First, there are 65 P-5 schools and 64 G-5 schools, if there was a scheduling change/cut, would the fan bases of the G-5 stop following their teams and still have interest in the P-5 games?

I imagine the 64 fan bases make up a large amount of TV viewership for networks, and IMO these fans would not have the same or much interest at all in the p-5 outside of playoff games.

Second, if G-5 TV viewers are removed from the current pool of TV viewers the p-5 currently has, how big of a difference do you think it will make on TV deals going forward? and would it give the G-5 real negotiation power with the TV networks? what do ya'll think about this?

I would have zero interest in watching P5 vs P5 games. Unfortunately, you can bet ESPN has done their homework and they know they would have plenty of viewers (or the P5 wouldn't be going through this collusion right now).

(08-11-2014 09:53 AM)balanced_view Wrote:  First, there are 65 P-5 schools and 64 G-5 schools, if there was a scheduling change/cut, would the fan bases of the G-5 stop following their teams and still have interest in the P-5 games?

I imagine the 64 fan bases make up a large amount of TV viewership for networks, and IMO these fans would not have the same or much interest at all in the p-5 outside of playoff games.

Second, if G-5 TV viewers are removed from the current pool of TV viewers the p-5 currently has, how big of a difference do you think it will make on TV deals going forward? and would it give the G-5 real negotiation power with the TV networks? what do ya'll think about this?

I became a fan of UCF when we were playing teams like Grand Valley State, West Georgia, and Millersville. So yes, I would continue to follow UCF if the P5 achieves their scheduling collusion. Not saying it wouldn't bother me, because it would. But my fandom doesn't revolve around the P5 in the least. I do admit that my overall interest in college athletics would probably diminish. Not because I wouldn't be able to see my team play P5 schools, but just because of how those greedy whores are destroying everything.

I'd still follow P5 and G5. I just don't know if I'd give up every single Saturday every single fall to attend UCF games.

Or, in our current AAC case, every single Wednesday evening....

(08-11-2014 09:53 AM)balanced_view Wrote:  I imagine the 64 fan bases make up a large amount of TV viewership for networks, and IMO these fans would not have the same or much interest at all in the p-5 outside of playoff games.

Second, if G-5 TV viewers are removed from the current pool of TV viewers the p-5 currently has, how big of a difference do you think it will make on TV deals going forward?

the thing you have to keep in mind is TV deals really have the "casual" fan in mind. Those who are not die hards and watch what is on TV at the time. Primarily because "die hards" will watch their team no matter what. That said, viewership and monetary trends clearly dictate that if such a thing were to happen, the larger schools would not be the ones that suffer. When you look at ratings as published by SportsMediaWatch, with rare exception nearly all top rated games have at least one P5 member, most have 2. It is rare that a (current) G5 vs. G5 game draws comparable numbers to even middle tier P5 vs. P5 games, and those mostly would be ones with undefeated teams or BCS games on the line (in past years Boise, Houston, NIU, TCU, etc). The exception being Commander In Chief's trophy games.

(08-11-2014 10:30 AM)adcorbett Wrote:  

(08-11-2014 09:53 AM)balanced_view Wrote:  I imagine the 64 fan bases make up a large amount of TV viewership for networks, and IMO these fans would not have the same or much interest at all in the p-5 outside of playoff games.

Second, if G-5 TV viewers are removed from the current pool of TV viewers the p-5 currently has, how big of a difference do you think it will make on TV deals going forward?

the thing you have to keep in mind is TV deals really have the "casual" fan in mind. Those who are not die hards and watch what is on TV at the time. Primarily because "die hards" will watch their team no matter what. That said, viewership and monetary trends clearly dictate that if such a thing were to happen, the larger schools would not be the ones that suffer. When you look at ratings as published by SportsMediaWatch, with rare exception nearly all top rated games have at least one P5 member, most have 2. It is rare that a (current) G5 vs. G5 game draws comparable numbers to even middle tier P5 vs. P5 games, and those mostly would be ones with undefeated teams or BCS games on the line (in past years Boise, Houston, NIU, TCU, etc). The exception being Commander In Chief's trophy games.

I'm sure the networks know what they're doing, but we can't assume that college fanbases are going to behave the same way as professional sports fans. What separates college from minor league is the personal connection. I hope they don't destroy the sport by trying too hard to turn it into NFL-lite.

The better question about P-5 exclusive scheduling is will every P5 team agree to just play 6 home games or would the lower level P5 teams start being the high level's "buy" games? I'm struggling to believe Alabama is going to agree to play 6 true road games a year, and I'm struggling to believe a school like NC State who had 8 home games last year is going to be willing to cut to 6 or maybe even 5 in some years.

I'm probably in the minority but I have no interest in P5 vs P5 exclusively. My interest strictly revolves around UConn. I could care less about Alabama vs Ohio State. I'll follow UConn regardless of who our opponents are.

(08-11-2014 10:18 AM)bearcatfan Wrote:  I would have zero interest in watching P5 vs P5 games. Unfortunately, you can bet ESPN has done their homework and they know they would have plenty of viewers (or the P5 wouldn't be going through this collusion right now).

Like they did with the Longhorn Network?

