solohawks, BePcr07,

I do agree 12 is better than 11 for football, but I don't see anyone in footprint for the SWAC who helps them. In a way I think FAMU provides stability, as Mississippi Valley is struggling mightily, and has declined in enrollment to the size to that od Chicago State, with by far the smallest fan base, smallest budget, weakest revenue of the league and by a wide margin. Put another way MVSU may not last in D-I much longer than FAMU joining in July 2021. Until they are sure every member will be there in 5 years, I would not rush to find any 12th; and even then they need to be of value.

I don't know how the SWAC will handle their CCG. I guess they will play 6 East, 5 West, just add FAMU. They do play 8 games in conference, so having an odd number is not a problem. Probably FAMU doesn't play one East school on rotation until 2026, as they'd definitely want Southern always on the schedule, and Grambling often. I think that would be the easiest, and would disrupt the least. FCS doesn't have the CCG rules of FBS, so they can do what they want.

As for the Celebration Bowl, if the MEAC suffers more defections in the future, it may become an invitational for the non-SWAC opponent rather than for the MEAC champion. That is how I see it playing out.

(06-04-2020 01:44 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 01:38 PM)solohawks Wrote:  I think the SWAC will go for 12.

It would allow them to make their CCG exempt which means an extra conference game, or non conf game, for all. Right now everyone plays 11 games and leaves that 12th spot open for the SWAC championship game.

At 12 members that game becomes exempt and everyone can play 12 games

That is an idiotic statement. FCS only play 11 games by rule.

I did forget that 12 FCS game seasons were not standard and last season was due to the calendar anamoly.

In 2019 most SWAC teams played 11 regular season games when all other FCS conferences played 12.

I was under the impression all SWAC teams played 1 less game than all other FCS schools due the SWAC championship game not having the exempt status.

It looks like there wont be much benefit to getting the SWAC championship game as a certified exempt championship game so I stand corrected.

Realistically the SWAC could continue fairly easily at 11 with 7 conference games. No divisions, 4 permanent rivals with 3 rotating every year. In a 2 year span you would play everyone.

Due to their setup they may be under no pressure for 12.

The SWAC is free to play an 8 game conference schedule and still host its CCG.

I agree that the Celebration Bowl ought to become a SWAC vs at-large affair since the 7-member MEAC could potentially yield a 6-5 champ while NC A&T is sitting at 9-2 or 10-1. It would be an embarrassment to put a school like that in the mythical Black Football National Title Game.

(06-04-2020 06:56 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 01:44 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 01:38 PM)solohawks Wrote:  I think the SWAC will go for 12.

It would allow them to make their CCG exempt which means an extra conference game, or non conf game, for all. Right now everyone plays 11 games and leaves that 12th spot open for the SWAC championship game.

At 12 members that game becomes exempt and everyone can play 12 games

That is an idiotic statement. FCS only play 11 games by rule.

Realistically the SWAC could continue fairly easily at 11 with 7 conference games. No divisions, 4 permanent rivals with 3 rotating every year. In a 2 year span you would play everyone.

This is the best idea I’ve heard yet. Actually, I’d extrapolate it and mandate each D1 conference to have an odd number of teams and play 7 or 9 conference games but ban 6, 8, or 10.

(06-04-2020 07:06 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  The SWAC is free to play an 8 game conference schedule and still host its CCG.

I agree that the Celebration Bowl ought to become a SWAC vs at-large affair since the 7-member MEAC could potentially yield a 6-5 champ while NC A&T is sitting at 9-2 or 10-1. It would be an embarrassment to put a school like that in the mythical Black Football National Title Game.

The SWAC used to play 9 conference games with SWAC championship. The voluntarily cut it to 7 so they could play 4 OOC games.

Assuming they still want those 4 OOC games, a 7 game conference schedule for an 11 team league works out quite nicely without divisions.

