(02-27-2024 08:04 AM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(02-27-2024 07:52 AM)Madison 91 Forever Wrote:  The UMass to MAC news is a little odd, if only because if the MAC were intent to expand I'd have thought Delaware would have hone that route, too, rather than CUSA. Now the MAC will need another new school to have an even number. Western Kentucky?

Also, UMass is the bottom of the barrel in football. Preposterous that they are still in FBS.

Having an even number of schools doesn't matter as much as you'd think since conferences are doing away with divisions. The MAC recently announced scheduling pods, so as long as you can figure out the rotation you're ok adding a single school. With no divisions and 4 scheduling pods it appears they need four new entries, but obviously that won't be happening.

https://www.si.com/college/group-five/ma...-explained

Quote:“After significant study and discussion, our membership has made the decision to eliminate divisions in football,” said Steinbrecher. “A primary goal in our discussions centered around ensuring the scheduling methodology utilized facilitated the best opportunity to put the two best teams into the championship game. The new model will protect rivalries while facilitating a more even rotation of teams through each institution’s schedule.”

Quote:In the new model, each MAC team will face all 11 other conference opponents home and away at least once during a three-year cycle. Additionally, the new format will incorporate protected opponents based on geographic location and rivalries.

All 12 members will be guaranteed two conference opponents every season. Steinbrecher announced the following four three-team pods. Each team will play the other two teams in their pod once per regular season.

1. Akron, Buffalo, Kent State
2. Ball State, Miami (OH), Ohio
3. Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Toledo
4. Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan

The MAC has a lot more problems than divisions. Weakest conference in FBS with some of the worst fan support. The product isn't anything their own fans want.
Perhaps they feel like getting rid of divisions will make the conference more competitive and spark some more interest. UMass joining will mess up that pod idea, unless they have plans to add 3 more schools, but I doubt it.
I still think WKU will be joining very soon.

If MAC truly wants pods, they could add 3 (eg: UMass, UD, WKU) and go to 15. That would give either 5 pods of 3 or 3 pods of 5 teams.

Not really sure how to make 13 work well, and suspect they are close to adding at least one more.

(02-27-2024 08:19 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(02-27-2024 08:04 AM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(02-27-2024 07:52 AM)Madison 91 Forever Wrote:  The UMass to MAC news is a little odd, if only because if the MAC were intent to expand I'd have thought Delaware would have hone that route, too, rather than CUSA. Now the MAC will need another new school to have an even number. Western Kentucky?

Also, UMass is the bottom of the barrel in football. Preposterous that they are still in FBS.

Having an even number of schools doesn't matter as much as you'd think since conferences are doing away with divisions. The MAC recently announced scheduling pods, so as long as you can figure out the rotation you're ok adding a single school. With no divisions and 4 scheduling pods it appears they need four new entries, but obviously that won't be happening.

https://www.si.com/college/group-five/ma...-explained

Quote:“After significant study and discussion, our membership has made the decision to eliminate divisions in football,” said Steinbrecher. “A primary goal in our discussions centered around ensuring the scheduling methodology utilized facilitated the best opportunity to put the two best teams into the championship game. The new model will protect rivalries while facilitating a more even rotation of teams through each institution’s schedule.”

Quote:In the new model, each MAC team will face all 11 other conference opponents home and away at least once during a three-year cycle. Additionally, the new format will incorporate protected opponents based on geographic location and rivalries.

All 12 members will be guaranteed two conference opponents every season. Steinbrecher announced the following four three-team pods. Each team will play the other two teams in their pod once per regular season.

1. Akron, Buffalo, Kent State
2. Ball State, Miami (OH), Ohio
3. Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Toledo
4. Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan

The MAC has a lot more problems than divisions. Weakest conference in FBS with some of the worst fan support. The product isn't anything their own fans want.
Perhaps they feel like getting rid of divisions will make the conference more competitive and spark some more interest. UMass joining will mess up that pod idea, unless they have plans to add 3 more schools, but I doubt it.
I still think WKU will be joining very soon.

