What teams do you think would be more successful in the FCS as opposed to the FBS? This includes issues with competing, issues with attendance, and issues with overall athletic department success.

Is there a school you think would be more successful in the FBS as opposed to the FCS? This includes their recent success, strong attendance, a thriving and traveling fan based, and willingness to grow.

Are there any schools between the two divisions (FBS and FCS) that you would switch out? For example, would you bump Jacksonville State to the FBS and Florida Atlantic down to the FCS?

Lets get the obvious ones out of the way.

Better fit for FCS
Idaho, NMSU, LA-Mo, EMU

Wyoming, while historically ok and financially sound, seems to be in a league over its head. Wyoming has a very difficult time in recruiting for anything, as the state produces rodeo athletes, not football and basketball players.

Wyoming, while historically ahead of Idaho, Montana, and Dakota schools, now sees it lead diminishing over them, and soon those neighboring state schools could be on par athletically.

I know this idea may not be popular, but I believe the service academies would be better suited for FCS. All 3 of them.

Army, Navy, AFA

They really can't compete in women's sports and are limited in what they can do in men's sports. The football teams are stuck running the triple option forever. The basketball team for Navy has a height limit.

Army especially seems over-matched.

AFA turned down an all-sports invite to the Big12 because they knew they could not compete. That should tell you right there they should move down a level.

Idaho, Wyoming, AFA all would be better off in the Big Sky.

(12-20-2015 01:48 PM)goofus Wrote:  I know this idea may not be popular, but I believe the service academies would be better suited for FCS. All 3 of them.

Army, Navy, AFA

They really can't compete in women's sports and are limited in what they can do in men's sports. The football teams are stuck running the triple option forever. The basketball team for Navy has a height limit.

Army especially seems over-matched.

AFA turned down an all-sports invite to the Big12 because they knew they could not compete. That should tell you right there they should move down a level.

Idaho, Wyoming, AFA all would be better off in the Big Sky.

It's more delusional than unpopular.

Just this year alone:

Air Force played for the MWC title;
Had Navy beaten Houston, they would have played for the AAC title;
Navy lost 7 football games by 7 points or less. Their basketball team was "Receiving Votes" in last week's poll.

I don't see anyone dropping to FCS voluntarily, maybe Idaho if the Sun Belt doesn't renew their football only deal and they can't make a go of it as a Western indy. The cost cuts from going FCS do not offset the much larger cuts in revenue that come with it, plus the much lower level of exposure makes it hard to justify. If you're going to drop, you may as well drop to D-II or kill football altogether.

(12-20-2015 02:35 PM)LR Eagle Wrote:  I don't see anyone dropping to FCS voluntarily, maybe Idaho if the Sun Belt doesn't renew their football only deal and they can't make a go of it as a Western indy. The cost cuts from going FCS do not offset the much larger cuts in revenue that come with it, plus the much lower level of exposure makes it hard to justify. If you're going to drop, you may as well drop to D-II or kill football altogether.

There's at least 30 FCS schools that could make a go of it in FBS, but there's not many slots left. See the Big Sky, MVC, and CAA moving up if given the chance.

(12-20-2015 03:34 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(12-20-2015 02:35 PM)LR Eagle Wrote:  I don't see anyone dropping to FCS voluntarily, maybe Idaho if the Sun Belt doesn't renew their football only deal and they can't make a go of it as a Western indy. The cost cuts from going FCS do not offset the much larger cuts in revenue that come with it, plus the much lower level of exposure makes it hard to justify. If you're going to drop, you may as well drop to D-II or kill football altogether.

There's at least 30 FCS schools that could make a go of it in FBS, but there's not many slots left. See the Big Sky, MVC, and CAA moving up if given the chance.

30, no way.
NDSU yes

(12-20-2015 04:33 PM)Dman Wrote:  

(12-20-2015 03:34 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(12-20-2015 02:35 PM)LR Eagle Wrote:  I don't see anyone dropping to FCS voluntarily, maybe Idaho if the Sun Belt doesn't renew their football only deal and they can't make a go of it as a Western indy. The cost cuts from going FCS do not offset the much larger cuts in revenue that come with it, plus the much lower level of exposure makes it hard to justify. If you're going to drop, you may as well drop to D-II or kill football altogether.

There's at least 30 FCS schools that could make a go of it in FBS, but there's not many slots left. See the Big Sky, MVC, and CAA moving up if given the chance.

