AQ status requires 6 Playoff eligible teams Without a waiver. It appears to me that the WAC will field only 4 playoff eligible teams this fall, and that’s if UIW and Southern Utah complete their move to the WAC.

Sam Houston will not be eligible as the Bearcats transition to FBS.
Lamar wants to rejoin the SLC this fall
Utah Tech and Tarleton won’t completethe transition to D1 status until 2024.
UTRGV hasn’t started their program

That leaves returning members ACU and SFA along with new comers Southern Utah and UIW.

Unless I’m missing something the long term outlook is good but we come up short in the immediate future (2022 and 2023).

With the addition of Austin Peay to the ASUN in 2022, that should give the ASUN their 6 teams required (AP, UCA, JSU, EKU, UNA, & KSU). The AQ7 was only scheduled for 2021, so unless an extension is made I see the WAC in a difficult short term position. Lamar is completing their sports move in 2023, so they should still be WAC eligible for 2022. I would think a lot rides on Lamar. If they stay for 2022, that would leave the WAC with: Lamar, ACU, SFA, UIW, & Southern Utah. The WAC would still be left with a negotiation with the NCAA and some type of waiver. The following articel seems to point to the same thing, although UIW would replace SHSU after it was written: https://sportsenthusiasts.net/2021/10/07...ferences/. There is still a lot out on the table. Am I missing anyone?

(04-17-2022 12:31 PM)Outsider Wrote:  With the addition of Austin Peay to the ASUN in 2022, that should give the ASUN their 6 teams required (AP, UCA, JSU, EKU, UNA, & KSU). The AQ7 was only scheduled for 2021, so unless an extension is made I see the WAC in a difficult short term position. Lamar is completing their sports move in 2023, so they should still be WAC eligible for 2022. I would think a lot rides on Lamar. If they stay for 2022, that would leave the WAC with: Lamar, ACU, SFA, UIW, & Southern Utah. The WAC would still be left with a negotiation with the NCAA and some type of waiver. The following articel seems to point to the same thing, although UIW would replace SHSU after it was written: https://sportsenthusiasts.net/2021/10/07...ferences/. There is still a lot out on the table. Am I missing anyone?

JSU isn’t playoff eligible since they are transitioning to FBS, leaving the ASuN a team short. Even so. don’t think it’s possible to extend the AQ 7 concept to this year since schedules have been announced and contracts signed.

(04-17-2022 12:51 PM)OscarWildeCat Wrote:  

(04-17-2022 12:31 PM)Outsider Wrote:  With the addition of Austin Peay to the ASUN in 2022, that should give the ASUN their 6 teams required (AP, UCA, JSU, EKU, UNA, & KSU). The AQ7 was only scheduled for 2021, so unless an extension is made I see the WAC in a difficult short term position. Lamar is completing their sports move in 2023, so they should still be WAC eligible for 2022. I would think a lot rides on Lamar. If they stay for 2022, that would leave the WAC with: Lamar, ACU, SFA, UIW, & Southern Utah. The WAC would still be left with a negotiation with the NCAA and some type of waiver. The following articel seems to point to the same thing, although UIW would replace SHSU after it was written: https://sportsenthusiasts.net/2021/10/07...ferences/. There is still a lot out on the table. Am I missing anyone?

JSU isn’t playoff eligible since they are transitioning to FBS, leaving the ASuN a team short. Even so. don’t think it’s possible to extend the AQ 7 concept to this year since schedules have been announced and contracts signed.

Oops, already forgot about JSU's transition.

I think Sam Houston and Jax State count toward the number needed for an AQ, even though they aren’t playoff eligible.

(04-17-2022 07:03 PM)AssKickingChicken Wrote:  I think Sam Houston and Jax State count toward the number needed for an AQ, even though they aren’t playoff eligible.

That would work in both the WAC's and ASUN's favor if they did.

Maybe the WAC/ASUN joint league returns in 2023 until the D2 call ups in the WAC reach full D1 status.

(04-17-2022 07:03 PM)AssKickingChicken Wrote:  I think Sam Houston and Jax State count toward the number needed for an AQ, even though they aren’t playoff eligible.

That’s not what I’ve been hearing but I’d love to be wrong.

(04-18-2022 07:31 AM)OscarWildeCat Wrote:  

(04-17-2022 07:03 PM)AssKickingChicken Wrote:  I think Sam Houston and Jax State count toward the number needed for an AQ, even though they aren’t playoff eligible.

That’s not what I’ve been hearing but I’d love to be wrong.

Well the ASUN only has six football members (including Jax State) for 2022 so it better be that way for them.


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(04-18-2022 08:17 AM)AssKickingChicken Wrote:  

(04-18-2022 07:31 AM)OscarWildeCat Wrote:  

(04-17-2022 07:03 PM)AssKickingChicken Wrote:  I think Sam Houston and Jax State count toward the number needed for an AQ, even though they aren’t playoff eligible.

That’s not what I’ve been hearing but I’d love to be wrong.

Well the ASUN only has six football members (including Jax State) for 2022 so it better be that way for them.


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Same with the WAC. I looked on another board and there is confusion there as well- some are saying as long as Jax State is still in the ASUN and Sam is still in the WAC they count toward the 6 team minimum. Others are saying, nope, the rule requires 6 playoff eligible teams and both Jax State and Sam became ineligible when they started the transition to FBS.

I’m sure the Commissioners of both conferences are smart enough to have this all worked out regardless of our confusion.

My only source is “some guy on a message board”, so take it for what it’s worth.

I would imagine they both could get a waiver even though both only have five “real” FCS members. The WAC seems to have a better case for a waiver since they will be at the required threshold soon. The ASUN still just has five confirmed for 2023.

Why not just have the WAC and ASUN FCS teams merge for football only for a league called the A-WAC. If you can get the schools that aren't going to FBS to agree to this then there are zero waivers to worry about.

Austin Peay
Central Arkansas
Eastern Kentucky
Kennesaw State - Big South
Jacksonville State - CUSA
North Alabama - Big South

Sam Houston- CUSA
Stephen F. Austin
Abilene Christian
Tarleton
Utah Tech
UIW
SUU

(04-18-2022 10:13 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  Why not just have the WAC and ASUN FCS teams merge for football only for a league called the A-WAC. If you can get the schools that aren't going to FBS to agree to this then there are zero waivers to worry about.

Austin Peay
Central Arkansas
Eastern Kentucky
Kennesaw State - Big South
Jacksonville State - CUSA
North Alabama - Big South

Sam Houston- CUSA
Stephen F. Austin
Abilene Christian
Tarleton
Utah Tech
UIW
SUU

Seems like a very workable solution.

(04-18-2022 11:28 AM)OscarWildeCat Wrote:  

(04-18-2022 10:13 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  Why not just have the WAC and ASUN FCS teams merge for football only for a league called the A-WAC. If you can get the schools that aren't going to FBS to agree to this then there are zero waivers to worry about.

Austin Peay
Central Arkansas
Eastern Kentucky
Kennesaw State - Big South
Jacksonville State - CUSA
North Alabama - Big South

Sam Houston- CUSA
Stephen F. Austin
Abilene Christian
Tarleton
Utah Tech
UIW
SUU

Seems like a very workable solution.

Yet it makes too much sense.

The above A-WAC would be a very solid conference, but agree that it makes too much sense...