Much of that can be attributed to their contract with ESPN for mid-week games. Out of town fans can't travel for a Tuesday night game in those months and the conference in an idiotic move extended those games to include rivalries that would normally guarantee a full house to have nobody in attendance. But it doesn't matter so long as ESPNM airs the games and still cuts checks to the conference. Turn the tv to watch one of the games and nobody is there because they didn't want to take 2 days off from work to take ion a game on a brisk Tuesday night as opposed to driving in Saturday morning, catching a game in sunlight and then heading home. Season tickets have dropped off substantially because these schools have to schedule payday road games to help pay the bills since the gate receipts aren't there, then go through several weeks of goofy midweek schedules and then into the harsh weather of the rust belt as the season wraps up.

(02-27-2024 10:04 AM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(02-27-2024 08:19 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(02-27-2024 08:04 AM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(02-27-2024 07:52 AM)Madison 91 Forever Wrote:  The UMass to MAC news is a little odd, if only because if the MAC were intent to expand I'd have thought Delaware would have hone that route, too, rather than CUSA. Now the MAC will need another new school to have an even number. Western Kentucky?

Also, UMass is the bottom of the barrel in football. Preposterous that they are still in FBS.

Having an even number of schools doesn't matter as much as you'd think since conferences are doing away with divisions. The MAC recently announced scheduling pods, so as long as you can figure out the rotation you're ok adding a single school. With no divisions and 4 scheduling pods it appears they need four new entries, but obviously that won't be happening.

https://www.si.com/college/group-five/ma...-explained

Quote:“After significant study and discussion, our membership has made the decision to eliminate divisions in football,” said Steinbrecher. “A primary goal in our discussions centered around ensuring the scheduling methodology utilized facilitated the best opportunity to put the two best teams into the championship game. The new model will protect rivalries while facilitating a more even rotation of teams through each institution’s schedule.”

Quote:In the new model, each MAC team will face all 11 other conference opponents home and away at least once during a three-year cycle. Additionally, the new format will incorporate protected opponents based on geographic location and rivalries.

All 12 members will be guaranteed two conference opponents every season. Steinbrecher announced the following four three-team pods. Each team will play the other two teams in their pod once per regular season.

1. Akron, Buffalo, Kent State
2. Ball State, Miami (OH), Ohio
3. Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Toledo
4. Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan

The MAC has a lot more problems than divisions. Weakest conference in FBS with some of the worst fan support. The product isn't anything their own fans want.
Perhaps they feel like getting rid of divisions will make the conference more competitive and spark some more interest. UMass joining will mess up that pod idea, unless they have plans to add 3 more schools, but I doubt it.
I still think WKU will be joining very soon.

Much of that can be attributed to their contract with ESPN for mid-week games. Out of town fans can't travel for a Tuesday night game in those months and the conference in an idiotic move extended those games to include rivalries that would normally guarantee a full house to have nobody in attendance. But it doesn't matter so long as ESPNM airs the games and still cuts checks to the conference. Turn the tv to watch one of the games and nobody is there because they didn't want to take 2 days off from work to take ion a game on a brisk Tuesday night as opposed to driving in Saturday morning, catching a game in sunlight and then heading home. Season tickets have dropped off substantially because these schools have to schedule payday road games to help pay the bills since the gate receipts aren't there, then go through several weeks of goofy midweek schedules and then into the harsh weather of the rust belt as the season wraps up.

CUSA has a similar deal for weekday games and feel like it will have a similar long term impact on their fan bases. I'm pretty sure last year was the first year they did it. If I recall, the MAC actually attendance wasn't too bad when they started. However, after the novelty wore off, attendance started to take a nosedive.
While they are getting money from media deals, they are turning a blind eye to those that should matter... the fans of those schools.