If we are demoted to some FCS like mini-me division I will not be watching much college football anymore. I will continue to watch Houston games (if they are even on TV anymore) and I might go to an occasional home game. Beyond that, Ill get into pro-football and find other ways to occupy my Saturdays. I wont even really care much about who wins the new G5 mini-me division. Why would I?

(08-11-2014 10:18 AM)bearcatfan Wrote:  I would have zero interest in watching P5 vs P5 games. Unfortunately, you can bet ESPN has done their homework and they know they would have plenty of viewers (or the P5 wouldn't be going through this collusion right now).

I still think that P5 v. P5 match-ups have to have geographic appeal in order to appeal to television audiences. Indiana v. Kentucky might appeal to viewers in that region, but I doubt that many viewers in New Mexico would care.

Spurrier probably nailed it when he pointed to geography being a basis for fan interest.

I will go back to watching pro football and take in a real amateur college game occasionally. I do not watch semi pro baseball either.

This is about driving a final nail in the 'upstart' G5 schools that dare to knock off the big boys. They don't want the likes of Boise or UCF ever winning a BCS bowl... let along some FCS school beating a P5 school. Scholarships and money aside, the long term goal is to separate and make sure no recruit will ever pick a G5 school over ANY P5 school again. Everything else being said is just noise.

I think the autonomy conferences won't be scheduling each other exclusively anytime soon.

Here's a prime example, per fbschedules.com: NC State just announced the scheduling 15 games. Only one of them was a game against an autonomy opponent: Notre Dame. Two games were a H&H vs. Marshall. Three were home games against Georgia State, Old Dominion, and Ball State. Nine more were home games vs. FCS opponents. These games are scheduled going out eight years from now, to 2022.

Other autonomy league teams will schedule fewer non-autonomy opponents than NC State, but there is too much disincentive to schedule only other autonomy opponents. Something dramatic would have to change their economic model that demands 7 home games a year. They can't get 7 home games if they have 4 home-and-home series in their non-conference schedule; two of them would have to be on the road. It just doesn't add up. Coaches can say what they want, but the games against non-autonomy leagues aren't going away.

1. Will the upper-tier teams drop down from 7 or 8 home games a year to 6 home games?
2. Will the lower-tier teams in those five conferences be willing to subject themselves to pay-for-play OOC games or 2-1 deals?
3. Will the middle-tier teams that pad the win column in the OOC schedule be willing to forgo bowl eligibility by scheduling much harder OOC matchups?
4. How will the fan bases of the lower-tier teams react to being offered one-and-dones, as well as 2-1 or 3-1 type offers. Will it hurt their pride? Will donations and attendance suffer at those schools?
5. For the middle-tier schools, how many years of bowl ineligibility will it take for their fan bases to grow apathetic?

It would take some time, but those questions would be answered in the long-term.

Haven't always been this way, used to sit in front of the TV from noon until late on Saturdays, but I have and will continue to exclusively watch when Memphis or WVU are on TV - that's it. I am probably not the only one who feels this way.

(08-11-2014 09:53 AM)balanced_view Wrote:  First, there are 65 P-5 schools and 64 G-5 schools, if there was a scheduling change/cut, would the fan bases of the G-5 stop following their teams and still have interest in the P-5 games?

I imagine the 64 fan bases make up a large amount of TV viewership for networks, and IMO these fans would not have the same or much interest at all in the p-5 outside of playoff games.

I would continue to do exactly what I do now; go to ECU home games and watch the Pirates on TV most of the time when they're on the road. Watching them play road games in person vs NC State and UNC would have to be replaced by road trips to Charlotte, Appalachian or ODU. I would also tune into games featuring other AAC schools or other schools on our schedule that year.

I might watch Cartel-5 games if they were on on a weeknight without G-5 competition, and I might watch playoff games if there were not G-5 postseason games on at the same time.

(08-11-2014 09:53 AM)balanced_view Wrote:  Second, if G-5 TV viewers are removed from the current pool of TV viewers the p-5 currently has, how big of a difference do you think it will make on TV deals going forward? and would it give the G-5 real negotiation power with the TV networks? what do ya'll think about this?

Good question. I guess it depends on how many people 'act' like me.

(08-11-2014 11:32 AM)Bull Wrote:  This is about driving a final nail in the 'upstart' G5 schools that dare to knock off the big boys. They don't want the likes of Boise or UCF ever winning a BCS bowl... let along some FCS school beating a P5 school. Scholarships and money aside, the long term goal is to separate and make sure no recruit will ever pick a G5 school over ANY P5 school again. Everything else being said is just noise.

Reminds me of the saying, "Elections are too important to be decided by voters".

The billion dollar college football industry ultimately lies in the decisions of 18 year old High School seniors.

(08-11-2014 11:38 AM)Tigeer Wrote:  Haven't always been this way, used to sit in front of the TV from noon until late on Saturdays, but I have and will continue to exclusively watch when Memphis or WVU are on TV - that's it. I am probably not the only one who feels this way.

That's all I've ever done. Too many other things to do on a day off. No sense in sitting in a vegetative state in front of the funny box.

I think the P5 is full of when they talk about P5 vs P5 exclusivity. IMHO it was basically a part of the threat to get what they want. There's too many games vs G5's to buy out, too many P5 teams won't be able to pad their records, season ticket prices would see a huge spike again, etc.