When looking across the college football landscape, it becomes incredibly apparent that the bottom conferences in the FBS don't have the brand the others do, and the top conferences in the FCS are close in quality to said bottom FBS conferences. Therefore, I suggest a three-tiered Division 1.

1-A: B1G, Big 12, ACC, Pac-12, SEC, American, MW, Notre Dame, BYU, Army
12-game regular season, CCGs, 4-team playoff, 5 power conferences, 2 mid-majors

1-AA: MAC, C-USA, Sun Belt, UMass, Big Sky, MVFC, Southland, CAA, OVC, Southern
12-game regular season, 16-team playoff

1-AAA: Big South, Ivy League, Patriot, NEC, MEAC, Pioneer, Southwestern
11-game regular season, 12-team playoff

Ummmm, no.

Eventually the bottom two would merge. We're not gonna fully concede we're inferior, not without a fight.

I like it. I think the 1-A playoff needs to be expanded to 8.

(10-30-2016 03:50 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  Eventually the bottom two would merge. We're not gonna fully concede we're inferior, not without a fight.

This is essentially a split away by the upper 90ish schools. I don't think there should be a sharp division of "only these schools" or "only these conferences + specific independents." Market, academics, history, stadium size + attendance, other sports, etc. should all be included. If a school in the lower level meets enough criteria, then they can apply for membership into the upper level. Rejecting an application should be an objective decision of every member in the upper level by X% vote (probably something like 75-80%.)

Essentially, I fully support a split with the opportunity for inclusion.

(10-30-2016 03:59 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  

(10-30-2016 03:50 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  Eventually the bottom two would merge. We're not gonna fully concede we're inferior, not without a fight.

This is essentially a split away by the upper 90ish schools. I don't think there should be a sharp division of "only these schools" or "only these conferences + specific independents." Market, academics, history, stadium size + attendance, other sports, etc. should all be included. If a school in the lower level meets enough criteria, then they can apply for membership into the upper level. Rejecting an application should be an objective decision of every member in the upper level by X% vote (probably something like 75-80%.)

Essentially, I fully support a split with the opportunity for inclusion.

That's what I'm thinking. If Marshall, Rice, or App St. can make it as independents in this new 1-A, go for it.

ESPN will do the split economically.

They will continue to pay the P4 handsomely while everyone else will slowly but surely be given less and less to make up for the shifting cable cutters

Quote:1-A: B1G, Big 12, ACC, Pac-12, SEC, American, MW, Notre Dame, BYU, Army

I like the idea of 3 divisions for D1, each with a playoff. Bowls are more understandable with a pseudo-playoff for winner of Top 2 bowls, due to so many (128) teams.

But ARMY in Top D1? Lol. Also -- the MW going that is barely better than the MAC? I can understand AAC in there + BYU, loosening it up -- but I don't think that'd be good for the overall picture.

You're basically making a stronger D1AA by throwing the MAC/CUSA/SunBelt down there and shoving the bad half of D1AA to a 3rd sector.

I would say:
- D1A: All P5 teams + Notre Dame
- D1AA: All G5 teams + All independents, except for Notre Dame + Missouri Valley Conference
- D1AAA: All Remaining teams

* Each with an ACTUAL playoff system (like, 12 or 16 teams).
* D1A & D1AA teams not in their playoffs are to play each other in some bowls
* D1AA & D1AAA can play in bowls, too, but would be ridiculously scarce due to D1AAA fans & budget of those not in their own playoffs.

(10-30-2016 04:03 PM)10thMountain Wrote:  ESPN will do the split economically.

They will continue to pay the P4 handsomely while everyone else will slowly but surely be given less and less to make up for the shifting cable cutters

Yes and no. ESPN doesn't want the Big 12, American, or MW to do poorly on the field. They are all great bargains for ESPN. They don't want to pay them too little so that they can't compete, but they also want to continue to get a deal. To my point, there was a rumor that the American was going to get a slight pay raise.

However, ESPN realizes that there isn't much of a market for the MAC, Sun Belt, or C-USA, and would gladly pay the American and MW to play games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to spread the P-5 games around more on the weekends.

