FBS indy. So many pros, so few cons?

I know, let's monitor the situation for ten more years to eventually get an invite to an obscure G5 conference that will then commence to crap on us even worse than the CAA did.

Or, we can go FBS indy where we won't have to worry about that and can make our own way in the world, scheduling REAL peers instead of backwater bottom-feeders our new conference is forcing us to schedule.

Now THIS is the innovative, out-of-box discourse that these boards have been in desperate need of.





























Anyone know what ever happened to Ham’s?

Your CFP payout would only be around $300k (big difference from the $1 mill the SBC teams get) and would have zero access to the G5 access bowl spot. You'd have to hope ESPN would sign you to a Bowl Pool contract

At least you'd be away from FloSports

(05-15-2021 07:20 AM)Yosef Himself Wrote:  Your CFP payout would only be around $300k (big difference from the $1 mill the SBC teams get) and would have zero access to the G5 access bowl spot. You'd have to hope ESPN would sign you to a Bowl Pool contract

At least you'd be away from FloSports

Our odds of getting in the Belt appear to be slim and none, and if it happens any time, it won't be soon by all appearances. I would love it, though, as I'm sure most of our fanbase would.

In the meantime, we can certainly increase our stock value by going FBS indy. Why dwell in the stench of a bush league conference that hates us?

And, I forget the amazing riches that the CAA showers upon us, but as I recall, it isn't so far off the $300K you cited. We would simply gain more schollies, increase the power and exposure of our football team, treat our fan base to a much-improved brand of football and waaaaaaaaay better level of competition, as well as making JMU a prime candidate for any conference looking for a new member that brings the most to the table.

So, you really think we should continue sitting on our hands and monitoring the situation, waiting for the Sun Belt to call? How long do We the Fans wait? It has already been over a decade. Do you suggest we wait another decade.... or two, or just believe that it is going to happen because (insert your meaningless forecast here)?

(05-15-2021 07:20 AM)Yosef Himself Wrote:  Your CFP payout would only be around $300k (big difference from the $1 mill the SBC teams get) and would have zero access to the G5 access bowl spot. You'd have to hope ESPN would sign you to a Bowl Pool contract

At least you'd be away from FloSports

No we wouldn't. We would still need to deal with Flo for the rest of our sports.

Plus, who's gonna put us on their schedule, especially late in the season when everyone's deep in their schedules?
The other indies:
BYU
Army
Liberty
UMass
Notre Dame
UConn
NM State

Well, I think you can forget ever getting Notre Dame. BYU maybe every 10 years, and Army maybe every 5, if we're lucky, so let's leave them off the list
So, figure we'll want 11 games. Let's be optimistic:
1) P5 payday away
2) FCS cupcake @ home
3) Liberty (pseudo-conference game)
4) NM state (same)
5) UMass (same)
6) UConn (same)
7-11) ?

You could probably get any two of ODU, Richmond, W&M, and VMI, and any 1 of Marshall, Navy, App St, ECU, Coastal in there.

Still, that's only 9 games. And as pointed out, we still have to find a home for all the other sports, and any bowl would be a long shot. If the purpose is to be sitting and ready with a good team, a big stadium, etc, for a conference to call, I spose that's fine, but you're still waiting on something out of your control. If you want to make it indefinite, you'll have to really work hard to find opponents and accept no playoffs and almost bowls.

You all will get bowls. Thats not the issue. Youll sign an agreement of some sort with espn to get your foot in the door as Liberty did.

The CFP money and chance at the Access Bowl will not be there (barring a top 6 rank).

What you will get is an immediately rejuvenated fan base which would return to rabid fan status with schools such as Marshall, App, ECU, Navy, ODU, VaTech Liberty potentially paying a visit to JMU.

(05-15-2021 02:45 PM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote:  You all will get bowls. Thats not the issue. Youll sign an agreement of some sort with espn to get your foot in the door as Liberty did.

The CFP money and chance at the Access Bowl will not be there (barring a top 6 rank).

What you will get is an immediately rejuvenated fan base which would return to rabid fan status with schools such as Marshall, App, ECU, Navy, ODU, VaTech Liberty potentially paying a visit to JMU.

