, etc worth the risk health wise and from a possible upset (playing down to competition every week) to you? Our players won't get excited and especially after a 40-50 point win the first game we are really going to have a tough time getting our team up for the rematch.

I would like to think that Charlotte and ECU would go in on this as every school would be doing the same bus to a game then play and bus home. So that would be 4 games there. You are correct that it would be hard to get up for a bunch of FCS games. Even if we could not get all the Prig5 if we pick up one team (Wake) that would get us to 6 games. I wonder what the pulse of the G5 teams would be of the seniors knowing this is there last chance to play organized football for most of them vs the health risk (above and beyond normal short and long term injuries) vs not playing at all.

[AppStFan1]

I'm hearing the 2 main reasons the Big Ten did what they did is so they don't have to pay a lot of money to teams for games with revenue down big time and to give them a few weeks open to play with in case a team has positive tests and needs to skip a week.

We won't make hardly anything if we host Elon. Their atmosphere is just not worth the risk of playing a flat game where we look awful at their place. I get the argument that it is a game where we can play our backups but we had a few of those guys in the SBC last year and would expect the same this year. Because of that I am actually 100% fine with playing just league games and Wake Forest this year. The Ivy League plays 10 games and we use to play just 11 so I don't see the benefit to playing Elon. It is just a risk for us and benefits them.

My scenario was based on SBC dropping conf games but allowing teams to make up a schedule if they chose AND with no crowds so no gate revenue or only enough gate to cover the away games that would not involve hotel stays. Basically bus to a stadium play the game and bus home with no money exchanging hands. The return trip later in the year would be the pay back.

If things are that bad I doubt we have a season due to player and staff safety concerns, but I could also see a situation (all be it very slim chance) where games are allowed but with no crowds or many a few hundred at most in a stadium. With those revenues one would need to reduce cost to bare minimum meaning a bus ride there and home on the same day and no money exchanging hands. If there is no money exchanging hands then there would need to be a home and home to satisfy both schools schedule needs. If we had this with an Elon but was not willing to return the favor in an empty stadium then we are down two games and they could easily go off and have a complete schedule with the FCS teams in the state and tell us to f' off. This is a case where we would need each other, unless the FBS did their own thing and the same attitude you have with Elon is likely held by Duke Wake CHeat and State. The G5 schools would need either the Prig 5 or the FCS to buy in or we get f'ed in the middle.

If it is so bad that our league cancels and we can't get FBS games then no I would not risk our players and play a season against FCS teams. Imagine one of our guys suffering a season or career-ending knee injury just to play meaningless games in what are essentially suppose to be scrimmages? If your scenario plays out then I have no desire to do that. Elon can play D2 or FCS teams but not us and there is certainly no scenario where going to Burlington is okay.

[AppStFan1]

We're FBS, not FCS,no fElon!!!

If the only way to have a season was to hit a good many FCS schools in the state or not have a season would you change your mind?

I love football as much as the rest of you but if we can't play for a SBC title and bowl game let me ask you this. Is playing FCS only such as Elon, ETSU, WCU, etc worth the risk health wise and from a possible upset (playing down to competition every week) to you? Our players won't get excited and especially after a 40-50 point win the first game we are really going to have a tough time getting our team up for the rematch.

I would like to think that Charlotte and ECU would go in on this as every school would be doing the same bus to a game then play and bus home. So that would be 4 games there. You are correct that it would be hard to get up for a bunch of FCS games. Even if we could not get all the Prig5 if we pick up one team (Wake) that would get us to 6 games. I wonder what the pulse of the G5 teams would be of the seniors knowing this is there last chance to play organized football for most of them vs the health risk (above and beyond normal short and long term injuries) vs not playing at all.

I would essentially play an independent season with other FBS teams only but still not a big fan of that. I say cancel the season if our league does so. I expect the SBC to do whatever the SEC does. If the SEC cancels then we need to cancel. If so, I want to reschedule Wisconsin and Wake Forest and not ask for a payout now. We really need these P5 games and with all the trouble Gillin is having I think we need to do what we can to preserve those two games if in future years.