(10-30-2016 04:06 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:1-A: B1G, Big 12, ACC, Pac-12, SEC, American, MW, Notre Dame, BYU, Army

I like the idea of 3 divisions for D1, each with a playoff. Bowls are more understandable with a pseudo-playoff for winner of Top 2 bowls, due to so many (128) teams.

But ARMY in Top D1? Lol. Also -- the MW going that is barely better than the MAC? I can understand AAC in there + BYU, loosening it up -- but I don't think that'd be good for the overall picture.

You're basically making a stronger D1AA by throwing the MAC/CUSA/SunBelt down there and shoving the bad half of D1AA to a 3rd sector.

I would say:
- D1A: All P5 teams + Notre Dame
- D1AA: All G5 teams + All independents, except for Notre Dame + Missouri Valley Conference
- D1AAA: All Remaining teams

* Each with an ACTUAL playoff system (like, 12 or 16 teams).
* D1A & D1AA teams not in their playoffs are to play each other in some bowls
* D1AA & D1AAA can play in bowls, too, but would be ridiculously scarce due to D1AAA fans & budget of those not in their own playoffs.

That's the point. 1-A is stronger by subtraction, 1-AA is stronger by addition, and the schools in 1-AAA finally get to legitimately compete for a national championship.

The CAA, Big Sky, and Southland can all compete at the same level as the MVC.

(10-30-2016 03:50 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  Eventually the bottom two would merge. We're not gonna fully concede we're inferior, not without a fight.

This, but I think it is the best way forward.

Yeah, but it basically gets rid of the mid-major effect that it has now. By keeping ALL G5s in the same boat, and maybe adding in the SEC of D1AA (Missouri Valley), one would make it worth-watching nationwide. And when D1A plays D1AA it's not looked upon as a sour move either.

(10-30-2016 03:59 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  

(10-30-2016 03:50 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  Eventually the bottom two would merge. We're not gonna fully concede we're inferior, not without a fight.

This is essentially a split away by the upper 90ish schools. I don't think there should be a sharp division of "only these schools" or "only these conferences + specific independents." Market, academics, history, stadium size + attendance, other sports, etc. should all be included. If a school in the lower level meets enough criteria, then they can apply for membership into the upper level. Rejecting an application should be an objective decision of every member in the upper level by X% vote (probably something like 75-80%.)

Essentially, I fully support a split with the opportunity for inclusion.

I think the P5 are trying to spend into this on a defacto manner. However, its not certain the AAC and MWC can keep up. CUSA, MAC and Sun Belt can't.

(10-30-2016 04:13 PM)shizzle787 Wrote:  

(10-30-2016 04:06 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:1-A: B1G, Big 12, ACC, Pac-12, SEC, American, MW, Notre Dame, BYU, Army

I like the idea of 3 divisions for D1, each with a playoff. Bowls are more understandable with a pseudo-playoff for winner of Top 2 bowls, due to so many (128) teams.

But ARMY in Top D1? Lol. Also -- the MW going that is barely better than the MAC? I can understand AAC in there + BYU, loosening it up -- but I don't think that'd be good for the overall picture.

You're basically making a stronger D1AA by throwing the MAC/CUSA/SunBelt down there and shoving the bad half of D1AA to a 3rd sector.

I would say:
- D1A: All P5 teams + Notre Dame
- D1AA: All G5 teams + All independents, except for Notre Dame + Missouri Valley Conference
- D1AAA: All Remaining teams

* Each with an ACTUAL playoff system (like, 12 or 16 teams).
* D1A & D1AA teams not in their playoffs are to play each other in some bowls
* D1AA & D1AAA can play in bowls, too, but would be ridiculously scarce due to D1AAA fans & budget of those not in their own playoffs.

That's the point. 1-A is stronger by subtraction, 1-AA is stronger by addition, and the schools in 1-AAA finally get to legitimately compete for a national championship.

Your plan would kill every FBS program not placed in the upper level. Why not simply expand the playoffs to 8 and make 1 berth for the G5? And seed it 4th or 5th.

D1 basketball isn't harmed by having 351 schools.

BTW, no way that gets done unless the G5 schools are happy with it. Unless the NCAA falls apart. And if it does, they're not taking the AAC with them. Why share when you don't have to.