Yes, it isn't as impossible as some people want to believe. Lots of G5 and P5 schools are looking for opponents that draw. Shed of the FCS label, FBS schools that previously wouldn't play us because they couldn't risk losing to an FCS school, will be happy to play us as a peer.

Purple is preparing to write an annual check for $5 mil today, payable to JMU athletics. The money will cover the cost of going FBS independent, with future guarantees Purple will write $5 million annual checks for the next 10 years, or until JMU is invited into the AAC or a P5.

Thank you Purple!

(05-15-2021 04:10 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  Purple is preparing to write an annual check for $5 mil today, payable to JMU athletics. The money will cover the cost of going FBS independent, with future guarantees Purple will write $5 million annual checks for the next 10 years, or until JMU is invited into the AAC or a P5.

Thank you Purple!

Pay no attention to Horny, folks. The home only gives him internet access on Saturdays.

Furthermore, if we go FBS, my financial support will increase dramatically, as I'm sure the support of others will.

Unless you have a bowl affiliation in, would be cautious. Money wise the extra payday game makes up for the CFP money and depending on conference perhaps a second to make up for lack of a decent money media contract as the MAC has with 10 M and CUSA and Sunbelt lack.

Perhaps it's the quality but look at the indies with bowl tie-ins. Strong correlation to those with bowl tie-ins and winning. That said it would be nice to play you, but as it is we do not have room for UConn after this year. Scheduling is not an issue.

(05-14-2021 06:20 PM)Purple Wrote:  FBS indy. So many pros, so few cons?

I think the NCAA has stated no conference, no FBS. Liberty was a special situation due to its religious ties.

(05-15-2021 07:13 PM)PhillyDuke Wrote:  

(05-14-2021 06:20 PM)Purple Wrote:  FBS indy. So many pros, so few cons?

I think the NCAA has stated no conference, no FBS. Liberty was a special situation due to its religious ties.

I don’t see what religion has to do with the price of tea in China. NMSU, UCONN, and UMASS are public. The NCAA opened that door by allowing Liberty in. The NCAA also knew that Liberty has endless trunks of money and were planning on filing a lawsuit had the NCAA denied their petition.

One thing about CUSA vs the MAC. When we were in the MAC, we LOST money going to bowls because we had to foot the travel bill etc. CUSA pays our way. So not only do we get CFP money, we also get bowl stipend.

And whomever mentioned looking at the Indies with bowl ties, lol. Those would be Notre Dame, BYU, and Liberty.

Notre Dame is a P5 blue blood and BYU is a national brand. Liberty has a whopping two year bowl history. The jury is still out. Apples and oranges.

(05-15-2021 07:59 PM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote:  

(05-15-2021 07:13 PM)PhillyDuke Wrote:  

(05-14-2021 06:20 PM)Purple Wrote:  FBS indy. So many pros, so few cons?

I think the NCAA has stated no conference, no FBS. Liberty was a special situation due to its religious ties.

I don’t see what religion has to do with the price of tea in China. NMSU, UCONN, and UMASS are public. The NCAA opened that door by allowing Liberty in. The NCAA also knew that Liberty has endless trunks of money and were planning on filing a lawsuit had the NCAA denied their petition.

One thing about CUSA vs the MAC. When we were in the MAC, we LOST money going to bowls because we had to foot the travel bill etc. CUSA pays our way. So not only do we get CFP money, we also get bowl stipend.

And whomever mentioned looking at the Indies with bowl ties, lol. Those would be Notre Dame, BYU, and Liberty.

Notre Dame is a P5 blue blood and BYU is a national brand. Liberty has a whopping two year bowl history. The jury is still out. Apples and oranges.

I'm not disagreeing with that. But Liberty was granted admission AFTER all of those schools. The NCAA wanted to slow the spread of non-affiliated FBS.

(05-15-2021 08:29 PM)PhillyDuke Wrote:  

(05-15-2021 07:59 PM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote:  

(05-15-2021 07:13 PM)PhillyDuke Wrote:  

(05-14-2021 06:20 PM)Purple Wrote:  FBS indy. So many pros, so few cons?

I think the NCAA has stated no conference, no FBS. Liberty was a special situation due to its religious ties.