Guys, the SWAC plays 8 games now. Look up any school you please and you'll see 8 SWAC games scheduled.

https://fbschedules.com/swac-football-schedule/

I also looked on the SWAC website, they play single round robin for Soccer (FAMU doesn't play women's soccer) and Tennis (matches not games), double round robin for Basketball and Volleyball (both genders). Baseball and Softball have divisions. Baseball you play everyone in your Division in two 3 game series, no cross over. Softball schedule is weird, they don't play everyone in their division, seems to be almost random set of 6 opponents for 3 game series.

I think things will proceed along those lines with FAMU. I suspect Baseball will stay at 24 games, but the East will set up a daisy chain, so each school misses one home series and one road series (i.e, FAMU may not play at MVSU, and not host Alabama State ... each school will have a different pair). Softball is messed up scheduling anyway, it'll continue to be that..

(06-04-2020 10:37 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 10:32 AM)Cyniclone Wrote:  

(06-03-2020 08:47 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Maybe B-C is the one dropping. You have to think if they were contemplating moving down they’d approach their biggest rival to see if the series would stay alive. Knowing they’d soon be alone, it makes sense to move out of the MEAC.

Would the SWAC even want them? Putting aside whatever existential issues that face them, their geography is problematic. It's one thing to extend to the Florida panhandle, it's another thing to go to the Atlantic Ocean. Florida's always going to be a weird fit for realignment purposes because it's such a dead end. Their best D1 hope might be A-Sun and FCS independence (or FB-only in the MEAC if that's an option still).

I wasn’t suggesting that B-C was also looking at a SWAC move but rather a move down to D2.

Ah, that's what I get for trying to post in the AM, waking up like I'm a farmer or something. I suppose B-C could go back to the SIAC, but that's a pretty spread-out conference by D2 standards. Would it be worth dropping for? I plead ignorance.

https://twitter.com/theswac/status/12686...43104?s=21

(06-04-2020 07:57 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 10:37 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 10:32 AM)Cyniclone Wrote:  

(06-03-2020 08:47 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Maybe B-C is the one dropping. You have to think if they were contemplating moving down they’d approach their biggest rival to see if the series would stay alive. Knowing they’d soon be alone, it makes sense to move out of the MEAC.

Would the SWAC even want them? Putting aside whatever existential issues that face them, their geography is problematic. It's one thing to extend to the Florida panhandle, it's another thing to go to the Atlantic Ocean. Florida's always going to be a weird fit for realignment purposes because it's such a dead end. Their best D1 hope might be A-Sun and FCS independence (or FB-only in the MEAC if that's an option still).

I wasn’t suggesting that B-C was also looking at a SWAC move but rather a move down to D2.

Ah, that's what I get for trying to post in the AM, waking up like I'm a farmer or something. I suppose B-C could go back to the SIAC, but that's a pretty spread-out conference by D2 standards. Would it be worth dropping for? I plead ignorance.

They do have a big footprint but they also do divisional play in many sports to help limit some of that travel. B-C would be plating a lot of Georgia schools if they went there, including old buddy Savannah St.

Looks like a positive move for FAMU and SWAC

Any smoke for #12 now?

(06-05-2020 07:01 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  Any smoke for #12 now?

There wasn’t even smoke for this one. They don’t need a #12 and their options are limited. Bethune-Cookman and SC State don’t bring anything and expands travel. 11 members gives you the ability to have 20 conference games if you wish.

(06-05-2020 10:01 AM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 07:01 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  Any smoke for #12 now?

There wasn’t even smoke for this one. They don’t need a #12 and their options are limited. Bethune-Cookman and SC State don’t bring anything and expands travel. 11 members gives you the ability to have 20 conference games if you wish.

The SWAC's white whale has long been Tennessee State, but they seem perfectly happy in the OVC. Maybe Albany State moves up? They're in southwest Georgia so they'd be in the footprint, their enrollment is larger than that of six SWAC schools, and their facilities appear to be acceptable by the conference standards.

