(02-13-2017 04:51 PM)MplsBison Wrote: The very real fact is that some G5 football programs spend closer to FCS than P5. On the other hand, some G5 spend closer to P5 than FCS.
Don't think you can unify all of G5 around this idea. Only those that want to be FBS, without spending P5 level money, but want to make sure they're still better than FCS.
G5 fall into three categories. About 5 are spending to get in the P5. Cincy, Houston, BYU, and UConn (because of Basketball budget) are in that group. I left a 5th one open, even though nobody really qualifies. They are all running heavy "strategic" deficits, like Rutgers did in the hope of crossing over (BYU a different animal). These programs are throwing in excess of $100m in the next 6-7 years at it, above high mid-majors, but without any additional revenue to speak of (save UConn Basketball).
A second group spends high mid-major, about 75-85% of the bottom P5 schools (Washington State who are undre orders from the Pac-12 to pick it up). Schools like Boise State, Memphis, the directional Florida schools, SDSU, SMU, and a half dozen others fall into this category. The deficits run in the $15m range annually, Boise State does the best froma budget standpoint.
Most (I'd say roughly 35 schools) spend about $30m a year give or take $5m, and run a deficit of $10-15m made up in student fees or indirectly through tuition or tax money via institutional transfers. (Worst case is probably EMU)
There re around ten bottom budget schools that are closer to FCS, many in the SBC (ULM stands out).
NIU speaks for the ~35-40 schools in the middle and lower. Aresco speaks for the ~15-20 at the top (basically the AAC and half a dozen others).
Posters from UConn, Cincy, Houstin, who are among the "dreamers" group and want to cross over to P5 absolutely don't want a hard division. And they have enough clout to block it even if the money were there. But looking at it long term, as in ten years from now or so, Frazier is right. By then I expect the P5 to have realigned a little, chipping off 2or 3 B12, and 3 to 5 G5 "dreamers" getting their wish to cross over. But then the door will be closed, and the debts payments due. With the dreamers diminished as a group (either made the promised land or busted trying) the division will be complete. Then Frazier's view will carry the day. He is just speaking a decade early.
As for expanding the playoff, it would do nothing for the G5. All that would do is put 5 P5 in automatically as conference champions, and 3 at-large which would always go to P5 schools. G5 would get a NY6 slot only, just like now.