http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnfo...3_2013.htm

That didn't work for me, found the Link Here though.

Ah, for a second I thought they would at least mention JMU as a powerhouse rather than Delaware. While this might help other FCS schools, would we be affected considering we have a deal with NBC Sports?

(06-14-2013 10:04 AM)JMU08 Wrote:  That didn't work for me, found the Link Here though.

Sorry about that. You have the correct link, thanks !

Hahaha Delaware as an Eastern power.

Great news if JMU drops the ball and doesn't move up to FBS!! But this TV deal prob will depend on how many FCS schools jump ship to FBS.

(06-14-2013 11:02 AM)All Dukes_All Day Wrote:  Hahaha Delaware as an Eastern power.

Gotta give UD some respect though. UD has played in the championship game three times (won it in 2003 and lost to App State (2007) and Eastern Washington (2010). More than JMU has since we won it all in 2004. :-(

i think this is the NCAA dictating to ESPN that they need to show more games to save FCS.

With earlier start dates, maybe FCS football will just get pushed to being a Spring/Summer sport

(06-14-2013 11:09 AM)jmuduukes2011 Wrote:  Great news if JMU drops the ball and doesn't move up to FBS!! But this TV deal prob will depend on how many FCS schools jump ship to FBS.

(06-14-2013 11:02 AM)All Dukes_All Day Wrote:  Hahaha Delaware as an Eastern power.

Gotta give UD some respect though. UD has played in the championship game three times (won it in 2003 and lost to App State (2007) and Eastern Washington (2010). More than JMU has since we won it all in 2004. :-(

I know, but they've also had a few bad teams in that time frame. They missed the playoffs in 08, 09, 11 and 12, and they were dreadful in 08 and 12. Hardly constintues a power in my opinion.

Article also said that MIDWEEK GAMES could be an option. One less reason to dislike a move to the MAC.

Sounds like a football version of bracket busters. It's good if you get a good matchup or on tv, otherwise it's rather blah.

It's blah either way.

The CAA teams won't need to worry about this, after pissing off ESPN by signing with NBC and dropping out of the MBB Bracket Buskers.

You know if this thing happens it will be a bunch of HBCU games because they are the only schools left in FCS that ESPN cares about.

(06-15-2013 07:40 PM)DaBigBlue Wrote:  The CAA teams won't need to worry about this, after pissing off ESPN by signing with NBC and dropping out of the MBB Bracket Buskers.

I thought the bracket busters thing was ESPN's FU to the CAA for signing the NBC deal, not the other way around.

The bracket busters ended this year.

Honest question - is this more to showcase FCS or to buy rights to show FCS, thereby ensuring no competitor takes market share? The latter question feels silly to write considering the ratings, but if I am an ESPN Exec, I am also looking to make sure other local competitors do not steal any market share, regardless of size, for the big games.

I have this feeling that no matter what happens, it will always be about the HBCUs and not the traditional power teams of the FCS. A few years ago they showed App St. steamroll Wofford on Halloween on ESPN or ESPN2. That was cool, but also a waste, as the nation just saw a blowout that most of us could have predicted between those two teams at that time. At least crApp St. showed well on TV in terms of gameday excitement. Solid, OOC games are not easy to find. The default is a huge HBCU alumni base that will get the best ratings. Unfortunately, their product really sucks, even compared to SLC. It makes FCS looks worse than it already is perceived to be.

In the end, it seems a nice gesture without anything of real value behind it.

Put money on these games being on a Tuesday or Wednesday night. Maybe Friday night even. No freaking way ESPN slots this stuff on a Saturday.