30, no way.
NDSU yes

If the MAC was FCS right now, two schools would be FBS candidates: NIU and Toledo. Ohio would be honorable mention. Portland St, Sac St, UCDavis, Cal Poly, Stony Brook, Albany, Youngstown St, Delaware are at least as capable of FBS as FIU and FAU were.

Appy St should have been FBS thirty years ago. They and Ga So simmered too long in FCS.

(12-20-2015 01:48 PM)goofus Wrote:  I know this idea may not be popular, but I believe the service academies would be better suited for FCS. All 3 of them.

Army, Navy, AFA

They really can't compete in women's sports and are limited in what they can do in men's sports. The football teams are stuck running the triple option forever. The basketball team for Navy has a height limit.

Army especially seems over-matched.

AFA turned down an all-sports invite to the Big12 because they knew they could not compete. That should tell you right there they should move down a level.

Idaho, Wyoming, AFA all would be better off in the Big Sky.

You realize that FCS/FBS is only a football designation and does not apply to other sports, right? All FBS and FCS schools are D-I in all sports they sponsor. FBS and FCS are just divisions within D-I for football only.

(12-20-2015 12:59 PM)NoDak Wrote:  Wyoming, while historically ok and financially sound, seems to be in a league over its head. Wyoming has a very difficult time in recruiting for anything, as the state produces rodeo athletes, not football and basketball players.

Wyoming, while historically ahead of Idaho, Montana, and Dakota schools, now sees it lead diminishing over them, and soon those neighboring state schools could be on par athletically.

How great would it be to have all those schools in one conference.

(12-20-2015 06:30 PM)tribe_pride Wrote:  

(12-20-2015 01:48 PM)goofus Wrote:  I know this idea may not be popular, but I believe the service academies would be better suited for FCS. All 3 of them.

Army, Navy, AFA

They really can't compete in women's sports and are limited in what they can do in men's sports. The football teams are stuck running the triple option forever. The basketball team for Navy has a height limit.

Army especially seems over-matched.

AFA turned down an all-sports invite to the Big12 because they knew they could not compete. That should tell you right there they should move down a level.

Idaho, Wyoming, AFA all would be better off in the Big Sky.

You realize that FCS/FBS is only a football designation and does not apply to other sports, right? All FBS and FCS schools are D-I in all sports they sponsor. FBS and FCS are just divisions within D-I for football only.

yes but it does limit the conferences they can join which is why it is important. The service academies can never join a P5 conference because their other sports limit their ability to join all sports.

(12-20-2015 01:48 PM)goofus Wrote:  I know this idea may not be popular, but I believe the service academies would be better suited for FCS. All 3 of them.

Army, Navy, AFA

They really can't compete in women's sports and are limited in what they can do in men's sports. The football teams are stuck running the triple option forever. The basketball team for Navy has a height limit.

Army especially seems over-matched.

AFA turned down an all-sports invite to the Big12 because they knew they could not compete. That should tell you right there they should move down a level.

Idaho, Wyoming, AFA all would be better off in the Big Sky.

Army lost 7 games by 6 points or less. We can compete. Besides, our presence adds spice to the stew of college athletics.

Air Force and Navy have been remarkably competitive.

Please think before you post.

(12-20-2015 07:03 PM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  

(12-20-2015 01:48 PM)goofus Wrote:  I know this idea may not be popular, but I believe the service academies would be better suited for FCS. All 3 of them.

Army, Navy, AFA

They really can't compete in women's sports and are limited in what they can do in men's sports. The football teams are stuck running the triple option forever. The basketball team for Navy has a height limit.

Army especially seems over-matched.

AFA turned down an all-sports invite to the Big12 because they knew they could not compete. That should tell you right there they should move down a level.

Idaho, Wyoming, AFA all would be better off in the Big Sky.

Army lost 7 games by 6 points or less. We can compete. Besides, our presence adds spice to the stew of college athletics.

Air Force and Navy have been remarkably competitive.

Please think before you post.

thanks for the feedback. Now I would appreciate it if you now try to understand my original point. That there are imitations in the conferences they can join and limitations in the way they can compete. It invites the question are they in or not? Its a legitimate question that is worth asking.

(12-20-2015 06:30 PM)tribe_pride Wrote:  You realize that FCS/FBS is only a football designation and does not apply to other sports, right? All FBS and FCS schools are D-I in all sports they sponsor. FBS and FCS are just divisions within D-I for football only.