The CAA is absolutely nailing this realignment thing! Joey must be proud of the powerhouse he’s created with huge national upsets.

(02-27-2024 11:58 AM)MarginalDuke Wrote:  

The CAA is absolutely nailing this realignment thing! Joey must be proud of the powerhouse he’s created with huge national upsets.

Aww how cute.
That is one of the smallest "storming the court" I have ever seen.
Maybe someday they'll be able to top Georgia State's raining money promotion.
Dream big, Camels.

Man I think I stormed the court with 10s of people when we beat VCU on a Juwann James layup in 2008. Those were the days. Some bad bad days. Taylor pointed out on the JMU Soundoff podcast that fans of the era from 2004-2007 had a combined 24 wins (6, 6, 5, 7). We have 26 wins and counting in one year this year.

(02-27-2024 12:29 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Man I think I stormed the court with 10s of people when we beat VCU on a Juwann James layup in 2008. Those were the days. Some bad bad days. Taylor pointed out on the JMU Soundoff podcast that fans of the era from 2004-2007 had a combined 24 wins (6, 6, 5, 7). We have 26 wins and counting in one year this year.

Ha I was just about to make the exact same reference. Say what you want about Joey D, but don't take it out on the Camels! Good for them.

(02-27-2024 12:29 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Man I think I stormed the court with 10s of people when we beat VCU on a Juwann James layup in 2008. Those were the days. Some bad bad days. Taylor pointed out on the JMU Soundoff podcast that fans of the era from 2004-2007 had a combined 24 wins (6, 6, 5, 7). We have 26 wins and counting in one year this year.

Those seasons were brutal, but somehow the masochist in me watched every game and even went to Richmond each year. Not sure I could di it now as I quit drinking and don't think I could make it through a season without alcohol.

(02-27-2024 12:31 PM)jmuwyhamhgawd Wrote:  

(02-27-2024 12:29 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Man I think I stormed the court with 10s of people when we beat VCU on a Juwann James layup in 2008. Those were the days. Some bad bad days. Taylor pointed out on the JMU Soundoff podcast that fans of the era from 2004-2007 had a combined 24 wins (6, 6, 5, 7). We have 26 wins and counting in one year this year.

Ha I was just about to make the exact same reference. Say what you want about Joey D, but don't take it out on the Camels! Good for them.

I actually think Campbell is one of the more solid CAA programs. Baseball, they’re definitely an upgrade. Football could be good. Might be Joey’s only solid add compared to the others. If A-10 poaches CoC, I bet Joey tries to add UAlbany or Maine as full-timers. However, Wofford would be an extremely solid get. But Joey will probably call up Randolph Macon.

(02-27-2024 01:55 PM)MarginalDuke Wrote:  

(02-27-2024 12:31 PM)jmuwyhamhgawd Wrote:  

(02-27-2024 12:29 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Man I think I stormed the court with 10s of people when we beat VCU on a Juwann James layup in 2008. Those were the days. Some bad bad days. Taylor pointed out on the JMU Soundoff podcast that fans of the era from 2004-2007 had a combined 24 wins (6, 6, 5, 7). We have 26 wins and counting in one year this year.

Ha I was just about to make the exact same reference. Say what you want about Joey D, but don't take it out on the Camels! Good for them.

I actually think Campbell is one of the more solid CAA programs. Baseball, they’re definitely an upgrade. Football could be good. Might be Joey’s only solid add compared to the others. If A-10 poaches CoC, I bet Joey tries to add UAlbany or Maine as full-timers. However, Wofford would be an extremely solid get. But Joey will probably call up Randolph Macon.

Its crazy in retrospect there was ever ANY debate about leaving. A few W&M fans hoping they get a shot at A10 with UMass departing.

This would be wild.

No conferences, Pro/Rel, leaguewide NIL, salary, union rules.

(04-05-2024 01:18 PM)JMaddy Wrote:  This would be wild.

No conferences, Pro/Rel, leaguewide NIL, salary, union rules.

