The rationale for the lower divisions having 11 games was that they had 4 round playoffs while the FBS just had bowls, and now a 2 round playoff. But with a possibly 4 round playoff (for teams that don’t get a bye) coming to FBS, is there any rationale to still only allow lower divisions to play 11 regular season games?

In addition, hardly any lower division conferences seem to have conference championship games (IIRC, even the PSAC never adopted a championship game even though the time was invented for them). So the lower levels will have a maximum of 15 games, while FBS will have a maximum of 17.

I wish the FCS would go to 12 games. I think the OVC and another league were pushing for it a few years ago, but it failed at the time. There are occasional years where FCS plays 12 games if the calendar works out in a certain way.

(10-03-2022 03:22 PM)mvfcfan Wrote:  I wish the FCS would go to 12 games. I think the OVC and another league were pushing for it a few years ago, but it failed at the time. There are occasional years where FCS plays 12 games if the calendar works out in a certain way.

In related news, will the Ivy League go to an 11 game schedule?

What I’d like to see is other post season options for the lower tiers outside of the NCAA playoffs. For example, in DIII there are many teams that finish the season 9-1 that are left out of the playoffs, there are roughly 250 DIII football teams but only 32 make the playoffs. That’s all 27 conference champs and 5 at large. Problem is, I don’t know how you make it financially possible, even though a lot of good teams are left out of the playoffs.

(10-03-2022 03:22 PM)mvfcfan Wrote:  I wish FCS would go to 12 games every season. I think the OVC and another league were pushing for it a few years ago, but it failed at the time. There are occasional years where FCS plays 12 games if the calendar works out in a certain way.

I agree on the 12 games. The other conference pushing for it was the Southland Conference. The proposal was voted down 8-5.

Link - NCAA rejects 12 game FCS football season (2017 article)

The ECAC sponsors 4 bowl games for its D3 members.

D2 plays for 16 straight weeks with the championship game played within 10 days of Christmas. The FBS regular season has 14 weeks to play 12 games, we have 11 weeks to play 11 games. Four teams get a 1st-round bye in the D2 playoffs. It makes no sense to extend the season past Christmas or start earlier in order to play a 12th regular season game. There are teams now having difficulties filling an 11-game schedule. D2 does have 4 bowl games (I would like to see more) selected from non-playoff teams. The SIAC started a championship game in 2011 while the CIAA has played since 1970 and the PSAC since 1960.

If you want to play 12 games, you can upgrade to FBS, just like if you want to offer 85 scholarships, you can upgrade to FBS. Just because FBS offers something, doesn't mean FCS has to copy them.

(10-04-2022 02:28 PM)goofus Wrote:  If you want to play 12 games, you can upgrade to FBS, just like if you want to offer 85 scholarships, you can upgrade to FBS. Just because FBS offers something, doesn't mean FCS has to copy them.

We've been trying to do that for 6-7 years. We need a conference invitation.

(10-03-2022 03:38 PM)Usajags Wrote:  What I’d like to see is other post season options for the lower tiers outside of the NCAA playoffs. For example, in DIII there are many teams that finish the season 9-1 that are left out of the playoffs, there are roughly 250 DIII football teams but only 32 make the playoffs. That’s all 27 conference champs and 5 at large. Problem is, I don’t know how you make it financially possible, even though a lot of good teams are left out of the playoffs.

Go back to regional playoffs with 16 teams each.

(10-04-2022 02:28 PM)goofus Wrote:  If you want to play 12 games, you can upgrade to FBS, just like if you want to offer 85 scholarships, you can upgrade to FBS. Just because FBS offers something, doesn't mean FCS has to copy them.

No, you can't just upgrade. This is being discussed because the FBS copied the playoff concept from the FCS (not really, but your post is pretty stupid). Who gives a crap who copies who, if something makes sense to do? Last I checked we weren't toddlers...