Indeed, if Army and Navy were forced to drop down to FCS, they wouldn't have to change their BBall / Olympic-sports conference ... so every single claim about any sport other than football is entirely irrelevant to FBS vs FCS for them, and that ought to have been obvious on a moment's reflection.

(12-20-2015 12:59 PM)NoDak Wrote:  Wyoming, while historically ok and financially sound, seems to be in a league over its head. Wyoming has a very difficult time in recruiting for anything, as the state produces rodeo athletes, not football and basketball players.

Wyoming, while historically ahead of Idaho, Montana, and Dakota schools, now sees it lead diminishing over them, and soon those neighboring state schools could be on par athletically.

Wyoming actually did look into moving to FCS back when the FBS attendance "rule" was first announced.

(12-20-2015 09:41 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  

(12-20-2015 12:59 PM)NoDak Wrote:  Wyoming, while historically ok and financially sound, seems to be in a league over its head. Wyoming has a very difficult time in recruiting for anything, as the state produces rodeo athletes, not football and basketball players.

Wyoming, while historically ahead of Idaho, Montana, and Dakota schools, now sees it lead diminishing over them, and soon those neighboring state schools could be on par athletically.

Wyoming actually did look into moving to FCS back when the FBS attendance "rule" was first announced.

The state of Wyoming now has a trust fund from coal that would make its neighbors jealous, so financing it's sole four year school is not an issue. But Wyoming has a problem in that it's too dependent on out of state metros (Denver, SLC, Billings, even Rapid City), so it's own cities seem to languish. Casper is too visciously windy and harsh to be very attractive to outsiders. Cheyenne and Laramie are just too close to Fort Collins and Denver.

Big Sky who can compete at FBS levels from history?
Portland State
Eastern Washington
Montana
Montana State
Sacramento State
Northern Arizona
North Dakota
Weber State
Cal-Davis
Cal-Poly
Plau Azusa Pacific at D2 have upset FCS schools from the Big Sky in the past.

Big South
Liberty football have upset some G5 schools in the past couple of years. I could point out how strong Kennesaw State was this year as well. They started out the right way by going the Club team route to build their program up first to get practice in. They could be the next South Alabama and Old Dominion in the FBS.

The whole CAA could compete against the ACC very well. It is like their national rivals. I could see Villanova move their football to the Patriot League.

Florida A&M, Delaware State both at one point interested to join the FBS ranks. I could see Howard, Hampton, NC A&T likes might want to experiment to join FBS.

The whole MVFC with Wichita State and New Mexico State plus a West Texas A&M in the future might work out. West Texas A&M could be a travel partner for New Mexico State.

NEC Central Conn. State might be good for a G5 slot. Could be a part of the CAA in the future. Just depends if the CAA basketball schools leave to form a conference or move to the NEC or A10 conferences, and move the football schools into the CAA. Trade schools out.

Jacksonville State, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee State might try it. North Alabama that is rumored to go here can join them in FBS in the future.

Fordham and Holy Cross could move up.

Dayton mentioned FBS. They want into a better conference for their basketball program, but the Big East do not want them. Joining the FBS ranks and getting into like C-USA or AAC might be a goal for them.

McNeese State, Lamar, Sam Houston State and Central Arkansas could compete well with FBS schools.

Chattanooga, Western Carolina, Furman and The Citadel have done well against FBS.

Alabama State and Jackson State might do well. The game between Alabama State and Tuskegee draws FBS type of crowds.

Eastern Michigan, Idaho, New Mexico State, Kent State, Ball State and San Jose State draws small crowds. They should drop down.

Long Beach State, Fullerton State, Cal-Riverside, Cal-Irvine, Northridge State, Cal-San Diego, Utah Valley, Grand Canyon, Milwaukee, Texas-RGV, Texas A&M-C.C., Little Rock, UTA, SIU-Edwardsville and some other D1 schools could start or re-start football in the future.

(12-20-2015 11:48 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Big Sky who can compete at FBS levels from history?
Portland State
Eastern Washington
Montana
Montana State
Sacramento State
Northern Arizona
North Dakota
Weber State
Cal-Davis
Cal-Poly
Plau Azusa Pacific at D2 have upset FCS schools from the Big Sky in the past.

Big South
Liberty football have upset some G5 schools in the past couple of years. I could point out how strong Kennesaw State was this year as well. They started out the right way by going the Club team route to build their program up first to get practice in. They could be the next South Alabama and Old Dominion in the FBS.

