(03-01-2014 07:25 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(03-01-2014 02:57 PM)ken d Wrote:  What I find remarkable is that in 1978, when the decision was made to separate D-I into the FBS and FCS, there were only 145 schools playing D-I football. Now there are 252!

After the split, there were 95 teams in the FBS, and by 2016 there will be 129. It is easy to see the point of the HRG (P5) schools. There are way too many voices having a say in what happens at the top level of college football.

The P5 wants to chop the upper-level down to 65. That is way, way less than 95.

Another crucial difference is that in the old days, anybody could move up if they devoted the resources and money to their program. Now, the gates are closed, the bridges are blocked, and nobody can get in unless one of the Five Families gives you a special pass. In all the history of college sports, that is completely unprecedented.

I don't believe the P5 want to limit the top division to 65. I think they would be perfectly happy with a number around 90. So would I.