The Beginning of the End __ NCAA will be 4 divisions w/in 5 yrs or less

[4Q_iu]

And so it begins, NCAA Board of Trustees endorses plan to make the 'Big 65' even more powerful / richer...

Fully expect current FCS and mid-major/low-majors to be new Div II, Div II the new Div III and Div III the new Div IV.

http://www.ibj.com/ncaa-board-endorses-more-power-for-big-schools/PARAMS/article/47365

 

[bent20]

We're already midway through the "end." It will change things, but not that much. End of the day, the elite 25-30 schools that always dominate will still dominate and the current FCS will still struggle to maintain quality football and basketball programs. If anything, it will hurt us in that some of the current lower tier FBS schools will finally get a wake up call and realize they've been wasting money and efforts to compete with the big boys and will come down to our level.

My question is where will we land. My guess: There will be an elite tier, a second level (current Mac and Conf. USA schools), a third (will that include us?), a fourth (lower level FCS), a fifth (DII) and the rest.

 

[Bally #50]

We're already midway through the "end." It will change things, but not that much. End of the day, the elite 25-30 schools that always dominate will still dominate and the current FCS will still struggle to maintain quality football and basketball programs. If anything, it will hurt us in that some of the current lower tier FBS schools will finally get a wake up call and realize they've been wasting money and efforts to compete with the big boys and will come down to our level.

My question is where will we land. My guess: There will be an elite tier, a second level (current Mac and Conf. USA schools), a third (will that include us?), a fourth (lower level FCS), a fifth (DII) and the rest.

I wish I knew for sure, but I still think that the 2nd level becomes more homogeneous with the 3rd. It seems inevitable. However the scenario plays out in the next few years, you will NOT recognize college football in 5 years compared to the setup today. I just hope the next configuration puts us with a down-graded MAC and some strong MVCFC teams that will make "our" level a tad more realistic and more geographically viable.

 

[bent20]

I wish I knew for sure, but I still think that the 2nd level becomes more homogeneous with the 3rd. It seems inevitable. However the scenario plays out in the next few years, you will NOT recognize college football in 5 years compared to the setup today. I just hope the next configuration puts us with a down-graded MAC and some strong MVCFC teams that will make "our" level a tad more realistic and more geographically viable.

I just don't see how we could possibly have enough money to compete at that level. Financially speaking (and that's the primary driver here) we're verily above a DII.

 

[Bally #50]

I just don't see how we could possibly have enough money to compete at that level. Financially speaking (and that's the primary driver here) we're verily above a DII.

Bent, my assumption is (and I have talked about it for years) that the MAC and maybe the Sun Belt will come BACK (voluntarily or not) a step because the "major" league power conferences will totally shun those two conferences. No crystal ball here, but frankly, it makes sense for them to do it.

 

[bent20]

I think that's likely, but even if they come back a step, we have to take one, maybe two or three, steps forward to compete with them financially. Being in the MVC isn't the key factor if conferences realign. Money and attendance (the money generator) are bigger factors. We're at the bottom of the barrel right now in terms of revenue.

 

[Sycamore Proud]

I think that's likely, but even if they come back a step, we have to take one, maybe two or three, steps forward to compete with them financially. Being in the MVC isn't the key factor if conferences realign. Money and attendance (the money generator) are bigger factors. We're at the bottom of the barrel right now in terms of revenue.

Sorry, but I must disagree on that. At this point, I don't even feel we are in the barrel.