If we cancel the season then as for the seniors I think the NCAA would need to step in and allow them to return with no penalty for going over on scholarships for just seniors only. I'm not sure on all details but I don't see any benefit or worthy risk for playing a FCS schedule or even independent schedule. There is absolutely no reason to play at Elon regardless. Just not willing to give them that. Lose lose situation for us.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

If it is so bad that our league cancels and we can't get FBS games then no I would not risk our players and play a season against FCS teams. Imagine one of our guys suffering a season or career-ending knee injury just to play meaningless games in what are essentially suppose to be scrimmages? If your scenario plays out then I have no desire to do that. Elon can play D2 or FCS teams but not us and there is certainly no scenario where going to Burlington is okay.

Fair enough. It was why I tossed this out there to measure opinions.

I would be happy with empty stadiums and a schedule of Home-Home ECU,UNCC, WCU, Elon, A&T if the Prig 5 schools in the state would not buy-in to this AND the players were on board AND we could sell enough TV ads and/or a few hundred tickets so travel cost could be covered and at least the total cost of each game was covered without anyone going deeper in the hole financially.

I would prefer a FBS only Home and Home as that could bring in more ad revenue and the larger stadiums might could sell a few more tickets as well but still keep the crowds basically away.

A four game season with H-H with ECU and UNCC would at least let us crown a G5 champion and that could bring in a TV audience in the state at-least (likely streaming.) One game every 3 weeks or so with quarantine times between games if needed.

It is all speculation and day-dreaming. If things are so bad we can't have a decent crowd in the stadiums then I assume it is not going to be considered safe for players and staff and that will shut it all down (which I think is what is going to happen for football.)

And we will see some current seniors back in 2021 and some will move on with life outside of college football.

[AppStFan1]

If it is so bad that our league cancels and we can't get FBS games then no I would not risk our players and play a season against FCS teams. Imagine one of our guys suffering a season or career-ending knee injury just to play meaningless games in what are essentially suppose to be scrimmages? If your scenario plays out then I have no desire to do that. Elon can play D2 or FCS teams but not us and there is certainly no scenario where going to Burlington is okay.

Fair enough. It was why I tossed this out there to measure opinions.

I would be happy with empty stadiums and a schedule of Home-Home ECU,UNCC, WCU, Elon, A&T if the Prig 5 schools in the state would not buy-in to this AND the players were on board AND we could sell enough TV ads and/or a few hundred tickets so travel cost could be covered and at least the total cost of each game was covered without anyone going deeper in the hole financially.

I would prefer a FBS only Home and Home as that could bring in more ad revenue and the larger stadiums might could sell a few more tickets as well but still keep the crowds basically away.

A four game season with H-H with ECU and UNCC would at least let us crown a G5 champion and that could bring in a TV audience in the state at-least (likely streaming.) One game every 3 weeks or so with quarantine times between games if needed.

It is all speculation and day-dreaming. If things are so bad we can't have a decent crowd in the stadiums then I assume it is not going to be considered safe for players and staff and that will shut it all down (which I think is what is going to happen for football.)

And we will see some current seniors back in 2021 and some will move on with life outside of college football.

Because of how the season ended last year we could not play and still be considered the best G5 team in the state. If our league cancels then I don't see all of your "what ifs" happening. Why go from having the goal of a NY6 to just beating NC A&T, Elon, Charlotte, etc twice? That gives them a chance to prove something big and is not something that we need to prove. Everyone knows we are the best G5 in NC right now.

I don't see Gillin doing your scenario anyway. I'm just praying we have at least a conference season.

[pop5app]

Please, can we stop with the fcs stuff!

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

Please, can we stop with the fcs stuff!

Is that a question or a demand?

Just some speculative what-ifs that message boards are designed for to talk about in the off-season. Don't worry, if it gets so bad we can't have some crowds at games we are not going to have a season.

[AppStFan1]

Please, can we stop with the fcs stuff!

Is that a question or a demand?

Just some speculative what-ifs that message boards are designed for to talk about in the off-season. Don't worry, if it gets so bad we can't have some crowds at games we are not going to have a season.

I know ADs want a home game and a guaranteed win but for a team like us we need to look at strength of schedule. I would rather schedule Alabama and Clemson in the same year than have NC A&T and Elon in the same year. We would get more credit with a 10 point loss to those teams than we will with a 40 point win against the FCS. I thought we moved up to play FBS schedules and better teams. We could have stayed in the SoCon to play Elon and NC A&T. lol

[AppinVA]

Switching out our FCS team for another is okay. But just that one.