With all the crazy goings on in the college football world the question of saturation comes to mind. Without new FBS conferences being formed, how many more teams will pass from FCS to FBS before the door closes? How long will that be? Just curious for folks' opinion here. I'm thinking that point is coming sooner than later.

(04-11-2013 07:42 PM)App State 85 Wrote:  With all the crazy goings on in the college football world the question of saturation comes to mind. Without new FBS conferences being formed, how many more teams will pass from FCS to FBS before the door closes? How long will that be? Just curious for folks' opinion here. I'm thinking that point is coming sooner than later.

Should have been closed years ago.

It will be hard to close forever but already a great divide between the top of FBS and the bottom. Several are closer aligned with the top of the FCS.

Some where around 273.

"Should have stopped letting schools in right after our team was added" - every college football fan ever

(04-11-2013 07:54 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  Some where around 273.

(04-11-2013 07:54 PM)Paul of Troy Wrote:  Some where around 273.

Which would mean we will have 137 bowl games. There goes my annual viewing of Miracle on 34th Street

I don't think there is a "right" number of schools but there might be a "right" number of conferences and I think we will see in a few years whether that right number is 11 or 10

Just because I'm OCD, it should stop at 128. 128 is a nice even number. It is also divisible by 16, so if the time comes that each league expands to 16 members, which is often rumored, that would give us 8 conferences. It would be interesting if that happened because once the big leagues add to get to 16, the trickle down effect will lead to the death of 2 conferences.

In my opinion, this should be the last chance to move up...period.

I have a legitimate question, this is not intended to be snarky. How could there be any kind of final limitation when doing so could potentially then open up the NCAA to being accused of violating racketeering or monopoly laws? As it is there has been speculation for years that someone at some point was going to get angry and sue on some ground like that as it is. For example, does anyone really believe that were Liberty to NOT receive an invite in this go around and then the NCAA were to declare the possibility of going FBS closed permanently that they wouldn't be suing the next day? (My opinions regarding Liberty notwithstanding I kind of feel they would have a point were that to happen.)

(04-11-2013 07:53 PM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  It will be hard to close forever but already a great divide between the top of FBS and the bottom. Several are closer aligned with the top of the FCS.

That has always been the case.

As I understand it, currently, a school must have an invitation from an existing FBS Conference in order to join the level of play. So, if Conferences ever stabalize, then the NCAA has essentially just eliminated the possibility of moving up without having to declare it. Problem solved.

Pay attention to any movements in policy regarding revenue distribution and/or Conference membership restrictions of any kind.

(04-11-2013 08:41 PM)fencereagle Wrote:  I have a legitimate question, this is not intended to be snarky. How could there be any kind of final limitation when doing so could potentially then open up the NCAA to being accused of violating racketeering or monopoly laws? As it is there has been speculation for years that someone at some point was going to get angry and sue on some ground like that as it is. For example, does anyone really believe that were Liberty to NOT receive an invite in this go around and then the NCAA were to declare the possibility of going FBS closed permanently that they wouldn't be suing the next day? (My opinions regarding Liberty notwithstanding I kind of feel they would have a point were that to happen.)

(04-11-2013 08:41 PM)fencereagle Wrote:  I have a legitimate question, this is not intended to be snarky. How could there be any kind of final limitation when doing so could potentially then open up the NCAA to being accused of violating racketeering or monopoly laws? As it is there has been speculation for years that someone at some point was going to get angry and sue on some ground like that as it is. For example, does anyone really believe that were Liberty to NOT receive an invite in this go around and then the NCAA were to declare the possibility of going FBS closed permanently that they wouldn't be suing the next day? (My opinions regarding Liberty notwithstanding I kind of feel they would have a point were that to happen.)

The way you create separation is to simply increase the standards. Enforce a 25K annual attendance, stipends to athletes of 2K dollars in addition to grant and aid. Just any number of things. Anything that can be justified. Regardless the forma AQ NEED do nothing to protect themselves because they see all the bottom conferences as a storm in a tea kettle.

The stipend to players is coming...book it!! That will end up being the difference between the haves and have nots. Only those with budgets large enough to accommodate $pend will be part of the club.

(04-11-2013 09:59 PM)TitanTopper Wrote:  The stipend to players is coming...book it!! That will end up being the difference between the haves and have nots.

Yep. You may see a division of the FBS ranks, split along this line.

Let Jmu in, then instate the Liberty Moratorium.

Ps. Skullymaroo, the current fbs count as of app state and GSU is at 129. So no 128 for you I'm afraid.

With a million a year on the line, the WAC may start back up soon or Liberty may buy the football rights.

If it doesn't end soon the big big boys are going to go there own way. If the club you are in doesn't fit you...start your own.

(04-11-2013 09:59 PM)TitanTopper Wrote:  The stipend to players is coming...book it!! That will end up being the difference between the haves and have nots. Only those with budgets large enough to accommodate $pend will be part of the club.

I don't know if the big guys really want that or not.

You then have the issues of college players unionizing at that point. $2000 isn't much is it? Coaches can just dismiss you from a team? What about grievance procedures and player's union lawyers?

Do students still support their school's teams if they aren't really just students anymore...but some sort of professional?

Faculty tolerates athletics now. Will there be a rebellion when the schools go pro?

Lots of questions.