Our 2014 Home schedule = Ugh

[firemoose]

I'll just throw this out there. I am going to guess that it is not as much people missing the SOCON as it is the FCS format. I think that if we had a playoff system and a NC at our new G5 level that most who miss the SOCON would be happy. I really think that is more the problem than the SOCON. Then again I could be wrong. Right?

bcoach, I think you are absolutely correct, and hope that as the shakeup within the BCS level finalizes we end up in a division that actually has a playoff similar to what we've grown accustomed. The big conferences are going to control the 4 team playoff and make sure that everyone else is excluded. It would be to the benefit of the smaller conferences, many of which play excellent football, to have their own realistic goal to pursue. Truly believe that as we grow into our new conference and level, we will be competitive.

You guys are both right. That is exactly my frustration to the whole move. I'm not opposed to the move. I'm opposed to never playing a meaningful championship game again.

Just give it a few years, less if the P5 get their way, and we'll be right back there with a full playoff only with peer schools closer to our size. Something is going to happen once all the monkey wrenches get thrown in and are accounted for. Each one has to be accessed by the P5 and G5 conferences and once they figure them out they adjust plans accordingly. We'll know in less than five.

[1ASU78]

Seemed like that football stayed in the air forever before dropping between the goal posts. Wasn't that Gary Davis who kicked it? IIRC, there was one heck of a tail wind.[/quote]

Right! it was like that football defied gravity. Jerry Harmon but I didn't remember him being from Boone. Looking forward to home & homes again hopefully.

[WVAPPeer]

I'll just throw this out there. I am going to guess that it is not as much people missing the SOCON as it is the FCS format. I think that if we had a playoff system and a NC at our new G5 level that most who miss the SOCON would be happy. I really think that is more the problem than the SOCON. Then again I could be wrong. Right?

bcoach, I think you are absolutely correct, and hope that as the shakeup within the BCS level finalizes we end up in a division that actually has a playoff similar to what we've grown accustomed. The big conferences are going to control the 4 team playoff and make sure that everyone else is excluded. It would be to the benefit of the smaller conferences, many of which play excellent football, to have their own realistic goal to pursue. Truly believe that as we grow into our new conference and level, we will be competitive.

You guys are both right. That is exactly my frustration to the whole move. I'm not opposed to the move. I'm opposed to never playing a meaningful championship game again.

Just give it a few years, less if the P5 get their way, and we'll be right back there with a full playoff only with peer schools closer to our size. Something is going to happen once all the monkey wrenches get thrown in and are accounted for. Each one has to be accessed by the P5 and G5 conferences and once they figure them out they adjust plans accordingly. We'll know in less than five.

Moose - you've been telling me this for some time and I believe you and hope you correct - my question to you is this: if our tier of teams goes to a playoff format what happens to those 125 bowl games? and hasn't the NCAA always said they want to protect the bowls? - they are doing that with the playoffs coming this season for the "big boys" ---

[ASUMountaineer]

Playing for a "meaningful championship"?

As much as I love our National Championships in FCS, the vast majority of college football fans would NOT call that a "meaningful championship game". That is why ESPN gives it all of 2 min recap hours after the NC game. Let's face it, how many people can name the winners of AAA minor league baseball championship game last year?

you know what i mean. Who cares what ESPN says. Those championships are real championships and the games played were fun, and intense and have provided a lifetime of memories for thousands of fans. The SunBelt champion will NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER play for a FBS national championship! I understand why people want us to move up, but there was something special about what our brand was at the FCS level. And before people attack me....keep reading. I know why we moved up. But playing for National Titles consistently is something pretty special, even if it was in the lowly FCS.

I agree, it was special. Unfortunately, the brand at the FCS level has changed. I always felt that Appalachian had to make the move to FBS to keep growing. It wasn't that I didn't like FCS, it's that App would probably either keep the status quo, or more likely, regress a little. New challenges can breath new life. That's my hope!

