SunBelt and Bowls

[WVAPPeer]

I know some of you guys are in-tune with SBC news, updates and happenings - is there any indication that the conference will be able to upgrade bowl tie-ins? - I know it is something I have complained about for a couple of years -
I can only imagine our outbursts if we went undefeated - conference champions - and ranked 13th and we get to play Liberty? I feel for Coastal and really Louisiana is probably worst - they get Texas San Antonio who lost 4 games -

i feel we were really shortchanged last year but the situation with Coastal is worse in my opinion -
Thoughts

[Tatedc]

The Pollsters give us more respect than we give them credit for. They have ranked 3 sun belt teams this year.

But the bowl ties are absolute garbage. If you dont make a NY6 bowl, its the same general quality of opponent whether you are undefeated or 6-6.

App has made 6 straight bowls, and none of our bowl opponents except Toledo in 2017 were one of the top 4 teams we played in those seasons.

[Saint3333]

Not just the SBC.

Three P5 vs G5 bowls. One contracted, then vs 3-7 Miss St and 2-8 S Car.

Get prepared for a full court press towards a G5 playoff, the gap between the upper G5ers and second tier P5s (non top ten teams) is getting too close for comfort.

[WVAPPeer]

Do you see a G5 playoff anytime soon?

[APP93]

This year was easier then any year to put a G5 in and it did not happen...tells me all I need to know, it will never happen. unless they expand to 8 and guarantee at least 1 spot.

Also, seems like AAC has the easiest path to NY6 compared to any other G5. I know I'm starting the obvious, but other than Boise St., it seems that is the first glass ceiling to break for SB, MAC & CUSA...I'm sorry, but CCU has a better resume than Cincy...also, App had as good a resume as Memphis did last year, yet neither team got a sniff.

[bigdaddyg]

I think the fact that within what was “FBS” level college football versus “FCS” has indicated that the divide won’t ever close. I totally get that most P5’s have more money and resources but at least half of those programs aren’t as good as the top 5 or so G5’s. If they really wanted to create real separation there would be a true Power conference of 12 teams to include Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, ND, Florida, and 7 other perennial big boys. Let them play each other and the top team is the National Champion. The other 120 FBS teams can have an equal shot at the college football championship played by regular teams.

[Appstrong]

Ive heard people float ideas of a system where G5 schools eliminate out of conference games during the regular season, and the 5 conference champs and one at large team (based on G5 rankings) compete for a spot in a 8 team CFP. Of course the G5 team will probably always be seeded 8th, but at least it is a chance. You would be looking at 14-15 games max to win it all. It’s highly unlikely a G5 could conquer that system, and some teams may not like giving up out of conference rivalries, but it’s better than no chance. Would it be worth giving up what we have in the current system for this?

[Saint3333]

I’d set the under/over for a G5 playoff at three years.

Not a fan, wish we’d get more P5/G5 bowl matchups but that only provides opportunities to prove we are closer. Pairing them with terrible P5s give them an opportunity to say see they can’t beat our weakest, if they lose, so what they’re terrible this year.

[kornegaylw]

I see the future a but differently b/c I think the NCAA is going to witness the general fatigue of seeing the same teams in the CFP so they actually up the CFP to 8 to appease the masses.

So...8 team playoff
Teams 1-5: P5 conference champ
Team 6-7: Best G5 Conf Champs
Team 8: At large P5 bid for best P5 that didnt win their conference.

Round 1 games are played regionally
Round 2 games are played in a super regional
Title game is played wherever.

This gives conferences legitimacy, only adds 1 additional game to a teams schedule and is both equal and equitable.

[hapapp]

The bowl games are ranked best to worst in this article. Notice where the Sun Belt bowls are ranked.

https://www.reportdoor.com/ranking-the- ... -to-worst/

[Bootsy]

There's one part of me that's disappointed UL didn't rate a better bowl matchup.

And there's the other part of me that thinks it's hilarious Coastal and Liberty end their seasons facing off in a bowl game. 2020 Karma?

[BambooRdApp]

I am not sure that if the system went to 8 team playoff that the selection process would have a process to guarantee certain teams in the playoff such as a G5 conference winner if it is an 8 team playoff. The selection committee in most years would go SEC champ 1, SEC runner up 2, SEC non championship team if 1 or 2 losses, 3, Little 10 champ 4, Little 10 runner up 5, PAC 12 champ 6, Overrated 12 champ 7...then runner up of one of the ACC, PAC 12, Big 12 conferences. As seen by selection show, G5 did not get any credibility. They may say Cincy was given some consideration in top 8... But if they went to 8 teams, when they really have to make a decision in reality and not theory, I believe they go P5 everytime. IMO, a G5 5 team would have to go undefeated and have all P5 nonconference games against P5 teams thst finish upper half in the respective conference standings to even get consideration in 8 team playoff. G5 is probably not going to get opportunity unless it is 16 team playoff. Just my opinion
And then you have Notre Dame to add to mix above. Given they have divine intervention assisting them into the playoff, I am sure there will be the ND rule included in an 8 team playoff if 8 teams.