I don’t see what religion has to do with the price of tea in China. NMSU, UCONN, and UMASS are public. The NCAA opened that door by allowing Liberty in. The NCAA also knew that Liberty has endless trunks of money and were planning on filing a lawsuit had the NCAA denied their petition.

One thing about CUSA vs the MAC. When we were in the MAC, we LOST money going to bowls because we had to foot the travel bill etc. CUSA pays our way. So not only do we get CFP money, we also get bowl stipend.

And whomever mentioned looking at the Indies with bowl ties, lol. Those would be Notre Dame, BYU, and Liberty.

Notre Dame is a P5 blue blood and BYU is a national brand. Liberty has a whopping two year bowl history. The jury is still out. Apples and oranges.

I'm not disagreeing with that. But Liberty was granted admission AFTER all of those schools. The NCAA wanted to slow the spread of non-affiliated FBS.

I agree wholeheartedly with what you are saying. The NCAA absolutely wanted that. And Liberty wrecked them.. I don’t see how they can now discriminate against JMU for wanting to move up.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe in conferences unless you are a juggernaut. However, I think JMU need to crap or get off the pot. The time is now. Declare, move up and at least be on the table when things shake up... and they will eventually.

I would love to see JMU in CUSA I f the MWC takes UTEP. But you’re gonna have to be all in. No fb only. I know Purple might take issue with that, but what is a better remedy? I dunno

I wonder if the Covid fall season and the experience we had trying to schedule as an independent has any impact in terms of that path moving forward.

I don’t think how easy or hard it was to schedule in Fall (on short notice with Covid protocols as an elite FCS) would have any relevance on how easy or hard scheduling as an independent transitioning FBS school would be but who knows what the perception may be.

AAC or bust!

(05-16-2021 01:21 AM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote:  

(05-15-2021 08:29 PM)PhillyDuke Wrote:  

(05-15-2021 07:59 PM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote:  

(05-15-2021 07:13 PM)PhillyDuke Wrote:  

(05-14-2021 06:20 PM)Purple Wrote:  FBS indy. So many pros, so few cons?

I think the NCAA has stated no conference, no FBS. Liberty was a special situation due to its religious ties.

I don’t see what religion has to do with the price of tea in China. NMSU, UCONN, and UMASS are public. The NCAA opened that door by allowing Liberty in. The NCAA also knew that Liberty has endless trunks of money and were planning on filing a lawsuit had the NCAA denied their petition.

One thing about CUSA vs the MAC. When we were in the MAC, we LOST money going to bowls because we had to foot the travel bill etc. CUSA pays our way. So not only do we get CFP money, we also get bowl stipend.

And whomever mentioned looking at the Indies with bowl ties, lol. Those would be Notre Dame, BYU, and Liberty.

Notre Dame is a P5 blue blood and BYU is a national brand. Liberty has a whopping two year bowl history. The jury is still out. Apples and oranges.

I'm not disagreeing with that. But Liberty was granted admission AFTER all of those schools. The NCAA wanted to slow the spread of non-affiliated FBS.

I agree wholeheartedly with what you are saying. The NCAA absolutely wanted that. And Liberty wrecked them.. I don’t see how they can now discriminate against JMU for wanting to move up.

Exactly!

Quote:Don’t get me wrong, I believe in conferences unless you are a juggernaut. However, I think JMU need to crap or get off the pot. The time is now. Declare, move up and at least be on the table when things shake up... and they will eventually.

Exactly!

Quote: I would love to see JMU in CUSA I f the MWC takes UTEP. But you’re gonna have to be all in. No fb only. I know Purple might take issue with that, but what is a better remedy? I dunno

I have no issue with that, besides the very valid point that many have made that travel for other sports becomes a financial burden we may not be able to bear. However, I could see a 7-member Northern Division including Marshall, JMU, Charlotte, ODU, Middle Tennessee, WKU, and UAB, the most distant member from JMU being UAB, which is 200 miles closer than Orono, Maine. That would actually make for a very strong division and fairly tight shot group. El Paso is such an outlier it shouldn't be in the conference anyway. And, they are very bad at football. Swapping UTEP for JMU would be a very wise decision for CUSA. If Marshall and ODU give us a plug, I could see it happening. I could see very strong rivalries growing with both schools, or should I say "resuming?"