[Maddog1956]

Playing for a "meaningful championship"?

As much as I love our National Championships in FCS, the vast majority of college football fans would NOT call that a "meaningful championship game". That is why ESPN gives it all of 2 min recap hours after the NC game. Let's face it, how many people can name the winners of AAA minor league baseball championship game last year?

you know what i mean. Who cares what ESPN says. Those championships are real championships and the games played were fun, and intense and have provided a lifetime of memories for thousands of fans. The SunBelt champion will NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER play for a FBS national championship! I understand why people want us to move up, but there was something special about what our brand was at the FCS level. And before people attack me....keep reading. I know why we moved up. But playing for National Titles consistently is something pretty special, even if it was in the lowly FCS.

I agree, it was special. Unfortunately, the brand at the FCS level has changed. I always felt that Appalachian had to make the move to FBS to keep growing. It wasn't that I didn't like FCS, it's that App would probably either keep the status quo, or more likely, regress a little. New challenges can breath new life. That's my hope!

Maybe no NC, but to paraphrase you "the games played were (will still be) fun, and intense and have provided (will provide) a lifetime of memories for thousands of fans.

It will just be with different and better teams with more coverage and some hopefully will be bowls that will have over 20,000 attendance.

[bcoach]

Playing for a "meaningful championship"?

As much as I love our National Championships in FCS, the vast majority of college football fans would NOT call that a "meaningful championship game". That is why ESPN gives it all of 2 min recap hours after the NC game. Let's face it, how many people can name the winners of AAA minor league baseball championship game last year?

I could give a &*%^ what the vast majority of fans think You play the game for yourself, your teammates, your coaches, your fans and your school --- The Championships belong to these groups not other college football fans ---

That is exactly right. I really don't need ESPN telling me what happened in the game. I watched it. Games are meaningful to those that care. Ohio Michigan is not a meaningful game to me. In fact if ASU is not playing I really don't give a crap. So bring on our next run to a NC as soon as possible. I think Moose has the right idea about that.

[JTApps1]

Playing for a "meaningful championship"?

As much as I love our National Championships in FCS, the vast majority of college football fans would NOT call that a "meaningful championship game". That is why ESPN gives it all of 2 min recap hours after the NC game. Let's face it, how many people can name the winners of AAA minor league baseball championship game last year?

you know what i mean. Who cares what ESPN says. Those championships are real championships and the games played were fun, and intense and have provided a lifetime of memories for thousands of fans. The SunBelt champion will NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER play for a FBS national championship! I understand why people want us to move up, but there was something special about what our brand was at the FCS level. And before people attack me....keep reading. I know why we moved up. But playing for National Titles consistently is something pretty special, even if it was in the lowly FCS.

We've never played for a national championship in any other team sport we have. It's just a fact of life unless you're in the P5.

[JTApps1]

I'll just throw this out there. I am going to guess that it is not as much people missing the SOCON as it is the FCS format. I think that if we had a playoff system and a NC at our new G5 level that most who miss the SOCON would be happy. I really think that is more the problem than the SOCON. Then again I could be wrong. Right?

bcoach, I think you are absolutely correct, and hope that as the shakeup within the BCS level finalizes we end up in a division that actually has a playoff similar to what we've grown accustomed. The big conferences are going to control the 4 team playoff and make sure that everyone else is excluded. It would be to the benefit of the smaller conferences, many of which play excellent football, to have their own realistic goal to pursue. Truly believe that as we grow into our new conference and level, we will be competitive.

You guys are both right. That is exactly my frustration to the whole move. I'm not opposed to the move. I'm opposed to never playing a meaningful championship game again.

Just give it a few years, less if the P5 get their way, and we'll be right back there with a full playoff only with peer schools closer to our size. Something is going to happen once all the monkey wrenches get thrown in and are accounted for. Each one has to be accessed by the P5 and G5 conferences and once they figure them out they adjust plans accordingly. We'll know in less than five.