-----

Basically, some of you guys seem to be searching for a solution in search of a problem. Unless the problem is "Entitled former Big East football schools are looking for another way to gain separation from the G5 that they haven't earned". Tulane? Army? Memphis? Tulsa? Really?

(10-30-2016 05:42 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(10-30-2016 04:13 PM)shizzle787 Wrote:  

(10-30-2016 04:06 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:1-A: B1G, Big 12, ACC, Pac-12, SEC, American, MW, Notre Dame, BYU, Army

I like the idea of 3 divisions for D1, each with a playoff. Bowls are more understandable with a pseudo-playoff for winner of Top 2 bowls, due to so many (128) teams.

But ARMY in Top D1? Lol. Also -- the MW going that is barely better than the MAC? I can understand AAC in there + BYU, loosening it up -- but I don't think that'd be good for the overall picture.

You're basically making a stronger D1AA by throwing the MAC/CUSA/SunBelt down there and shoving the bad half of D1AA to a 3rd sector.

I would say:
- D1A: All P5 teams + Notre Dame
- D1AA: All G5 teams + All independents, except for Notre Dame + Missouri Valley Conference
- D1AAA: All Remaining teams

* Each with an ACTUAL playoff system (like, 12 or 16 teams).
* D1A & D1AA teams not in their playoffs are to play each other in some bowls
* D1AA & D1AAA can play in bowls, too, but would be ridiculously scarce due to D1AAA fans & budget of those not in their own playoffs.

That's the point. 1-A is stronger by subtraction, 1-AA is stronger by addition, and the schools in 1-AAA finally get to legitimately compete for a national championship.

Your plan would kill every FBS program not placed in the upper level. Why not simply expand the playoffs to 8 and make 1 berth for the G5? And seed it 4th or 5th.

D1 basketball isn't harmed by having 351 schools.

BTW, no way that gets done unless the G5 schools are happy with it. Unless the NCAA falls apart. And if it does, they're not taking the AAC with them. Sorry Uconn, but it makes more sense that you play in the CAA. They seem to lose to them enough anyway.

D1 basketball is a populist sport; D1 football is an elitist sport. They have been that way for a long time and are best that way. The fact that they contrast is even better.
FBS schools not making the 1-A cut would still be able to play at least one 1-A school a year, and would have lower costs (with less scholarships and not trying to keep up with the P5) which will help the bottom line. Schools in the MAC, Sun Belt, and C-USA are having a particularly hard time with this.

Here's a better way to realign it. Start with basketball, as that was what has driven the issues with FCS. Drop the requirement that D1 basketball schools play FCS. Require D1 schools to pay FCOA and do it for a minimum of sports.

Quote:Why not simply expand the playoffs to 8 and make 1 berth for the G5? And seed it 4th or 5th.

Well, I think All seedings would be based on how good that team is. So a G5 would probably get #7 or #8 virtually every year.

I think a 12 team playoff would be best. Top 4 get a 'bye', to face the remaining 4 out of the next 8 who face each other.

Having a G5 wouldn't be bold or controversial at all, especially with conference rules not allowing too many from 1 conference in anyway.

RIGHT NOW IF DONE (and assumptive conference & divisional winners):
- All P5 Conference Champs In
- All Independents Worthy if Making Top 12 in the nation
- Top G5 team who won their conference is auto-qualified
- 3rd team in a P5 Conf to trump a 2nd team in P5 Conf has to be ranked in Top 8
- No teams of the same conference can play each other in either's first game (shift seeds if necessary, to prevent)

FIRST ROUND BYES:
1. Alabama
2. Michigan
3. Clemson
4. Washington

FIRST ROUND of 8 - FRI & SAT at one Stadium Location (4 games, one at 12PM EST, one at 8PM EST):

#5 Louisville
#12 Western Michigan
(PLAYS WASHINGTON)

#8 Wisconsin
#9 Baylor
(PLAYS ALABAMA)

--------------------------------------

#6 Ohio State
#11 Utah
(PLAYS CLEMSON)

#7 Texas A&M
#10 Oklahoma
(PLAYS MICHIGAN)

(10-30-2016 06:03 PM)shizzle787 Wrote:  

(10-30-2016 05:42 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(10-30-2016 04:13 PM)shizzle787 Wrote:  

(10-30-2016 04:06 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:1-A: B1G, Big 12, ACC, Pac-12, SEC, American, MW, Notre Dame, BYU, Army

I like the idea of 3 divisions for D1, each with a playoff. Bowls are more understandable with a pseudo-playoff for winner of Top 2 bowls, due to so many (128) teams.