I would love to see us in CUSA or the Sun Belt. The problem is we have been waiting for over a decade and not only has that not happened, but there is apparently no plan whatsoever to get JMU into either of those conferences, or at least nothing that we the mushrooms have been told.

I am just very anti-CAA right now after seeing how the so-called conference has treated my alma mater. Is there any guarantee we will be treated any better in another conference? No!

So, until the right opportunity appears, why don't we just go indy and increase our stock value immediately and enjoy a schedule that is ten times as exciting as our current schedule? We can still play Marshall. In fact, we can play anyone we damned well please. What is wrong with that?

(05-16-2021 10:37 AM)Purple Wrote:  

(05-16-2021 01:21 AM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote:  

(05-15-2021 08:29 PM)PhillyDuke Wrote:  

(05-15-2021 07:59 PM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote:  

(05-15-2021 07:13 PM)PhillyDuke Wrote:  I think the NCAA has stated no conference, no FBS. Liberty was a special situation due to its religious ties.

I don’t see what religion has to do with the price of tea in China. NMSU, UCONN, and UMASS are public. The NCAA opened that door by allowing Liberty in. The NCAA also knew that Liberty has endless trunks of money and were planning on filing a lawsuit had the NCAA denied their petition.

One thing about CUSA vs the MAC. When we were in the MAC, we LOST money going to bowls because we had to foot the travel bill etc. CUSA pays our way. So not only do we get CFP money, we also get bowl stipend.

And whomever mentioned looking at the Indies with bowl ties, lol. Those would be Notre Dame, BYU, and Liberty.

Notre Dame is a P5 blue blood and BYU is a national brand. Liberty has a whopping two year bowl history. The jury is still out. Apples and oranges.

I'm not disagreeing with that. But Liberty was granted admission AFTER all of those schools. The NCAA wanted to slow the spread of non-affiliated FBS.

I agree wholeheartedly with what you are saying. The NCAA absolutely wanted that. And Liberty wrecked them.. I don’t see how they can now discriminate against JMU for wanting to move up.

Exactly!

Quote:Don’t get me wrong, I believe in conferences unless you are a juggernaut. However, I think JMU need to crap or get off the pot. The time is now. Declare, move up and at least be on the table when things shake up... and they will eventually.

Exactly!

Quote: I would love to see JMU in CUSA I f the MWC takes UTEP. But you’re gonna have to be all in. No fb only. I know Purple might take issue with that, but what is a better remedy? I dunno

I have no issue with that, besides the very valid point that many have made that travel for other sports becomes a financial burden we may not be able to bear. However, I could see a 7-member Northern Division including Marshall, JMU, Charlotte, ODU, Middle Tennessee, WKU, and UAB, the most distant member from JMU being UAB, which is 200 miles closer than Orono, Maine. That would actually make for a very strong division and fairly tight shot group. El Paso is such an outlier it shouldn't be in the conference anyway. And, they are very bad at football. Swapping UTEP for JMU would be a very wise decision for CUSA. If Marshall and ODU give us a plug, I could see it happening. I could see very strong rivalries growing with both schools, or should I say "resuming?"

I would love to see us in CUSA or the Sun Belt. The problem is we have been waiting for over a decade and not only has that not happened, but there is apparently no plan whatsoever to get JMU into either of those conferences, or at least nothing that we the mushrooms have been told.

I am just very anti-CAA right now after seeing how the so-called conference has treated my alma mater. Is there any guarantee we will be treated any better in another conference? No!

So, until the right opportunity appears, why don't we just go indy and increase our stock value immediately and enjoy a schedule that is ten times as exciting as our current schedule? We can still play Marshall. In fact, we can play anyone we damned well please. What is wrong with that?

I enjoy your passion P, but you know what’s wrong with “that.”

Lack of $$$ and lots of it.

Outside of a COVID screwed-up year, and FLO limiting JMU fans online viewing of our teams, the 2020-21 season has been spectacularly successful. The CAA has done no favors to JMU’s ambitions of a higher national sports profile by nixing ESPN in favor of FLO, but the number of JMU teams reaching the level of post-season play in a NCAAT has to be close to a one-year record. A change in conference affiliation, or your pie-in-the sky dream of going independent, could not have done better.