Moose - you've been telling me this for some time and I believe you and hope you correct - my question to you is this: if our tier of teams goes to a playoff format what happens to those 125 bowl games? and hasn't the NCAA always said they want to protect the bowls? - they are doing that with the playoffs coming this season for the "big boys" ---

I know you asked Moose, but I wanted to jump in too. I'd imagine a G5 playoff would be limited to 4-8 teams just like the current playoff. That still leaves a number of teams that would look to bowls for a chance at a post season game. Also, you have to believe there would be some bowl connected to that playoff just like the former BCS bowls are now tied into the playoff.

[Maddog1956]

I know you asked Moose, but I wanted to jump in too. I'd imagine a G5 playoff would be limited to 4-8 teams just like the current playoff. That still leaves a number of teams that would look to bowls for a chance at a post season game. Also, you have to believe there would be some bowl connected to that playoff just like the former BCS bowls are now tied into the playoff.

I wouldn't expect bowl to disappear unless they quit making money. They may or may not be tied into a playoff.

[bcoach]

I know you asked Moose, but I wanted to jump in too. I'd imagine a G5 playoff would be limited to 4-8 teams just like the current playoff. That still leaves a number of teams that would look to bowls for a chance at a post season game. Also, you have to believe there would be some bowl connected to that playoff just like the former BCS bowls are now tied into the playoff.

I wouldn't expect bowl to disappear unless they quit making money. They may or may not be tied into a playoff.

How about they tie in those bowls to a playoff system and we share the profits instead of the bowl organizers. That system would mean that we could make a profit or at least break even.

[firemoose]

Just give it a few years, less if the P5 get their way, and we'll be right back there with a full playoff only with peer schools closer to our size. Something is going to happen once all the monkey wrenches get thrown in and are accounted for. Each one has to be accessed by the P5 and G5 conferences and once they figure them out they adjust plans accordingly. We'll know in less than five.

Moose - you've been telling me this for some time and I believe you and hope you correct - my question to you is this: if our tier of teams goes to a playoff format what happens to those 125 bowl games? and hasn't the NCAA always said they want to protect the bowls? - they are doing that with the playoffs coming this season for the "big boys" ---

That's one of the many things that have to be worked out. I've heard several different versions put forth over the past couple of years, ever since the FBS playoff was announced. Most likely it would be something similar to what the P5 will be doing by combining bowls with playoff games. Harder to do with more teams but the most often scenarios seem to show both campus games and neutral site games (bowls). How they will work that will be interesting to see but something will give at some point. With the P5 sucking as much revenue as they possibly can from the D1 football pot the Go5, at some point, will have to push back with what little leverage they have and make the tough call.

The P5 holds the power but not all of it. They need the Go5 schools or else they will just end up playing each other every year and the lower schools in the P5 won't accept year after year of mediocrity. No one truly knows what is going to happen yet. So many things can change in the next few years that it's going to be a real Charlie Fox trying to get it all figured out. One thing is for certain. With all the money at stake the Go5 conferences will work together to get as much as they can in order to survive. At some point some radical suggestions will be fielded. To use the often quoted line, desperate times call for desperate measures. For all the talk that the P5 holds all the cards the Go5 does have a couple of hand grenades to use should it come to that.

I know that's not as good an answer as you're looking for but the truth is that, at this time, no one knows exactly what will happen. When the P5 finally make their decision and set their path then the rest of the dominoes will start to fall into place. Until then any scenario is nothing but a guess.

[Maddog1956]

I know you asked Moose, but I wanted to jump in too. I'd imagine a G5 playoff would be limited to 4-8 teams just like the current playoff. That still leaves a number of teams that would look to bowls for a chance at a post season game. Also, you have to believe there would be some bowl connected to that playoff just like the former BCS bowls are now tied into the playoff.

I wouldn't expect bowl to disappear unless they quit making money. They may or may not be tied into a playoff.

How about they tie in those bowls to a playoff system and we share the profits instead of the bowl organizers. That system would mean that we could make a profit or at least break even.