(06-05-2020 11:40 AM)Cyniclone Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 10:01 AM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 07:01 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  Any smoke for #12 now?

There wasn’t even smoke for this one. They don’t need a #12 and their options are limited. Bethune-Cookman and SC State don’t bring anything and expands travel. 11 members gives you the ability to have 20 conference games if you wish.

The SWAC's white whale has long been Tennessee State, but they seem perfectly happy in the OVC. Maybe Albany State moves up? They're in southwest Georgia so they'd be in the footprint, their enrollment is larger than that of six SWAC schools, and their facilities appear to be acceptable by the conference standards.

Albany St. is having some financial difficulties. Zero chance.

(06-05-2020 12:32 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 11:40 AM)Cyniclone Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 10:01 AM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 07:01 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  Any smoke for #12 now?

There wasn’t even smoke for this one. They don’t need a #12 and their options are limited. Bethune-Cookman and SC State don’t bring anything and expands travel. 11 members gives you the ability to have 20 conference games if you wish.

The SWAC's white whale has long been Tennessee State, but they seem perfectly happy in the OVC. Maybe Albany State moves up? They're in southwest Georgia so they'd be in the footprint, their enrollment is larger than that of six SWAC schools, and their facilities appear to be acceptable by the conference standards.

Albany St. is having some financial difficulties. Zero chance.

Yeah, I know nothing about their inner workings, just their measurables vis a vis the SWAC, like enrollment and facility capacities and geography. If they're having financial issues then that probably shuts the door.

Well, with Florida A&M gone to the SWAC, it is being reported that South Carolina is the next one to leave MEAC for the Big South. B-C is in trouble now.

(06-04-2020 06:56 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 01:44 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 01:38 PM)solohawks Wrote:  I think the SWAC will go for 12.

It would allow them to make their CCG exempt which means an extra conference game, or non conf game, for all. Right now everyone plays 11 games and leaves that 12th spot open for the SWAC championship game.

At 12 members that game becomes exempt and everyone can play 12 games

That is an idiotic statement. FCS only play 11 games by rule.

I did forget that 12 FCS game seasons were not standard and last season was due to the calendar anamoly.

In 2019 most SWAC teams played 11 regular season games when all other FCS conferences played 12.

I was under the impression all SWAC teams played 1 less game than all other FCS schools due the SWAC championship game not having the exempt status.

It looks like there wont be much benefit to getting the SWAC championship game as a certified exempt championship game so I stand corrected.

Realistically the SWAC could continue fairly easily at 11 with 7 conference games. No divisions, 4 permanent rivals with 3 rotating every year. In a 2 year span you would play everyone.

Due to their setup they may be under no pressure for 12.

As someone who works at a SWAC school and has followed SWAC football for 25 years, I can certify that you reasoned your way to the correct conclusion. The SWAC can easily continue with 11 football teams and will add a 12th only if they provide real value.

(06-05-2020 12:41 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Well, with Florida A&M gone to the SWAC, it is being reported that South Carolina is the next one to leave MEAC for the Big South. B-C is in trouble now.

Who is reporting it?

Alan Saunders (Pittsburgh Sports Now --seems to be small online thing, a one man show) says SC State "could be a candidate ... to join the Big South". Strikes me more that he heard the name mentioned in a conversation, and made it sound like something is there.

There are probably a dozen schools who "could be" candidates for the Big South. Or it "could be" he made it up because he looked at a map and said, 'they would make sense'.

(06-05-2020 01:57 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  Alan Saunders (Pittsburgh Sports Now --seems to be small online thing, a one man show) says SC State "could be a candidate ... to join the Big South". Strikes me more that he heard the name mentioned in a conversation, and made it sound like something is there.

There are probably a dozen schools who "could be" candidates for the Big South. Or it "could be" he made it up because he looked at a map and said, 'they would make sense'.

I saw the article after I posted. Again, he takes a word and twists it into fact. I don’t believe for one second that the Big South would take SC St over other MEAC schools. The Big South doesn’t need more members.