Idaho has moved down to the FCS. Some G5 programs are seeing cutbacks within their athletic departments. And, faculty at some universities are complaining about the funding for athletics. We all know the cost of funding FBS football is continuing to rise. If another program moves down within the next 5 years, who do you think it will be, and why?

I don't think anyone will. I don't think any of the schools like NMSU save enough money by moving down to justify it.

Honestly if for some reason TXST had to drop down I'd rather us just end football and focus on basketball. That shouldn't be a concern though.

There are a few MAC schools that probably would be better off football-wise, but for all other sports/travel etc there really isn't a better alternative.

Idaho was unique for several reasons:

1) No FBS conference nearby with openings. You can bet that if the MWC had invited them, they would still be FBS
2) Too isolated to make a reasonable stab at independence. NMSU has two games guaranteed right now every year - UNM and UTEP. With one of those guaranteed to be a home game, that is a nice start to a schedule. If Idaho had long term home and home deals with Boise and WAZZOU, it would have made the decision to move down harder
3) Idaho had a FCS conference that in every way was a better fit than any other conference could be - regional and historic rivals, some drivable games.

Yup. Cutting football is how you generate significant savings. Running a successful FCS cost as much as FBS—and the marketing team impact is infinitely smaller. There really is little reason to complete at the FCS level.

UConn

But more than 5 years from now. It will be to save money, $15-20m or so annually. A major reduction in the program. They will try to join the Big East at that time. But all after 2025 when they do not get a P5 invite.

Some schools will drop football. Probably 1 or 2 in the next five years. Not sure who, but a few candidates we can all guess..

If anything it will be the Elite programs “moving up”. I’m not a fan of it, but I think that’s more likely than any current FBS dropping down. Had the WAC not fallen apart, Idaho would be FBS. I don’t see any other leagues folding.

I would say NMSU, but I think they might eventually find a landing spot.

Louisiana Monroe. They are in a tough financial position.

New Mexico St. has no home, so they are 2nd most likely.

(07-20-2018 07:45 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  UConn

But more than 5 years from now. It will be to save money, $15-20m or so annually. A major reduction in the program. They will try to join the Big East at that time. But all after 2025 when they do not get a P5 invite.

Some schools will drop football. Probably 1 or 2 in the next five years. Not sure who, but a few candidates we can all guess..

In reality, hard to say. But the schools I think should are Eastern Michigan because of the lack of support in attendance and ULM since they have a D2 budget and their attendance is all up to snuff.

I would throw in San Jose St if they don't get their act together soon. They would fit the Big Sky well.

Probably Eastern Michigan, Kent State, or Ball State.

(07-20-2018 10:06 PM)seaking4steel Wrote:  Probably Eastern Michigan, Kent State, or Ball State.

Ball State I don't think would drop as the only G5 school in Indiana. They've had periodic success in MAC football.

EMU and Kent though outside of just a handful of good seasons have done nothing decade after decade. They might be able to negotiate dropping FB and staying in the MAC.

EMU doesn’t have much football success at any level as even Ypsilanti cares about the Wolverines more. Grand Valley St would be a much better MAC option, as Grand Rapids doesn’t have its own DI school. CMU and WMU would no like that though.

CTE could play a factor at some of the struggling schools.

Could Rice decide to place a deemphasis on football over CTE?

(07-21-2018 02:03 AM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(07-20-2018 10:06 PM)seaking4steel Wrote:  Probably Eastern Michigan, Kent State, or Ball State.

Ball State I don't think would drop as the only G5 school in Indiana. They've had periodic success in MAC football.

EMU and Kent though outside of just a handful of good seasons have done nothing decade after decade. They might be able to negotiate dropping FB and staying in the MAC.

If either of them dropped football they would most likely leave for the Horizon League. I believe the MAC requires its members to have football.

The only one I could see moving down is UMass, but it may take a decade. If they don’t get in a conference, and get completely cut off from CFP funds, I could see them move my down. The two mitigating factors are that there are now four other true independents (NMSU, Liberty, Army, BYU), and they have access to a pro stadium, even if the distance from campus is an issue.

I think if the Big 12 had expanded to 12 with West Virginia, Louisville, and one more AAC school, UMass would be in the AAC today.

(07-21-2018 02:12 AM)Kittonhead Wrote:  CTE could play a factor at some of the struggling schools.

Could Rice decide to place a deemphasis on football over CTE?

I agree with many of you that it will more likely be high level academic schools dropping football based on principle rather than borderline budget schools dropping because of money.

I would not be surprised at all if elite private schools start the first wave of dropping existing college football to more of a 7-on-7 reduced contact version or dropping the sport altogether. I could see the Ivy Leagues being the first to make the move with schools like NW, Vandy, Duke, Wake Forest, Boston College, Rice, and maybe Stanford following suit. It will be a much tougher sell at Notre Dame, USC, and Miami. Interesting thread topic.

Don't forget, Jim Delaney said the B1G would drop down to division 3 if they started paying players.

(07-21-2018 06:49 AM)chargeradio Wrote:  The only one I could see moving down is UMass, but it may take a decade. If they don’t get in a conference, and get completely cut off from CFP funds, I could see them move my down. The two mitigating factors are that there are now four other true independents (NMSU, Liberty, Army, BYU), and they have access to a pro stadium, even if the distance from campus is an issue.

I think if the Big 12 had expanded to 12 with West Virginia, Louisville, and one more AAC school, UMass would be in the AAC today.

UMass will need to solve thier on campus stadium issue and start growing thier attendance before any conference is going to give them any real consideration. They have potential—but the duct tape and bailing wire attitude toward thier stadium situation is a massive red flag in realignment.

(07-20-2018 10:00 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  In reality, hard to say. But the schools I think should are Eastern Michigan because of the lack of support in attendance and ULM since they have a D2 budget and their attendance is all up to snuff.

I would throw in San Jose St if they don't get their act together soon. They would fit the Big Sky well.

Yeah, it's too bad the MWC can't replace SJS and Hawaii with Montana & Montana St.

(07-21-2018 06:50 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  

(07-21-2018 02:12 AM)Kittonhead Wrote:  CTE could play a factor at some of the struggling schools.

Could Rice decide to place a deemphasis on football over CTE?

I agree with many of you that it will more likely be high level academic schools dropping football based on principle rather than borderline budget schools dropping because of money.

I would not be surprised at all if elite private schools start the first wave of dropping existing college football to more of a 7-on-7 reduced contact version or dropping the sport altogether. I could see the Ivy Leagues being the first to make the move with schools like NW, Vandy, Duke, Wake Forest, Boston College, Rice, and maybe Stanford following suit. It will be a much tougher sell at Notre Dame, USC, and Miami. Interesting thread topic.

Would it make more sense for it to begin with the Pioneer League since they have nothing riding on FB?

A rash of FCS programs mailing in CFB which then leads to FBS programs thinking it may be in their best interest.

Especially in the G5 where the TV money is not big and where the G5 conference could offer guarantees. When the MAC voted to expel EMU in 1984 it permitted them to remain members in basketball.

With both the SBC (UALR, UTA) and AAC (Wichita St) running hybrids and talk of the MWC going hybrid (Gonzaga) there could be more consideration in the future for non-FB members.