I think there are a couple ways to handle it, but naturally the schools should see some of the revenues.

One way is to have the first and second (etc) rounds of the playoffs become bowl games. Maybe certain ones for certain conferences so if your school is in the SB for example you would know what bowl they would play in. Or they could rotate bowls. (it would likely be bid, this bowl would bid $ for a round one game, and this one would bid $$ for a round two,etc).

Or there could be a completely separate playoff set of games and the bowls could become "Rival" games after the playoffs. Some say what the use after the NC game but I kind of look at it as a Army vs Navy type game.

Just a thought.

[WVAPPeer]

Thanks Moose and others for their responses ---

Here is a concern (as stated, none of us know what might/will happen) - let's say we become eligible for an 8 team playoff - that means at most 3 more games - the first round should then be at campus sites - fans can't travel to 3 away "bowl site" games - what if ECU and APP qualify to meet in the first round of 8 and the game is in El Paso???

[bcoach]

Thanks Moose and others for their responses ---

Here is a concern (as stated, none of us know what might/will happen) - let's say we become eligible for an 8 team playoff - that means at most 3 more games - the first round should then be at campus sites - fans can't travel to 3 away "bowl site" games - what if ECU and APP qualify to meet in the first round of 8 and the game is in El Paso???

Very good point. I think FCS had the answer to that. As you say campus sites would be the answer or attendance would be even lower than some of the bowls.

[Maddog1956]

Thanks Moose and others for their responses ---

Here is a concern (as stated, none of us know what might/will happen) - let's say we become eligible for an 8 team playoff - that means at most 3 more games - the first round should then be at campus sites - fans can't travel to 3 away "bowl site" games - what if ECU and APP qualify to meet in the first round of 8 and the game is in El Paso???

Doesn't really matter to me if they are home or not, but regional would be nice. BOA stadium would work (Thursday, Friday, Saturday). Home is ok too, but I think they like it to plan ahead of time, to me it's just not a requirement.

[ASUPATCH]

16 teams.....al conference get an auto and the p5 get the remaining 6 at large. 15 total games name them whatever bowl you want with the final 4 off campus similar to the NCAA's. Rank them 1-16 and the higher rank gets the home game. Then the GRIDIRON 4(trademark asupatch 2014) is at a neutral site. DONE....that was pretty easy.

[AppinVA]

Sorry. This does not excite me one bit. App busted its a$$ to move up from the official second tier, only to willingly go back into it again? No. It may happen because we can't stop it, but I want a taste of FBS success as it is, and I sure as hell don't want us to volunteer for I-AA all over again.

[firemoose]

Sorry. This does not excite me one bit. App busted its a$$ to move up from the official second tier, only to willingly go back into it again? No. It may happen because we can't stop it, but I want a taste of FBS success as it is, and I sure as hell don't want us to volunteer for I-AA all over again.

The P5 are calling the shots, so whatever happens it won't be willingly. We are in the best position we can be in at this time, since it's a very real possibility that FCS will become the new D-II with reduced scholarships. Hopefully the Go5 will be able to get the best deal possible but it's the P5 who are and will be making the decisions that chart the future of college football.

[AppinVA]

That may well be the case, but we have some folks on here getting a hard-on for the prospect of playing in the Stagg Bowl again.

Those who don't study history, are doomed to repeat it.

[firemoose]

That may well be the case, but we have some folks on here getting a hard-on for the prospect of playing in the Stagg Bowl again.

Those who don't study history, are doomed to repeat it.

No argument or hard-on here. Just stating a simple fact. App has no real say in what our future will be except at such a time as when the Go5 decide that regional alignment is the best way to save money therefore allowing each school to keep more of what little money we are allowed. The only thing I will say is, at this time and with where this appears to be heading, I would much rather be FBS then FCS right now. We made the move. Now we're along for the ride. If anyone out there can predict where this will wind up I want you picking my lottery numbers.