But ARMY in Top D1? Lol. Also -- the MW going that is barely better than the MAC? I can understand AAC in there + BYU, loosening it up -- but I don't think that'd be good for the overall picture.

You're basically making a stronger D1AA by throwing the MAC/CUSA/SunBelt down there and shoving the bad half of D1AA to a 3rd sector.

I would say:
- D1A: All P5 teams + Notre Dame
- D1AA: All G5 teams + All independents, except for Notre Dame + Missouri Valley Conference
- D1AAA: All Remaining teams

* Each with an ACTUAL playoff system (like, 12 or 16 teams).
* D1A & D1AA teams not in their playoffs are to play each other in some bowls
* D1AA & D1AAA can play in bowls, too, but would be ridiculously scarce due to D1AAA fans & budget of those not in their own playoffs.

That's the point. 1-A is stronger by subtraction, 1-AA is stronger by addition, and the schools in 1-AAA finally get to legitimately compete for a national championship.

Your plan would kill every FBS program not placed in the upper level. Why not simply expand the playoffs to 8 and make 1 berth for the G5? And seed it 4th or 5th.

D1 basketball isn't harmed by having 351 schools.

BTW, no way that gets done unless the G5 schools are happy with it. Unless the NCAA falls apart. And if it does, they're not taking the AAC with them. Sorry Uconn, but it makes more sense that you play in the CAA. They seem to lose to them enough anyway.

D1 basketball is a populist sport; D1 football is an elitist sport. They have been that way for a long time and are best that way. The fact that they contrast is even better.
FBS schools not making the 1-A cut would still be able to play at least one 1-A school a year, and would have lower costs (with less scholarships and not trying to keep up with the P5) which will help the bottom line. Schools in the MAC, Sun Belt, and C-USA are having a particularly hard time with this.

Uconn, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa, Memphis, UNLV, New Mexico, Wyoming, San Jose State, and Army get to stay? No thanks. Using what metric? Attendance? Nope. Recent success? Nope. Unearned Entitlement? That's the ticket you appear to be looking for. Because its the only ticket that Uconn can justify based upon FBS metrics.

BTW, the Belt seems to be doing just fine without big media money. When does the AAC media contract come up for renewal?

ANOTHER PLAYOFF TYPE: Considering some folks want to Emphasize Conference Champions, and 12 teams instead of 16 teams isn't enough for them:

Consider ALL Conference Champions + 2 inserts (Top 12 Independent + Top (1 or 2) 2nd-placers of a conference)
- Of the non-conference winners added, a divisional winner of a conference has a 2-spot ranking advantage VS one who didn't win their division
- No more than 2 teams from the same conference
- No teams from the same conference can play each other in either of their 1st games (seed shift if necessary)
- No teams in the First Round of 8 can play each other if they played previously that year (seed shift if necessary)
- Additional non-conference winners can only be seeded above Top G5/Bottom P5 winner (whichever's lower) IF required seed shifting is necessary (see directly above)
- That makes not winning your conference a bigger deal

So in THIS case...

1. Alabama (SEC)
2. Michigan (B1G)
3. Clemson (ACC)
4. Washington (P12)

FIRST ROUND OF 8:

#5. Oklahoma (B12)
#12. Louisiana-Tech (CUSA)
(PLAYS WASHINGTON)

#8. Wisconsin (B1G)*
#9. San Diego State (MW)
(PLAYS ALABAMA)

#6. Western Michigan (MAC)
#11. Troy (SUNB)
(PLAYS CLEMSON)

#7. Louisville (ACC)
#10. Navy (AAC)
(PLAYS MICHIGAN)


*#8 Wisconsin trumps #7 Texas A&M because Texas A&M doesn't win their division while Wisconsin wins theirs.