Not real relegation. The P5 get protected and the G5 get 10 spots.

Schools like JMU, Boise State, App State, etc... should be getting a protected spot before Virginia Tech or Boston College but won't because of the P5 label.

I guess i could see that's how it starts out but I can't imagine how half of college football plays promotion/relegation then half plays in conferences and sub/divisions

(04-05-2024 01:18 PM)JMaddy Wrote:  This would be wild.

No conferences, Pro/Rel, leaguewide NIL, salary, union rules.

I think this idea started when a "weak p5" school (such as NC State or OK State) said "how can we protect ourselves from being on the outside looking in if things concentrate around the B1G/SEC and everyone else? "

This is really a scheme to keep ACC/Big12 in the conversation.

Another part of this idea that will not happen yet is the uneven distribution even among the permanent 70 schools. Can't imagine Vanderbilt, Oregon State, Stanford, etc. are going to be okay with losing some of their money so Alabama and Notre Dame can get a larger share just because they happen to be good now. What happens if Stanford hits their Harbaugh era prime and Alabama hits their Mike Shula low? Will payouts be recalculated? Is permanent promotion worth the ever widening gap between you and your division mates?

This particular scheme is never getting off the ground. But there will be others, and hopefully they get better.

(04-05-2024 02:25 PM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  Another part of this idea that will not happen yet is the uneven distribution even among the permanent 70 schools. Can't imagine Vanderbilt, Oregon State, Stanford, etc. are going to be okay with losing some of their money so Alabama and Notre Dame can get a larger share just because they happen to be good now. What happens if Stanford hits their Harbaugh era prime and Alabama hits their Mike Shula low? Will payouts be recalculated? Is permanent promotion worth the ever widening gap between you and your division mates?

This particular scheme is never getting off the ground. But there will be others, and hopefully they get better.

i'm not opposed to the idea, although I don't like the G5 having no chance to move "up" to join one of the top 7 divisions.... but overall, I'm on board. It's infinitely better than the **** show going on right now.

As for allocating the money, if you are going to go all Premier League on this plan, then you break up the money the same way they do.
the PL makes BILLIONS from worldwide TV money. But that money is allocated in 3 ways.

1) Everyone gets an equal share (33% of the total - I'm sure the G5 share will be les, but it would be a fixed amount)

2) You get paid for being on TV, with everyone guaranteed a certain amount of appearances. You'd have to base this on the prime main TV broadcast slots (noon/330/700/1000 - one for each broadcasting window), because every game is on TV, but that's easily worked out (33% of the total - or maybe a lesser share here and more in the other two areas)

3) the last and most equitable share is based on merit. The PL Champions get more of this 3rd of the pie than the team that finishes in last. the higher up the "table" you finish, the more of the merit share you get. So obviously the teams in the playoff get more, but at the same time, it creates incentives for EVERYONE to play out the season and try and finish "higher" on the merit table to earn more money for your program. (34% of the total)

if Stanford out performs Alabama for a period of years, they'll get more of the big pot. Over time though, Alabama will "earn" far more than Stanford as they'll likely be on TV more and likely perform better in the long haul. But at least this gives a Stanford or Syracuse or Missouri a shot to win AND earn big when they are having a good spell.

as a huge fan of the PL and European soccer, i'm not opposed to this plan at all.
i initially became a huge PL fan because it is the European cousin to college sports. Very tribal fan bases and very passionate. Just like college football. that's what drew me to it over a decade ago and it's become my second favorite sport after college football. The two are kindred spirits.

Actual Conference Realignment NEWS.

UD Men's Soccer to join the Summit League.

https://bluehens.com/news/2024/4/4/mens-...mit-league

It seems to me like a lower profile for soccer than the CAA, but I am no expert.

To stir the pot, here is my favorite part of the release.

"Delaware will remain in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) through the 2024-25 school year and will be eligible for both a league title and NCAA postseason competition."