The whole CAA could compete against the ACC very well. It is like their national rivals. I could see Villanova move their football to the Patriot League.

Florida A&M, Delaware State both at one point interested to join the FBS ranks. I could see Howard, Hampton, NC A&T likes might want to experiment to join FBS.

The whole MVFC with Wichita State and New Mexico State plus a West Texas A&M in the future might work out. West Texas A&M could be a travel partner for New Mexico State.

NEC Central Conn. State might be good for a G5 slot. Could be a part of the CAA in the future. Just depends if the CAA basketball schools leave to form a conference or move to the NEC or A10 conferences, and move the football schools into the CAA. Trade schools out.

Jacksonville State, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee State might try it. North Alabama that is rumored to go here can join them in FBS in the future.

Fordham and Holy Cross could move up.

Dayton mentioned FBS. They want into a better conference for their basketball program, but the Big East do not want them. Joining the FBS ranks and getting into like C-USA or AAC might be a goal for them.

McNeese State, Lamar, Sam Houston State and Central Arkansas could compete well with FBS schools.

Chattanooga, Western Carolina, Furman and The Citadel have done well against FBS.

Alabama State and Jackson State might do well. The game between Alabama State and Tuskegee draws FBS type of crowds.

Eastern Michigan, Idaho, New Mexico State, Kent State, Ball State and San Jose State draws small crowds. They should drop down.

Long Beach State, Fullerton State, Cal-Riverside, Cal-Irvine, Northridge State, Cal-San Diego, Utah Valley, Grand Canyon, Milwaukee, Texas-RGV, Texas A&M-C.C., Little Rock, UTA, SIU-Edwardsville and some other D1 schools could start or re-start football in the future.

original question was "Is there a school you think would be more successful in the FBS as opposed to the FCS? This includes their recent success, strong attendance, a thriving and traveling fan based, and willingness to grow. "

(12-20-2015 11:48 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Big Sky who can compete at FBS levels from history?
Portland State
Eastern Washington
Montana
Montana State
Sacramento State
Northern Arizona
North Dakota
Weber State
Cal-Davis
Cal-Poly
Plau Azusa Pacific at D2 have upset FCS schools from the Big Sky in the past.

Big South
Liberty football have upset some G5 schools in the past couple of years. I could point out how strong Kennesaw State was this year as well. They started out the right way by going the Club team route to build their program up first to get practice in. They could be the next South Alabama and Old Dominion in the FBS.

The whole CAA could compete against the ACC very well. It is like their national rivals. I could see Villanova move their football to the Patriot League.

Florida A&M, Delaware State both at one point interested to join the FBS ranks. I could see Howard, Hampton, NC A&T likes might want to experiment to join FBS.

The whole MVFC with Wichita State and New Mexico State plus a West Texas A&M in the future might work out. West Texas A&M could be a travel partner for New Mexico State.

NEC Central Conn. State might be good for a G5 slot. Could be a part of the CAA in the future. Just depends if the CAA basketball schools leave to form a conference or move to the NEC or A10 conferences, and move the football schools into the CAA. Trade schools out.

Jacksonville State, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee State might try it. North Alabama that is rumored to go here can join them in FBS in the future.

Fordham and Holy Cross could move up.

Dayton mentioned FBS. They want into a better conference for their basketball program, but the Big East do not want them. Joining the FBS ranks and getting into like C-USA or AAC might be a goal for them.

McNeese State, Lamar, Sam Houston State and Central Arkansas could compete well with FBS schools.

Chattanooga, Western Carolina, Furman and The Citadel have done well against FBS.

Alabama State and Jackson State might do well. The game between Alabama State and Tuskegee draws FBS type of crowds.

Eastern Michigan, Idaho, New Mexico State, Kent State, Ball State and San Jose State draws small crowds. They should drop down.

Long Beach State, Fullerton State, Cal-Riverside, Cal-Irvine, Northridge State, Cal-San Diego, Utah Valley, Grand Canyon, Milwaukee, Texas-RGV, Texas A&M-C.C., Little Rock, UTA, SIU-Edwardsville and some other D1 schools could start or re-start football in the future.

original question was "Is there a school you think would be more successful in the FBS as opposed to the FCS? This includes their recent success, strong attendance, a thriving and traveling fan based, and willingness to grow. "