[Stonewall]

G5 playoff =FCS/1AA .No thanks.

[kornegaylw]

I am not sure that if the system went to 8 team playoff that the selection process would have a process to guarantee certain teams in the playoff such as a G5 conference winner if it is an 8 team playoff. The selection committee in most years would go SEC champ 1, SEC runner up 2, SEC non championship team if 1 or 2 losses, 3, Little 10 champ 4, Little 10 runner up 5, PAC 12 champ 6, Overrated 12 champ 7...then runner up of one of the ACC, PAC 12, Big 12 conferences. As seen by selection show, G5 did not get any credibility. They may say Cincy was given some consideration in top 8... But if they went to 8 teams, when they really have to make a decision in reality and not theory, I believe they go P5 everytime. IMO, a G5 5 team would have to go undefeated and have all P5 nonconference games against P5 teams thst finish upper half in the respective conference standings to even get consideration in 8 team playoff. G5 is probably not going to get opportunity unless it is 16 team playoff. Just my opinion
And then you have Notre Dame to add to mix above. Given they have divine intervention assisting them into the playoff, I am sure there will be the ND rule included in an 8 team playoff if 8 teams.

The skeptic in me agrees with you but I would imagine that all the P5s are going to require equal representation in an 8 team playoff with defined selection criteria for CFP selection. So including 3 SEC teams in the CFP won't fly with the Big10/ACC. Also Im getting the impression the selection committee is more concerned by ratings...G5 teams are getting more attention than ever in bigger bowls...if the CFP is expanded to 8 then I do see G5s getting love considering the big name teams will still get included brining in the viewers.

[WVAPPeer]

G5 playoff =FCS/1AA .No thanks.

OK - I get your point but if nothing changes are you going to be happy knowing no matter how great a season App has we will always be relegated to a 3rd tier bowl against a so-so G5 opponent?

[kornegaylw]

G5 playoff =FCS/1AA .No thanks.

OK - I get your point but if nothing changes are you going to be happy knowing no matter how great a season App has we will always be relegated to a 3rd tier bowl against a so-so G5 opponent?

Agreed but do you think these teams will agree to a G5 playoff?...i don't think so
1. Cincy
2. Memphis
3. UCF
4. Bosie St
5. Appalachian
6. BYU
7. ULL
8. Army
9. Navy
10. BYU

[Appst86]

I think there should be a 12 team playoff. All 10 D1 conf champs and two at-large. Have the committee rank the 12 teams after conf championship weekend. Top 4 seeds get a bye during week one. There would be some blowouts in the early rounds but we have blowouts now. Eventually the 4-5 star recruits will not be so heavily concentrated at 6-8 schools.

[JMappfan5]

No G5 playoff please. I wouldn't mind seeing the 4 G5 Conf Champs that did not earn NY6 game, match-up in Bowl Games. If we can't get a legitimate shot at a P5. Just need better Bowl tie-ins.

[Appst86]

G5 playoff =FCS/1AA .No thanks.

OK - I get your point but if nothing changes are you going to be happy knowing no matter how great a season App has we will always be relegated to a 3rd tier bowl against a so-so G5 opponent?

Agreed but do you think these teams will agree to a G5 playoff?...i don't think so
1. Cincy
2. Memphis
3. UCF
4. Bosie St
5. Appalachian
6. BYU
7. ULL
8. Army
9. Navy
10. BYU

We should never agree to a G5 playoff. It is essentially going back to 1-AA. I was weary of moving to the Sunbelt when we made the jump until someone explained that we were moving from the top of irrelevant football to the bottom of relevant football. I don't want App to be irrelevant again.

[WVAPPeer]

True - but if all G5s agree it wouldn't be irrelevant - as mentioned = with the list above
1. Cincy
2. Memphis
3. UCF
4. Bosie St
5. Appalachian
6. BYU
7. ULL
8. Army
9. Navy
10. BYU

Would then all of these teams plus others like - SMU, Houston, ECU, Tulsa, Tulane, Marshall, SD and SJ States, Coastal, GaSo and someone from the MAC be irrelevant? - Who are they actually relevant to now - no one but us (G5)