(04-05-2024 03:04 PM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  

(04-05-2024 02:25 PM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  Another part of this idea that will not happen yet is the uneven distribution even among the permanent 70 schools. Can't imagine Vanderbilt, Oregon State, Stanford, etc. are going to be okay with losing some of their money so Alabama and Notre Dame can get a larger share just because they happen to be good now. What happens if Stanford hits their Harbaugh era prime and Alabama hits their Mike Shula low? Will payouts be recalculated? Is permanent promotion worth the ever widening gap between you and your division mates?

This particular scheme is never getting off the ground. But there will be others, and hopefully they get better.

i'm not opposed to the idea, although I don't like the G5 having no chance to move "up" to join one of the top 7 divisions.... but overall, I'm on board. It's infinitely better than the **** show going on right now.

As for allocating the money, if you are going to go all Premier League on this plan, then you break up the money the same way they do.
the PL makes BILLIONS from worldwide TV money. But that money is allocated in 3 ways.

1) Everyone gets an equal share (33% of the total - I'm sure the G5 share will be les, but it would be a fixed amount)

2) You get paid for being on TV, with everyone guaranteed a certain amount of appearances. You'd have to base this on the prime main TV broadcast slots (noon/330/700/1000 - one for each broadcasting window), because every game is on TV, but that's easily worked out (33% of the total - or maybe a lesser share here and more in the other two areas)

3) the last and most equitable share is based on merit. The PL Champions get more of this 3rd of the pie than the team that finishes in last. the higher up the "table" you finish, the more of the merit share you get. So obviously the teams in the playoff get more, but at the same time, it creates incentives for EVERYONE to play out the season and try and finish "higher" on the merit table to earn more money for your program. (34% of the total)

if Stanford out performs Alabama for a period of years, they'll get more of the big pot. Over time though, Alabama will "earn" far more than Stanford as they'll likely be on TV more and likely perform better in the long haul. But at least this gives a Stanford or Syracuse or Missouri a shot to win AND earn big when they are having a good spell.

as a huge fan of the PL and European soccer, i'm not opposed to this plan at all.
i initially became a huge PL fan because it is the European cousin to college sports. Very tribal fan bases and very passionate. Just like college football. that's what drew me to it over a decade ago and it's become my second favorite sport after college football. The two are kindred spirits.

I like this model as well, but I think that they need to make it full on Pro/Rel like in European soccer. Maybe protect the big boys for a period of time (say 10 years) but eventually if the bottom 8 schools in any given year include current P4 schools and a JMU or Tulane or Fresno for example finish above the Relegation line they should be allowed to continue to stay up.

Eventually in the Euro model the biggest and best will 'always' remain up, yes there can be that once in a generation time where they go down (Juventus or Rangers come to mind recently) so the teams with the lower budget will eventually always end up being the ones that are bouncing up and down but at least it gives them an equal shot to stay up for a prolonged period.

Going back to the EPL example, Blackburn (who actually won the first PL title) had a long run in the PL but then dropped down and haven't recovered, same for Portsmouth and Southhampton, while a Brighton Hove and Ablion, and Wolverhampton were long bouncing around between League One, Championship and the PL and have been pretty solidly established in the upper tier of the PL for the last few years.

$EC & P1G - are playing with fire on several levels.

The NFL will not stand for another upstart - league. If players are delaying entry for big NIL this hurts the NFL and forces up their labor costs.

If the NFL players union feels like their getting jammed - because players in 'college' make more, they will demand action in the NIL.

If NFL media rights deals get impacted, or the greedy P2 conferences ship more games overseas to get more $s and exposure.

Anti-trust violations.

Most of the college fanbase pissed at these schools and willing to stop watching their BS.

This is not much like the Premier League - except the P2 are trying to move up. Too many $s at stake, from NFL owners who basically have guaranteed profits - to let the P2 gather momentum and become even more of a threat.